Program Overview

Program Overview

The Chinese Studies MA (English) program is designed to provide students with reliable, authentic knowledge on Chinese culture, both ancient and modern. The program aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and tools to conduct valuable research work in various areas of Sinology, including linguistics, literature, history, and more.

Program Structure

• The program is offered by the Faculty of Humanities, Institute of East Asian Studies, Chinese Department.
• The program is a degree program at the master's level, accredited with the number FNYF/1659-3/2024.
• The program is taught in English and has a duration of 4 semesters (2 years).
• The program requires 120 ECTS credits.
• The minimum number of students required for the program to run is 15, and the maximum number of students is 100.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program can work for research institutes or global companies worldwide. They can become teachers of Chinese language and culture or continue their studies at the PhD level, either at ELTE or anywhere else in the world. Job examples include research fellow, director of international affairs (with a focus on China), teacher of Chinese language and culture, translator specialized in Chinese language, and more.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

• Applicants must hold a university bachelor's degree (or an equivalent college degree) in Oriental Languages and Cultures Specialized in Chinese Studies, or in any other subject provided they fulfill the language requirements.
• The educational and outcome requirements are defined by the Ministry of Human Capacities, Regulation No. 18/2016. (VIII. 5.).

Language Requirements

• English
• Chinese: Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, HSK – Level 4 or B2 in Chinese (CEFR)
• Non-native speakers of English must demonstrate a very good level of English-language skills.

Other Requirements

• At least 1 reference(s) should be provided.
• The following documents are required:
  • Transcript of records
  • CV: Curriculum Vitae in English, in MS Word format with one low-resolution photo
  • Motivation letter: a maximum of 500 words
  • Research work plan: a preliminary research proposal for a proposed thesis project with a study and research plan (detailed outline of your field of interest), a preliminary bibliography (indicating what the applicant has read already)
  • Copy of the main pages of the passport: scanned, in color, all personal details and expiry date must be shown, and the passport must be valid
  • Language certificate: official test result or certificate must be provided (see program-specific proficiency requirements)
• Other: an official English translation of the certificates and the records if the language of the original is not English

Application Procedure

• The application starts in the online application system.
• Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents, and follow the instructions during the application process.
• Applications will only be processed if the application fee (non-refundable) has been paid on the University's online payment platform.
• The application fee is discounted for Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025 - 30/11/2025 and between 01/02/2026 - 31/03/2026; the regular application fee is: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2026 - 31/05/2026

Entrance Examination and Selection Process

• After the university receives the full application package and it is checked by the Department of International Affairs, applicants will be invited to an oral entrance exam.
• An entrance exam date option will be sent no later than the application deadline for the relevant period.
• The entrance exam contains a discussion about the motivation of the applicant.
• The format of the entrance exam is an online interview.
• Ranking is based on the overall evaluation of academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam.

Tuition Fees

• EU/EEA students: 3,500 EUR per semester
• Non-EU/EEA students: 3,500 EUR per semester

Program Leader and Coordinator

• Program leader: Prof. Dr. Imre HAMAR, head of the Chinese Department, head of the Institute of East Asian Studies, vice rector of international affairs
• Program coordinator: Dr. Melinda PAP, Assistant Professor

Faculty of Humanities

Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) offers more than 100 degree programs to international students in the fields of Business, Education and Psychology, Humanities, Informatics, Law, Primary and Pre-School Education, Social Sciences, and Science. Currently, about 3000 international students study at ELTE, and the community of international students is growing from year to year. The Faculty of Humanities is one of the faculties offering degree programs to international students.