This programme lets you combine advanced Chinese Studies with a focused secondary subject. Based at the Institute for Chinese Studies in Erlangen, the curriculum offers informed perspectives on Chinese history and literature, global history, the history of science and technology, and the history of cultural exchange between Chinese-speaking countries and the West. Teaching and research are shaped by a broad range of topics and close collaboration with other FAU departments as well as national and international partners, which supports a nuanced understanding of Chinese-speaking societies past and present.
The MA is explicitly interdisciplinary and research-oriented: it pairs an in-depth training in Chinese Studies with a chosen specialisation in one additional discipline. You select one specialisation from English and American Studies, History, Sinology, Economics, or Political Science. A core element of the programme is intensive Chinese language instruction, including practice in academic translation of Chinese texts. The medium of instruction for the degree is English.
For international students, the English teaching language and the programme’s cross-disciplinary links make it suitable for those aiming to deepen both language competence and area studies expertise while engaging with contemporary research projects and collaborative academic networks.
Key facts and programme requirements
This MA runs over four semesters (typically two years) and comprises 120 ECTS in total. At least half of those credits (a minimum of 60 ECTS) are taken within the programme’s Chinese studies component, while 30 ECTS are reserved for the Master’s thesis. The remaining credits are filled by courses linked to the specialisation you choose: English and American Studies, History, Sinology, Economics, or Political Science.
Core elements of the curriculum are the Chinese studies modules (forming the programme’s foundation), the specialisation modules that bring in a disciplinary perspective, and the independently researched Master’s thesis. Graduates can expect to achieve advanced, discipline-specific knowledge in Chinese studies; the ability to analyse topics from the viewpoint of the selected specialisation; and the capacity to design and carry out independent research culminating in a substantial written thesis. The programme therefore combines in-depth subject knowledge with research training and interdisciplinary competence useful for academic and professional paths.
For a complete list of individual modules and detailed rules, consult the official degree programme and examination regulations and the programme’s module overview.
Requirements (concise)
This master's programme requires a prior degree with a solid background in China-related studies. Admissions are based on the amount of China-focused coursework you have taken, your overall final grade, and sometimes an additional assessment. International applicants should note that ECTS credit totals are used to measure coursework; 60 ECTS typically corresponds to one full academic year of study.
Prepare a clear letter of motivation that explains your academic interests, why you want to specialise in Chinese Studies (and any intended focus within history), and how your previous studies prepare you for the MA. If your degree uses a different grading scale or credit system, check with the admissions office about how equivalents are evaluated. Some applicants may also be asked to sit a qualification assessment exam to verify subject knowledge.
Admission requirements (summary)
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 February 2027
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
15 February 2027
Graduates leave the programme with strong language skills, area expertise and research experience, making them well positioned for research and further academic study (PhD) in Chinese Studies or related fields. The combination of Chinese Studies with a complementary specialisation also opens pathways into international organisations, cultural institutions, policy work, education, translation and consultancy roles where interdisciplinary China expertise and advanced language competence are required.
Because the degree develops both subject-specific knowledge and transferable research skills, alumni are likewise competitive for roles in business settings with China-related responsibilities, non-governmental organisations, and institutions engaged in cultural or academic exchange.