HSPS or Chinese Studies

I really want to apply to Cambridge but I am having a dilemma.

I initially was going to apply for their Asian and Middle Eastern course because I like learning about China, but since it is a niche course and not all Russel group unis have them, I've been applying to International relations and politics for them. But now I just feel like it's pointless to apply for Chinese Studies when there is HSPS at Cambridge, cause writing the personal statement is kind of difficult when im basing it off wanting to do international relations, but it's focus point is on China.

Should I might as well apply for HSPS then, even though my interest is in learning about China?

Reply 1

Anonymous #2

I would say do Chinese studies because HSPS is so broad, you will have to learn about other things like anthropology so if your main interest is the study of china, Ur personal statement will fit AMES. As for universities, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Manchester, Durham, Sheffield, Leeds, Cardiff, Newcastle, Liverpool all have Chinese studies. Also many Russell unis have flexible combined honours like Exeter where you can actually choose any subjects and make it a degree (eg. Chinese and IR)

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by Anonymous

I really want to apply to Cambridge but I am having a dilemma.

I initially was going to apply for their Asian and Middle Eastern course because I like learning about China, but since it is a niche course and not all Russel group unis have them, I've been applying to International relations and politics for them. But now I just feel like it's pointless to apply for Chinese Studies when there is HSPS at Cambridge, cause writing the personal statement is kind of difficult when im basing it off wanting to do international relations, but it's focus point is on China.

Should I might as well apply for HSPS then, even though my interest is in learning about China?

If you're interested in studying Chinese I would not limit your considerations to only Russell Group unis (I woiuldn't suggest this anyway as the RG is a political lobbying group masquerading as a research consortium and in any event this has no influence on undergraduate teaching). Generally the best or second best place to be for studying Chinese would mostly likely be SOAS as they are specialists in teaching the language (and other non-European languages) and have a phenomenal reputation internationally in countries speaking the target language usually.

Bear in mind a degree in Chinese (whether through AMES at Cambridge or Chinese/Chinese Studies elsewhere) involves a lot of intensive language study. You will need to be willing and motivated for this to succeed in such a course. If you are just interested in China in terms of the politics and not in terms of Chinese language and culture, don't apply to a course in AMES or Chinese (Studies). If you're interested in the latter or both, then I would recommend aiming for a degree in Chinese (Studies) or AMES.

Equally you probably want to find somewhere with a dedicated Chinese/Asian Studies department if planning to do a degree in Chinese (Studies), rather than somewhere that just happens to offer a bunch of modules in Mandarin. East Asian Languages are renowned to be difficult to learn and, more importantly, difficult to teach. You realistically want to study such a course at a university with a long track record of teaching in that subject area with dedicated staff and departmental support (e.g. Leeds, Oxbridge, SOAS), rather than somewhere just offering it through a language centre (e.g. LSE).

Reply 3

Wired_1800

20

Original post by Anonymous

I really want to apply to Cambridge but I am having a dilemma.
I initially was going to apply for their Asian and Middle Eastern course because I like learning about China, but since it is a niche course and not all Russel group unis have them, I've been applying to International relations and politics for them. But now I just feel like it's pointless to apply for Chinese Studies when there is HSPS at Cambridge, cause writing the personal statement is kind of difficult when im basing it off wanting to do international relations, but it's focus point is on China.
Should I might as well apply for HSPS then, even though my interest is in learning about China?

HSPS

HSPS or Chinese Studies

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