MPhil in Traditional East Asia

The MPhil in Traditional East Asia examines the Sinitic tradition and its development and adaptations in China, Korea, and Japan. It will appeal to students wishing to develop an intimate knowledge of the region.

On arrival, students are required to have proficiency in at least one East Asian language (Chinese, Korean, or Japanese).

Your first-year work has three parts.

Modern Language

Classical Language

Colloquium

Your second-year work has three parts.

Thesis

Prescribed Texts

Bibliography and Methodology

Assessment

In the first year, you will take two examinations at the end of the third term. One will be in a modern language. The second will be in a classical language.

You will also be assessed on three essays from the first, second, and third terms of your first year.

In the second year, you will prepare a thesis of using information gathered through at least one East Asian language. You will present your interim research results at one public colloquium held at the end of the fifth term. The thesis is due during the sixth term. The last time you are able to consult your supervisor for the thesis is one month before the due date.

At the end of the sixth term, you will sit one examination on the Prescribed Texts you have prepared in your chosen classical language, and you will be given a take-home examination to assess your knowledge of classical Bibliography and Methodology in your chosen field (Korea, Japan, or China).

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any subject.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.5 out of 4.0. However, selection of candidates also depends on other factors in your application and most successful applicants have achieved higher GPA scores.