Arts - Chinese Studies
Our BA degree programme at University College Cork is the gateway to the immense and exciting possibilities of education. We offer a wide variety of subjects across diverse fields – this allows you the flexibility and opportunity to choose your career pathway or postgraduate route.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Other Language O6/H7
Chinese Studies (Group 3)
This subject is available in First Arts and thereafter as a 10-credit subject in the Single Subject Programme or as a 20-credit subject in the Major Subject Programme in the three year BA Degree. Students wishing to continue with Chinese Studies as a 30- or 40-credit subject must make an application seeking the approval of CACSSS to transfer to the BA (International). All such applications are subject to examination results and availability of places. These students will spend the third year of their degree studying at an approved university in China and return to UCC to complete their degree programme in Fourth Year.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
What can Chinese studies graduates offer employers?
Communicate on a wide range of topics in Mandarin Chinese (speak, read and write in Chinese)
Solid academic training with excellent writing and presentation skills
Deep understanding of the various aspects of history and culture of China and East Asia
Academic expertise on East Asian economies and societies, and their embeddedness in a global context
Highly developed leadership and team working abilities, cross-cultural awareness and flexibility
Understanding of the Chinese market and the needs of the East Asian consumer
Thorough knowledge of the legal, cultural and entrepreneurial challenges of doing business in Asia
Chinese business and entrepreneurial skills informed by practical case studies of Chinese and foreign companies
Understanding of the political and economic environment of doing business in China.
Academic writing and research skills embedded in a cross-cultural and multilingual context.
Deep appreciation of the theory and practice of Chinese business and conflict management
Understand the specific cultural and organisational aspects of Chinese business
Interdisciplinary problem solving and highly-developed organizational skills tailored to a cross-cultural environment
Act as mediators, negotiators and translators in cross-cultural settings across the Sinosphere
Further information
September 2026
CK101 Arts: Approximate Available Places 50
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
CK101 Arts: Approximate Available Places Overall 500
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
This programme gives you the space to explore your options. Ultimately you will not only excel in specific subject knowledge you will develop those intellectual, social and management skills essential for today’s working environment.
Our Arts CK101 programme is a full-time three-year honours programme, based at the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences (CACSSS). If you wish to spend a year abroad at one of our partner institutions in Europe and beyond, you can apply to our four-year Arts (International) CK108 programme which is open to language and non-language students.
Subject options on registration: Students choose four subjects from the list below in Year 1, with not more than one subject from any group.
Students continue with 2 of these subjects in Years 2 & 3:
Group 1: Asian Studies, Computer Science***, History, Portuguese
Group 2(a)*: History of Art
Group 2(b)*: European Studies, Folklore, Gaeilge/Irish, Greek and Roman Civilisation, Studies in Psychology****
Group 3: Archaeology, Chinese Studies, German, Latin***, Mathematical Studies, Politics
Group 4: French, Sociology, Studies in Music
Group 5: Béaloideas, Economics, English, Greek***, Religions and Global Diversity
Group 6(a)**: Geography, Italian
Group 6(b)**: Celtic Civilisation, Philosophy, Spanish
*Groups 2(a) and 2(b): Students can combine History of Art with any subject from Group 2(a) in Year 1 only.Students can only study one subject from Groups 2(a) and 2(b) in Years 2 & 3.
**Groups 6(a) and 6(b): From Year 2, students may combine Italian with Spanish, but students may not combine Italian with Celtic Civilisation or Philosophy; or Geography with Celtic Civilisation, Philosophy or Spanish.
***These subjects are available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 10-credit subject in the Single Subject Programme
****This subject is available in Year 1 only
Chinese Studies (Group 3)
This subject is available in First Arts and thereafter as a 10-credit subject in the Single Subject Programme or as a 20-credit subject in the Major Subject Programme in the three year BA Degree. Students wishing to continue with Chinese Studies as a 30- or 40-credit subject must make an application seeking the approval of CACSSS to transfer to the BA (International). All such applications are subject to examination results and availability of places. These students will spend the third year of their degree studying at an approved university in China and return to UCC to complete their degree programme in Fourth Year.
Chinese Studies combines the study of Chinese language with various disciplines to develop your interest in and knowledge of the history, culture, economy, politics, religion and philosophy of China. It will provide you with exciting opportunities in study, research and careers.
Chinese Studies is available as a subject through the and programmes. In the BA International Degree, you study the language more intensely through the option of spending Year 3 at one of our partner universities in China.
You also have the option to take Chinese Studies as a sole subject in Year 1 and as a minor subject in Years 2 and 3.
Modules:
Year 1 Modules:
CH1000 An Introduction to Chinese Culture and Society (5 credits)
CH1001 Chinese Language (Mandarin) (10 credits)
Year 2 Modules:
Chinese Language (Mandarin); An Introduction to Business in China; A Continuous Revolution – China in the 20th Century; Chinese Politics & Society; Popular Culture in East Asia
Year 3*/4 Modules:
Chinese Language; Dissertation; Readings in Contemporary Chinese Culture & Current Affairs; Ethnicity, Class & Gender in China; Sport, Culture & Chinese Society - A Comparative Study plus credits from the chosen Arts module continued from Second Arts (International)
*BA International students will spend third year studying at a University in China. They will return to complete Year 4 in UCC.
Dr Julia Schneider
julia.schneider@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 3011
http://www.ucc.ie/en/asian/