Master of Arts (Chinese Culture and Language) Coursework Program

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The M.A. by Coursework programme is structured around course requirements with no dissertation requirement. Students will be expecting programmes to involve attendance at formal classes, seminars, laboratories and written examinations. As part of the assignments, some courses also require the candidate to undertake a project.

Program Structure

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CORE COURSES	+	ELECTIVE COURSES	=	TOTAL
2 courses CHC5101 CHC5102		8 courses		10 courses

* Students will have to read 10 courses in total and are not required to write a dissertation.
* Students would be allowed to choose all CHC coded courses, and all Level 5000 and Level 6000 CH courses, except “CH6770 Graduate Research Seminar” as electives for the graduation requirements of MA(CCL) program. However, students who intend to read CH courses are to take note of the following
(a) Students are only allowed to read a maximum of 2 CH Level 5000/6000 courses per semester
(b) Students are to take note that the courses with overlapping content should not be taken
(c) This new program structure is effective from Cohort AY2018/2019 onwards
(d) As this is subject to department’s approval, please complete the application form and submit to the department’s person-in-charge before the deadline

Full-Time

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A fulltime candidate must take at least three courses in a semester and may take up to a maximum of five courses in a semester

Minimum candidature: 1 years
Maximum candidature: 3 years

Part-Time

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A part-time candidate must take at least one course in a semester and may take up to a maximum of three courses in a semester

Minimum candidature: 2 years
Maximum candidature: 4 years

Graduation Requirement

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1. Masters candidates will read a total and maximum of ten courses, out of which two are essential courses, one on Chinese history and literature (CHC5101) and another on Chinese linguistics (CHC5102).
2. A candidate who fails an essential course may be permitted to retake the same essential course in a subsequent academic year. Each essential course can only be retaken once. A candidate who fails an elective course may be permitted to either retake the same elective course, or replace the failed course by taking another elective course in a subsequent semester in his/her course of study. Candidates will be allowed to repeat one-third of the curricular requirements not exceeding three courses, whichever is lower.
3. However, the student will have to pay at 1/10 of the tuition fees per course for any retake or replacement course.
4. Candidates must pass ten courses (including 2 core courses) as well as attain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00.
5. Where applicable, obtain satisfactory grades (at least grade C) in the graduate English courses conducted by the Centre for English Language Communication at intermediate level

 

Semesters

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• Semester I: August – November/December
• Semester II: January – April

PhD by Research

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Students not only acquire in-depth knowledge of Chinese Studies, they would possess the ability to pursue independent research in his/her proposed field of advanced study. Supervision is available in the following areas: Chinese Linguistics, Chinese Literature, Chinese History, Chinese Philosophy, Translation between Chinese and English, Southeast Asian Chinese Studies etc.

The research degree provides training in a particular subject area through independent investigation, study and experimental work, culminating in the submission of a thesis on the research undertaken. A supervisor or supervisors will be appointed for each candidate. Candidates are required to attend appropriate lectures and sit for written examinations.

Program Structure

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Coursework Requirement	+	PhD Theses	+	PhD Qualifying Examination
At least 8 courses at least 4 Level 6000 courses at most 2 Level 4000 course Compulsory course: CH6770 Optional: 2 Level 5000/6000 module from another department/faculty		150,000 – 250,000 characters (Chinese)

* Scholars are expected to read a minimum of 2 graded courses per semester, which must count towards their GPA
* It is compulsory for all full time by research students to attend all seminars/talks/QE examination organized by the department. This, however, does not include events by research groups. Otherwise, a formal letter to explain his/her absence will be required.
* Students will be given an S/U option for one non-CH Level 5000 or Level 6000 course.
* This new program structure is effective for Cohort AY2018/2019 onwards

Full-Time/Part-Time Candidature

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Maximum candidature: 5 years

PhD Dissertation Committee

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All students must consult with their supervisors on the committee membership and inform the department about the committee at the beginning of the 3rd semester. Upon approval, the department will formally appoint all committee members. Please note that only one external member is allowed.

PhD Qualifying Examination

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Candidates must satisfy the following conditions before they sit for PhD Qualifying Examination.
Submission periods:

1. Have completed a minimum of 5 courses with a minimum GPA of 3.5
2. Where applicable, obtained satisfactory grades (at least grade C) in the CELC graduate English course at intermediate level

Qualifying Examination comprises of the following components:

1. Comprehensive examinations ( 1 Major field and 1 Minor field)
2. 30-50 page thesis proposal
3. Oral Examination of PhD thesis proposal (minimum 2 weeks after thesis proposal has been submitted)

*Please note that candidates should pass the QE within the first two years of their candidature. A second PhD QE may be attempted during this period should the candidate fail the first attempt. This applies to both full-time and part-time candidates. For research scholars, their scholarship will only be suspended upon the recommendation of the Department.
*Should a candidate fails to clear the PhD QE by the end of the second year of candidature, he/she may be downgraded to the Masters programme if he/she can complete a reasonably good Masters thesis. For research scholars, the scholarship in such cases will be terminated. Otherwise, the candidature of such students will be terminated.

PhD Thesis Oral Examination

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Duration of the oral examination is approximately two hours. The examination comprises of the following components:

1. Oral presentation (15-20 minutes and should not exceed 30 minutes)
2. Oral defence/open discussion
   • Give a brief overview of the thesis
   • Discuss key findings and new contributions made to the field
   • Justify methodology and theoretical framework used
   • Analyze implications of study for future research, policy and other applications
   • Answer any question raised on the subject matter of the research thesis and related subjects satisfactorily

*Other faculty members may attend the oral examination

Research Groups

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All full time students must join at least 1 of the department's research groups. Please discuss your research interest with your supervisors before registering with the department’s administrative person-in-charge.

Bi-annual Research Progress Report

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Content: Summary of work done in the previous semester and work to be done in the current semester.
Submission periods:

1. August : for assessment of research progress in Semester 2 of the precious Academic Year
2. January: for assessment of research progress in Semester 1 of the current academic year

*For scholars, the semestral progress report will be taken into account for scholarship renewal. Please note that scholarship will be suspended if research progress report is not submitted by the deadline.
*Students who are in their first semester of study are not required to submit the Research Progress Report.

Graduate Assistantship Programme (GAP)

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Scholars with NUS Research Scholarship (RS) or Tuition Fee Allowance (TFA) who are admitted from AY2014/2015 are required to perform designated hours of duties listed below under the Graduate Assistantship Programmes (GAP). Please ensure that the total hours required under GAP is completed at least 6 months before thesis submission.

1. Students may be required by his/her supervisor to perform Research Assistant duties without additional pay, for up to 6 hours per week, which may be counted towards the required number of hour under GAP, where applicable.
2. Students may be required by Department to assist in teaching or other department work without additional pay, but the hours would be counted toward GAP, where applicable.
   • < 2 hours of tutorial per week
   • Preparation work for teaching
   • Marking of assignments and examination answer scripts
   • 2 invigilation duties per semester

*All Teaching Assistants are required to attend the training courses offered by CDTL within their first year of candidature.
Please download the application form here.

Graduation Requirement

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1. PhD candidates must pass Qualifying Examination, PhD thesis and Oral Examination as well as attain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5
2. PhD candidates must not fail more than 2 courses
3. At least 50% of the total unit requirements under coursework requirement must be at level 6000. Up to 25% of the total unit requirements under coursework requirement may be at level 4000.
4. PhD students will have to meet the continuation requirements in which his/her GPA should not fall below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters or 3.5 for three consecutive semesters.
5. Where applicable, obtain satisfactory grades (at least grade C) in the graduate English courses conducted by the Centre for English Language Communication at intermediate level within two years of candidature.

*With approval of the Department, students may opt for two Independent Study Courses which is designed to enable students to explore an approved topic of the discipline in depth. Before application for this course, the student should approach a lecture to decide on an agreed topic, readings and assignments for the course. After which, a formal written agreement should be drawn up, giving a clear description of the topic, programme of study, assignments, evaluation as well as other pertinent details. Please note that 2 Independent Study Courses should be consulted by 2 different supervisors respectively.
*Students who wish to write their Master’s theses in English must seek the support of the supervisor and secure written approval from the Graduate Coordinator.

Semesters

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• Semester I: August – November/December
• Semester II: January – April

Leave Matters

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Students who would like to attend conferences, participate in field trips, take up research attachments or read courses related to their research areas in other institutions have to seek approval from the Department. In particular, permission must be obtained from both the supervisor and the department for overseas trips.