Chinese and International Relations - BA (Hons)

University of Westminster, London

Our Chinese and International Relations course focuses on questions of governance, democracy and human rights while training competent Chinese linguists ready to enter graduate employment.This course will enable you to achieve a good or high level of linguistic competence in Chinese in all four skill areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking), and a critical understanding of culture and politics from the perspective of the changing dynamics of the global political order. You'll have the opportunity to study language, culture and international relations in an integrated way, exploring the connections between them and the broader geopolitical and cross-cultural contexts in which they are produced. You'll also gain the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.We place particular emphasis on employability and the contemporary cultural context and offer high-quality teaching in all language skills.Our Chinese courses are only available to beginner or intermediate entrants – intermediate entrants are students who have obtained or might be studying for an A level in Chinese, or who might have achieved the equivalent of HSK Chinese Proficiency Test Level 3. Please note that we may need to test you to determine your entry point.You'll develop a high level of competence in oral and written communication in Chinese, proficiency in language transfer skills, a thorough knowledge of Chinese culture, and the ability to thrive linguistically in diverse cultural situations.You'll have the opportunity to spend a full academic year abroad at a partner institution and/or, depending on your language level, an approved form of employment in a country where Chinese is the official language. You can also study an elective module from across the University in each year.Professional recognitionThe University of Westminster is a Higher Education Language partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists.CareersCareer developmentAs part of the degree, you'll have the opportunity to spend an academic year abroad at a partner institution and/or, depending on your language level, in an approved form of employment in a Chinese-speaking country, enabling you to develop your language skills in a real-world setting. You may have the opportunity to work as a paid language assistant in a foreign school or undertake a work (or volunteering) placement, both of which provide valuable opportunities to boost employability while improving language competence.Job rolesThis course prepares graduates for roles and industries including:Bilingual consultantInternational affairs consultantInternational organisations, NGOs and charitiesInterpreterPublic relations expertGraduate employersPrevious graduates of our Chinese, Arabic, French, or Spanish and International Relations courses have found positions with organisations including:British CouncilDeutsche BankEuropean ParliamentItalian Trade AgencyTransPerfectInternship opportunitiesThe University of Westminster is part of an ongoing collaboration with the United Nations Migration Agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM).As part of this, Politics and International Relations students in their second or third year of undergraduate study can apply for 3-9 month internship opportunities at IOM offices around the world, including in Geneva, Vienna, Dhakka and London.The internships, which are open to students completing their second year of studies and beyond, focus on a host of topics from migration governance to mission support, policy and liaison, and information management.