Doctor of Chinese Studies
Southern University College · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Doctor of Chinese Studies is a coursework-mode programme focused on advanced research in Chinese literature, with a strong emphasis on ancient, modern, and contemporary literary traditions as well as literary theory. It also broadens the research scope to include global Chinese literature and Malaysian Chinese literature, encouraging critical engagement with transregional texts and cultural contexts.
The programme is designed to cultivate independent thinking and academic originality through structured coursework and individualized dissertation supervision. Students integrate classical and modern Chinese literature, Malaysian Chinese literature, and Chinese historical linguistics, covering areas such as classical texts, exegetics, and the history of the Chinese language.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Research Resources and Methodology
- Special Topics in Literary Theory Research
- Special Topics in Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literature Research
- Special Topics in the Wei-Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties Literature Research
- Special Topics in Tang and Song Dynasties Literature Research
- Special Topics in Ming and Qing Dynasties Literature Research
- Special Topics in Modern Chinese Literature Research
- Special Topics in Contemporary Chinese Literature Research
- Special Topics in Malaysian Chinese Literature Research
- Special Topics in Popular Literature Research
- Elective courses (choose two) including Special Topics in Chinese Classics Research or Special Topics in Chinese Historical Linguistics Research
- Dissertation supervision with individualized guidance
- Dissertation research across Chinese literature and related research scope
- Dissertation minimum word count requirement applies
- Completion of the dissertation component for graduation
Curriculum
Programme credit total is 80 credit hours: 40 credit hours core courses (10 courses), 4 credit hours elective course (1 course), and 36 credit hours dissertation.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Core courses (part 1) | Research Resources and Methodology | 4 | 12 |
| Special Topics in Literary Theory Research | 4 | |||
| Special Topics in Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literature Research | 4 | |||
| Semester 2 | Core courses (part 2) | Special Topics in the Wei-Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties Literature Research | 4 | 16 |
| Special Topics in Tang and Song Dynasties Literature Research | 4 | |||
| Special Topics in Ming and Qing Dynasties Literature Research | 4 | |||
| Special Topics in Modern Chinese Literature Research | 4 | |||
| Semester 3 | Core courses (part 3) plus elective | Special Topics in Contemporary Chinese Literature Research | 4 | 16 |
| Special Topics in Malaysian Chinese Literature Research | 4 | |||
| Special Topics in Popular Literature Research | 4 | |||
| Elective course (Choose any one): Special Topics in Chinese Classics Research | 4 | |||
| Semester 4 | Core courses (completion block) | Core course (completion block from the core course list) | 12 | 12 |
| Semester 5 | Dissertation | Dissertation | 18 | 18 |
| Semester 6 | Dissertation (completion) | Dissertation | 18 | 18 |
| Total | Core courses, elective course, and dissertation | 80 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You develop doctoral-level expertise in Chinese studies through coursework and dissertation supervision, helping you qualify for university or college educator roles.
- You build advanced research capability in Chinese literature and literary theory, supporting careers as a researcher in related academic and cultural institutions.
- You strengthen scholarly and analytical skills that can translate into roles such as manager or supervisor in a related field, not only teaching-based careers.
- You support career advancement in your current employment by applying independent thinking and research originality skills from the doctorate to your workplace responsibilities.
Employability rate
Doctor of Chinese Studies graduates in Malaysia typically see an employability rate of around 78% and an unemployment rate of about 22%, depending on academic posting availability and the competitiveness of research/education roles.
Together, these figures point to a steady but role-dependent career outlook where your research portfolio and academic supervision outcomes can strongly improve stability.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree (Level 7) | International applicants must hold a Master’s degree (Level 7), MQF in language or a related field, for the Doctor of Chinese Studies. |
| Equivalent professional qualification | Alternatively, non-Master’s applicants may be considered with an equivalent professional qualification from a recognized professional body, subject to university admission processes. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Literature/Language Arts | Direct match |
Language requirements
For international applicants, Southern University College requires an English competency level as part of the admission assessment for the Doctor of Chinese Studies. The minimum requirement is published by the university for international students.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 93660 / total program | 2026 Programme Fees for International Students: Doctor of Chinese Studies (3-5 years) Tuition & Misc Fees 93,660; Other Charges 7,500; Total 101,160. |
| Other charges | MYR 7500 / total program | 2026 Programme Fees for International Students: Other Charges are 7,500 (includes Registration Fee 500, Visa Processing Fee 3,000, Development Fee 840, Students' Union Fee 80, Administrative Fee 1,080, and Deposit 1,500). |
| Application fee | MYR 500 / one time | 2026 Programme Fees for International Students: Application Fee 500. |
Proof of financial resources
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Submit your application online
Complete the official online application during the university’s published intake period. Upload the required documents, including your academic transcripts/certificates and supporting identification. Ensure all submitted information matches the qualification you are using for entry so the university can assess your eligibility.
Prepare language proof for international admissions
Provide your English competency evidence for international applicants using the minimum requirement published by Southern University College. If you are using an approved alternative to IELTS, submit the equivalent proof as accepted by admissions. Wait for the university to review your submission and confirm if any additional clarification is needed.
Attend credential/eligibility review
Southern University College will assess your eligibility based on the Doctor of Chinese Studies entry requirements for international applicants. This includes checking your Master’s qualification (or recognized equivalent professional qualification) and overall academic suitability for the programme. Respond promptly to any requests from the admissions team to avoid delays in processing.