The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme from September 2026.
For students who entered the programme before September 2026, you can find the details of your programme: BA Modern Languages and Linguistics (Chinese)
Combine your passion for speaking languages with a fascination for how they work, by studying linguistics alongside one of ten languages. You'll develop the spoken and written skills in your chosen language and explore the cultures and histories of the countries where the language is spoken.
Developing expertise in linguistics will help you navigate the uniquely complex phenomenon of language. You’ll explore language acquisition, structure and change, the mental and social processes that shape and sustain human interaction, as well as phonetics – the study of how speech sounds are physically produced.
Studying a language will complement this expertise as you’ll be able to use these linguistic concepts and theories to enhance your language learning. Your year abroad will further enhance your language learning.
In your final year, you'll develop a project on a topic of your choice to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you have gained during this four-year degree.
This joint honours degree offers you teaching of the highest standard, in a research-intensive environment where enthusiastic experts and students come together to explore linguistics and languages. You’ll also be encouraged to get involved in a range of activities organised by the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies and Language@Leeds.
We offer the following languages at two entry levels: beginners or with prior experience (e.g. A-level or equivalent). If you have prior experience in Arabic, please contact us before applying:
* Arabic (from beginners' level only)
* Chinese
* French
* German
* Italian
* Japanese
* Portuguese
* Russian
* Spanish
* Thai
You must include your chosen language in the ‘Further Details’ section of your UCAS application.
(For students entering from September 2026 onwards)
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
At Level 1, students must study 120 credits. Students are required to take 60 credits in Linguistics and 60 credits in Chinese.
Students will be required to study the following compulsory
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAST1110 | Modern China: History and Culture | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| LING1100 | Language: Meaning and Use | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| MODL1060 | Language: Structure and Sound | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
Route A
Students with prior knowledge of Chinese will, subject to a placement test, be required to study the following modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAST1460 | Intermediate Chinese (1) | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| EAST1461 | Intermediate Chinese (2) | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
Route B
Students with no prior knowledge of Chinese will be required to study the following modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAST1030 | Beginners Chinese | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| EAST1035 | Post-Beginners Chinese | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
All students will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LING1065 | Languages of the World | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MODL1090 | Intercultural Competence: Theory and Application | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MODL1401 | Discourse, Culture and Identity | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
(For students entering from September 2026 onwards)
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
At Level 2, students must study 120 credits. Students are required to take a minimum of 40 credits in Linguistics and a minimum of 60 credits in Chinese. Overall, students must take 100 credits across their two subjects. The remaining 20 credits may be taken as discovery modules or as further options with Linguistics or Chinese. Please note that not all modules will be available every year.
Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAST2030 | Chinese Language Skills – 2A | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| EAST2031 | Chinese Language Skills – 2B | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| LING2330 | Phonetics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| LING2340 | Syntax | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
Students are required to study a minimum of 20 credits and may study up to 40 credits of the following optional modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAST2006 | China Since 1979 | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| EAST2126 | Classical Chinese | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| EAST2148 | Trauma Narratives in the Contemporary Sinophone World | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| EAST2360 | Chinese Cinema | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| EAST2711 | Civil Society and the Non-Profit Sector in Contemporary China | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| EAST2712 | An Introduction to Cantonese | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| EAST2717 | Society, Culture and Environment in Early Modern China | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Students may study up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LING2065 | Data Science for Linguists | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| LING2131 | Psycholinguistics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| LING2360 | The Life Cycle of Languages | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| LING2370 | Representation, Identity and Control | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| LING2380 | Language and Gender | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| LING2390 | Language Acquisition | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| LING2410 | Language Change | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| LING2420 | Interactional Linguistics | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| LING2421 | Multilingualism in Society | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Students may study up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODL2090 | Languages in Action: from Theory to Practice | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| MODL2250 | Digital Communications Across Cultures | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Students may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.
(For students entering from September 2026 onwards)
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Students will be required to study the following compulsory module:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODL9500 | LCS Year Abroad | 120 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
(For students entering from September 2026 onwards)
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
At Level 3, students must study 120 credits. Students are required to take a minimum of 40 credits in Chinese and a minimum of 40 credits in Linguistics. Overall, students must take 100 credits across their two subjects. The remaining 20 credits may be taken as discovery modules or as further options with Linguistics or Chinese. Please note that not all modules will be available every year.
All students must take 40 credits as a Final Year Project (FYP) module, which can be taken in - and count towards - either of their two subjects (EITHER Linguistics OR Chinese).
All students will be required to study the following compulsory module:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAST3275 | Chinese 3: Advanced Skills | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
All students will be required to study ONE of the following Final Year Project (FYP) modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LING3200 | Linguistics Dissertation | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| MODL3050 | Final Year Project | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
Students who take their FYP in Linguistics (LING3200) may take up to 40 credits from the following list of optional modules.
Students who take their FYP in Chinese (MODL3050) are required to take a minimum of 40 credits from the following list of optional modules.
Students who take their FYP in Chinese (MODL3050) are required to take a minimum of 40 credits from the following list of optional modules.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LING3065 | Experimental Syntax | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| LING3180 | Language and Gender | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| LING3190 | Language Acquisition | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| LING3220 | Representation, Identity and Control | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| LING3250 | The Life Cycle of Languages | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| LING3290 | Language Change | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| LING3310 | Interactional Linguistics | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| LING3350 | Language Processing | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| LING3390 | Linguistic Technologies | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| LING3421 | Multilingualism in Society | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| LING3600 | Sociophonetics | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Students who take their FYP in Linguistics (LING3200) are required to take a minimum of 20 credits and may take up to 40 credits from the following lists of optional modules (from Basket 1 AND Baskets 2). Students who take their FYP in Chinese (MODL3050) may take up to 20 credits from the following lists of optional modules (from EITHER Basket 1 OR Baskets 2).
Basket 1
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAST3015 | Religion in China | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| EAST3020 | Civil Society and the Non-Profit Sector in Contemporary China | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| EAST3120 | Classical Chinese | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| EAST3148 | Trauma Narratives in the Contemporary Sinophone World | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| EAST3541 | Specialised Chinese Readings in Context | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Basket 2
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODL3130 | Languages in Action: from Theory to Practice | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| MODL3620 | Decolonial Approaches | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MODL3650 | Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
All students may study up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODL3620 | Decolonial Approaches | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MODL3650 | Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MODL3800 | Linguists into Schools | 20 |
All students may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.
Last updated: 30/04/2026 16:10:01
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team