Admission

MA in Philosophy

Aim of the program

The program primarily emphasizes research, involving independent philosophical research within one of the faculty’s specialized research areas. Graduate students are encouraged to select and enroll in courses from a diverse range of subjects that align with and enhance their research objectives. The program provides students with the skills to critically engage with classics in philosophy, offering students the opportunity to develop a strong understanding of the history of philosophy, encompassing both Western and Eastern traditions. Particularly, students also learn how to construct persuasive arguments for or against a philosophical thesis. Additionally, students can engage in specialized studies covering a wide array of philosophical issues and significant figures.

Course details

The research at the Faculty of Philosophy is centered around the study of Confucian classics, classical and modern political philosophy, phenomenology, ancient Greek philosophy, and German philosophy. The courses offered include the following:

Classics of Western Philosophy: Selected Readings

Classics of Chinese Philosophy: Selected Readings

Philology of Chinese Philosophy

The Monographic Study on Modern Western Philosophy

Pre-Qin Philosophy

Ancient and Medieval Western Philosophy

Introductory Greek (Bilingual)

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Highlights

• Engage in studies within a rich research environment facilitated by the Faculty of Philosophy, and with staff located in other faculties, including Chinese Language and Literature, as well as History.

• Benefit from a teaching approach that places a strong emphasis on the close reading of classical philosophical texts. This approach helps to enhance students’ research capabilities, as well as their broader analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Language skills are crucial for philosophical studies. Students have the opportunity to enroll in language courses, covering languages such as Ancient Greek, Latin, and German.

• A variety of academic activities, including regular lectures by esteemed scholars and engaging reading groups, are available.

MA in Chinese Language and Literature

Aim of the program

The program is committed to cultivating graduate students with specialized knowledge, research capabilities, and comprehensive skills in the study of Chinese language and literature. A diverse range of courses is designed to encourage graduate students to acquire a broad theoritical perspective, to refine their literary and aesthetic sensibilities, and to enhance their language and writing skills, while staying up-to-date with the latest developments in the discipline. The program seeks to cultivate researchers who are rich in critical thinking and innovative skills. Upon completion of this program, graduate students are poised to pursue PhD studies, to engage in teaching and research in Chinese language and literature and related disciplines, or to work in related fields such as journalism and publishing, modern media, and cultural industries.

Course details

The research at the Faculty of Chinese Language and Literature is centered around the study of theory of literature and art, modern and contemporary Chinese literature, ancient Chinese literature, study of Chinese classical text, linguistics and applied linguistics, Chinese philology, comparative literature and world literature, cultural studies, and literary anthropology. The curriculum consists of the following:

Frontier Topics in Chinese Language and Literature

Twentieth-century Chinese Culture and Social Thought: Selected Readings

Aesthetic and Critical Theory

Linguistic Theory and Methods

The Study of Ancient Chinese Literature: Perspectives and Methods

Classical Philology: Theory and Methods

Special Topics in Literary Anthropology

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Highlights

• The Faculty of Chinese Language and Literature, together with staff from various faculties, including Philosophy and History, create an active and interdisciplinary research environment.

• The department emphasizes the cross-disciplinary and critical dimensions of language, literature, and cultural studies. This approach helps students understand the complex factors that have historically situated the relationship between language, literature, and culture, thereby enhancing their ability to conduct research critically.

• Seven academic clusters conduct cutting-edge, interdisciplinary teaching, research, and public services, promoting student growth in a nurturing community of teachers and students.

• A multitude of high-quality academic activities are offered, including lectures by renowned scholars, high-level academic conferences, academic salons, and reading groups.

MA in Chinese History

The Department of History offers a 3-year master’s program that prepares students for employment in a number of fields, including teaching, government, and museum work. In past years, many students admitted to our program have ultimately gone on to pursue PhD degrees. The program primarily emphasizes research, involving independent historical research within one of the areas in Chinese history. Graduate students are encouraged to choose and attend courses from a wide range of subjects that are relevant to and can further their research goals. The program also provides students with the skills to critically engage with historical materials, offering them the opportunity to develop a strong understanding of Chinese history, spanning both ancient and modern periods.  

Course details

The research in the Department of History is centered around the study of ancient Chinese history, modern and contemporary Chinese history, specialized history and Chinese historical literature. The courses offered encompass the following:

Chinese Historical Documents and Historical Materials

Research Frontier of Chinese History

The Theory and Method of Chinese History Research

The Study of Ancient Chinese History

The Study of Modern and Contemporary Chinese History

Studies on Historical Documents

Topics in the Social Economic History of China

Topics in Chinese Political and Cultural History

The Study of Society and Culture in Modern China

Topics in the History of the Republic of China

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Highlights

• During the three-year MA program, students receive a graduate-level introduction to history as an academic discipline, together with methodological training in the craft of research and academic writing.

• They may engage in research within a rich academic environment facilitated by the Department of History, as well as the relevant departments of Chinese Language and Literature and the Department of Philosophy.

• A variety of academic activities are available, including various lectures by esteemed scholars and engaging reading groups.

(The Following Section May Be Useful for All Applicants)

Application requirements

General information for applying Chongqing University, including information for scholarships, can be found at: Application Guide for Postgraduate Programs for International Students

Additional entry requirements

Personal statement

Besides personal statements needed for applying Chongqing University (no more than 500 words), applicants should offer more detailed personal statements (no more than 1500 words in Chinese) for applying the college. The ‘longer’ personal statement should focus on applicants’ understanding of Chinese culture in detail, and their competence in their research fields.

Writing Sample

A writing sample (no more than 5000 words in Chinese or 3000 words in English) allows more precise evaluation of an applicant’s academic competitiveness, for he or she has to write theses as the local Chinese students do. Applying our graduate programs does demand a writing sample, so that we could evaluate the qualifications of the applicants better.

Interview

If the application materials meet our expectation, we will arrange interviews to help us assess the applicants more comprehensively.

After your degree

Careers

Our MA programs are designed to help students develop a wide range of essential skills, including general problem-solving abilities, effective communication, proficient writing, and persuasive capabilities. Additionally, MA students typically acquire a deeper understanding of their subject area and an enhanced capacity for critical analysis. This skill set opens up various career opportunities, including roles in public policy, journalism, publishing, financial services, marketing, and more.

Further study

If you have a genuine passion for your field of study and aspire to pursue a highly specialized career, such as academic positions or specialized research roles, pursuing a Ph.D. can provide an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and specialize in specific aspects of your field. Several of our MA students have opted to pursue further studies within our college or at other reputable universities, both domestically and internationally.