Management and Chinese
China is one of the defining powers of the twenty-first century, and Mandarin Chinese is spoken by more people than any other language in the world. Combining management with Chinese at degree level is one of the most strategically well-judged choices an aspiring business professional can make, placing you at the intersection of commercial understanding and one of the world's most important linguistic and cultural traditions.
At the School of Oriental and African Studies this four-year, full-time programme includes an optional foundation year, providing a supported entry point for students who want additional preparation before the degree proper. SOAS's specialist expertise in Asian languages and cultures gives the Chinese component extraordinary depth, with teaching staff and resources that most universities cannot match. The management component introduces you to the theory and practice of how organisations operate, covering strategy, marketing, finance, organisational behaviour, and the dynamics of international business.
Across the programme you will develop Mandarin Chinese to a high level of communicative competence, gaining both spoken and written proficiency alongside a deep understanding of Chinese history, culture, and contemporary society.
Graduates with this combination are exceptionally well placed for international careers. Many move into roles in business development, consulting, finance, or trade with a significant China or East Asia dimension, working for multinational corporations, investment firms, trading companies, government bodies, or international organisations. Others build careers in diplomacy, journalism, development, or cultural and educational exchange.
The combination of Mandarin proficiency, cultural knowledge, and management training is genuinely rare and genuinely valued by employers who need people able to work effectively across the UK-China relationship. Further study in Chinese studies, business administration, international management, or area studies is also an option for those who want to deepen their expertise.