Sinology (Humanistic Education) (DipHE)
The Sinology (Humanistic Education), DipHE offers a comprehensive two-year introduction to the profound intellectual and moral heritage of ancient China. Through close study of classical texts and philosophical traditions, students explore how early Chinese thinkers approached the cultivation of human excellence—a legacy that continues to inspire contemporary thought.
This programme is taught in English, making the insights of Chinese civilization accessible to international students. Covering essential topics like Chinese philology, Confucian classics, and pre-modern educational systems, the course provides a solid foundation in the principles that have historically shaped Chinese society. Students gain an understanding of the values and social frameworks that informed traditional Chinese culture, with a focus on the relevance of these ideas to modern issues.
Following an interdisciplinary approach, the DipHE connects fields such as history, literature, and philosophy to offer students a well-rounded understanding of Chinese humanistic education. By examining ancient economic and social principles, students gain valuable insights into Chinese society’s development and sustainability, insights that remain significant today.
This programme also includes introductory Mandarin Chinese lessons, enabling students to further immerse themselves in Chinese culture and history. This language skill supports students’ studies and provides a useful foundation for future engagement in global contexts.
Focused on practical application and cultural accessibility, the DipHE in Sinology prepares students for careers in education, government, administration, and roles requiring intercultural insight. This course offers an enriching journey into humanistic learning, providing students with adaptable skills and knowledge that resonate across cultures and time.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
This DipHE in Sinology (Humanistic Education) provides an accessible, interdisciplinary exploration of Chinese classical texts and cultural ideas without requiring prior Chinese language skills. Through intercultural, critical analysis, students study across Confucian philosophy and Chinese humanistic values, equipping them to connect these insights with both historical and contemporary global contexts.
In the first year, students engage with foundational Chinese texts and cultural frameworks, with a primary focus on Confucianism and classical economic ideas. Modules provide historical and humanistic perspectives, and students receive philological training to develop core skills for interpreting classical Chinese, laying the groundwork for deeper textual engagement.
(30 credits)
(20 credits)
(30 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Year 2 delves into the relationship between Chinese philosophy, governance, and education, expanding on students’ knowledge of classical Chinese and critical engagement with Confucian classics. Through interdisciplinary study, students deepen their understanding of humanistic education’s influence on individual character and societal structures in historical China.
(30 credits)
(20 credits)
(30 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
testimonial
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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96-112 UCAS Tariff Points - e.g. A-levels: CCC-BBC, BTEC: MMM-DMM, IB: 30-32
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visa and funding requirements  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯â€¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â€¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed. â¶Ä¯
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh 
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯â€¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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The programme’s assessment strategy consists of formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments aim to use the form of ‘spiral assessment’, encouraging students to revisit and implement standards that have been covered in previous modules.
Spiral assessment is further supported by the fact that all modules centre on critical engagement with canonical texts. Skills developed in earlier modules will be practised and honed in later modules.
Most modules include a practical assessment, that is a presentation in English. The aim of the presentation is to ensure continuous development of English language skills among the cohort, but also to ensure that students are being assessed in situations that are likely to resemble their later employment situation as teachers of Chinese culture.
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For further information about this programme, please email sinology@uwtsd.ac.uk