BA Politics and Chinese

One of the most exciting parts of this degree is how much of your learning happens beyond the classroom. From your very first year, you’ll be supported with modern language facilities, digital resources, and opportunities to practise your Chinese in real-life settings. The highlight for most students is the year abroad, where you’ll live and study in a Chinese-speaking country—bringing the language and culture to life in a way no textbook ever could.

To give you a sense of what this looks like in practice:

• Year Abroad Adventure – You’ll spend up to a year in China, Taiwan or Hong Kong, fully immersed in the language, culture, and even the politics you’ve been studying. This is where your classroom learning really becomes part of your daily life.

• Language Centre Facilities – You’ll have access to the University Language Centre, complete with multimedia resources, interpreting suites, recording rooms, and specialist software designed to sharpen your speaking and listening skills.

• 24/7 Study Spaces – The Alan Gilbert Learning Commons offers a modern, flexible environment that’s open day and night—perfect for group projects, independent study, or catching up on digital tools for language learning.

• Cultural Treasures on Campus – You’re never far from inspiration: from the historic John Rylands Library to the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum, you’ll find plenty of places that enrich your studies and spark new ideas.

• Citywide Cultural Partners – Through the Confucius Institute and other international cultural centres in Manchester, you’ll get to join workshops, events, and community projects that connect your studies with the wider world.

• Student Societies – The Chinese Studies Society and other language clubs create a welcoming community where you can practise, make friends, and even join cultural trips.

A degree in Politics and Chinese from Manchester opens doors in the UK and worldwide. Employers are always on the lookout for graduates who can combine sharp political understanding with the ability to communicate in Mandarin—one of the most in-demand languages for global business. Many students go on to work in exciting areas such as government, international business, communications, law, and the non-profit sector. Typical roles include policy advisor, civil servant, marketing executive, international business consultant, and teacher.

And to help you get there, the University gives you strong support throughout your journey:

• Dedicated Careers Service – offering advice, mentoring, and opportunities while you study and for two years after graduation.

• Top graduate destinations – alumni move into sectors like marketing, banking, management, media, and the Civil Service.

• Employer recognition – Manchester is consistently ranked among the UK’s most-targeted universities by leading graduate recruiters.

• Global outlook – your year abroad in a Chinese-speaking country (China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan) boosts your confidence, cultural awareness, and employability.

• Long-term value – the course sits in a UK Top-10 ranking for Modern Languages (QS 2024), giving your degree lasting prestige.

 Further Academic Progression

If you’re keen to keep studying after your BA, you’ll have plenty of options. Many graduates continue to postgraduate degrees in areas such as International Relations, Chinese Studies, Public Policy, or Business. Others take professional training routes like the PGCE for teaching or conversion courses in law or accountancy. With your combined expertise in politics and Mandarin, you’ll also be well-placed to pursue research pathways such as an MPhil or PhD.