China awaits for the savvy student

Edge Hill University has launched two unique courses in response to China's growing emergence as a global power.

From September, Chinese Studies will be available as a joint honours programme with either English or Business. 

China is now the fastest-growing economy in the world and one of the world's top exporters, attracting millions of dollars in foreign investment.  

This rapid growth has triggered a huge demand for more people with an understanding of Chinese culture and knowledge of its main language, Mandarin. 

Edge Hill's new programmes aim to go some way to meet this demand by producing a generation of "China-friendly" graduates, while also opening up vital links with China and Chinese communities in the UK.

English and Chinese Studies Programme Leader Richard Xiao, said:

"Business leaders in the UK and across Europe see China as their greatest opportunity with an economy expected to be worth in excess of £2568 billion during 2009.  But at the same time, global executives have signalled their concern that many of their senior managers lack the skills and experience to work effectively in China.

"Graduates with Chinese language skills and an understanding of Chinese culture are still seen as a scarce resource."

The English and Chinese Studies programme allows students to develop cultural competence in Chinese while also pursuing modules in English Language. 

What sets it apart from courses offered elsewhere is an additional option to study English Literature.  This is expected to be highly appealing to students with an eye on a teaching career, allowing them to progress directly onto a PGCE English or PGCE Mandarin course.

Proficiency in Chinese and a practical knowledge of China is also likely to improve the employability of graduates seeking jobs in government departments, British embassies and consulates and in UK service sectors such as international trade, banking and investment. 

The Chinese Studies and Business programme is designed to meet the needs of UK businesses of all types dealing with China, either as a competitor or a partner. 

The programme equips students with the essential knowledge and skills of doing business with or in China. 

Alongside language skills and cultural awareness, students will develop their knowledge of business environments and practices in China and in the wider Chinese-speaking communities. 

Both Chinese Studies programmes are also unique in their more accessible learning methods, enabling students to develop their language skills assisted by the latest technology rather than learning to handwrite thousands of Chinese characters, as on many courses.

Richard Xiao added: "Learning Chinese can be enjoyable even for people who have not studied languages previously.

"These are degrees for savvy students who want to get ahead of the game.  The rise of China as an economic powerhouse means that now is the time to seize the hour, seize the day and seize the China Century."

For details on the BA (Hons) English and Chinese Studies programme or the BA (Hons) Chinese Studies and Business programme, visit edgehill.ac.uk/chinese.

To request a prospectus please contact our enquiries unit on Freephone 0800 195 5063 or enquiries@edgehill.ac.uk.