Mandarin Chinese (online)
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
See Fees section
- Start Date(s): Week commencing 29 September 2025
- Duration: 22 weeks and oral assessment week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Learning a foreign language is a wonderful opportunity to not only learn the language itself, but also to reveal different perspectives on life, enabling you to explore new cultures through a different lens.
Languages open doors to your future. Check out How Languages Changed My Life for inspiring stories from learners across the world.
Our courses are more than just engaging online sessions supported by excellent resources.
You’ll also have the option to take assessments and be awarded a Nottingham Trent University (NTU) Language Programme Certificate of Achievement.
If you continue to study with us, you may become eligible for a Certificate of Language Learning or Diploma of Language Learning.
Learn more about the University Language Programme and the awards.
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All classes and assessments are run online, so you can study from home -
Join a 2 hour class each week, and then do extra study at your own pace
Bilingual Chinese Idioms by Hsiu-Chih Sheu and Lucy Elwood
Join your Mandarin Chinese Course Leader, Hsiu-Chih, on her YouTube miniseries and learn about fascinating Chengyu (成语).
Practice your listening and conversational skills during your lessons
The small group setting really helped me improve my fluency. The interactive sessions were engaging and the support from the tutor was fantastic.
Anonymous student feedback
Fit your learning around your life
I appreciated the flexibility of the asynchronous activities. It allowed me to balance my studies with my work schedule. The live sessions were also very productive and enjoyable.
Anonymous student feedback
What you’ll study
Our language classes are divided into stages. At present only a few stages are available for online learning, but more will be added in forthcoming years.
Nottingham city campus classes are also available. See what face-to-face Mandarin Chinese classes are available.
This course is suitable for beginner learners of Chinese with no prior knowledge of the language.
It is delivered completely online, but the content, assessments and progression are the same as the face-to-face classes.
Course Content
During the course, you will learn Pinyin (the phonetic symbols for Chinese characters), and the essentials of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
You will learn how to write/use computer input and speak in Chinese about basic personal details (e.g. age, nationality, phone number, occupation) and your daily routines.
Course Outcome
At the end of the course, you will have some basic understanding of Chinese grammar and structures and you will be able to give information about yourself, your family members and your friends and describe what they look like.
You will be able to communicate at a basic level when meeting a Chinese speaker for the first time and you will be able to write/type in Chinese characters.
The course is designed to help you achieve level 1 of HSK (International standardised test for Chinese language proficiency from China).
Sessions
Weekly online sessions supplemented with flexible learning online activities using the newest online teaching software.
The online classes will be delivered by the teacher via MS Teams, and you can complete many interactive exercises in your own time.
The course is designed for beginners of Chinese with some knowledge of the language.
It is the right stage for you if you have successfully completed Chinese stage 1 or equivalent, e.g., GCSE at grade C or D or point 4 to 3 in Chinese or equivalent.
Course Content
During the course, you will learn about how to make appointments, do shopping, and talk in Chinese about types of transportation and your holidays.
Course Outcome
At the end of the course, you will have deepened your understanding of Chinese grammar and structures at an elementary level, and you will be able to learn adverbial expressions of time, measure words and alternative question words.
You will also learn how to write and type in Chinese characters.
The course is designed to help you achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level 2 of HSK (International standardised test for Chinese language proficiency from China).
Sessions
Weekly online sessions supplemented with flexible learning online activities using the newest online teaching software.
The online classes will be delivered by the teacher via MS Teams, and you can complete many interactive exercises in your own time.
How you’re taught
This 22-week course combines weekly flexible guided online self-study activities and taught live online sessions with a tutor. The live online interactive sessions include practice, discussion, group work, and Q&A. They take place once a week for 2 hours.
Class sizes are limited to ensure you receive the attention you deserve and to maximise interaction and enhance fluency in a friendly and supportive environment.
Our courses are developed in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Technical requirements
The live online sessions are delivered via MS Teams. To ensure a smooth and successful learning experience, you will need a computer, laptop, or tablet with internet access, a working camera and microphone, and a reliable internet connection. As an NTU student, you can download MS Teams for free.
Technical support for the course is available through the NTU Library Team.
Contact hours
Your online classes will take place for two hours per week and you will need to complete approximately 2 - 4 hours per week of guided self-study.
Campus and facilities
Even if you are not a degree-level student, you are still able to access all the University resources as an online student.
This includes access to over 777,000 eBooks and over 200,000 eJournals. The majority of eBooks and eJournals can be accessed both on and off campus and can be used to support your online learning.
From access to our libraries and sports facilities, to subsidised bike hire, careers advice, and student discounts, as a ULP student you will be a full member of the NTU student body and are entitled to a student card and use of the University facilities.
Entry requirements
- Stage 1 (no prior knowledge or qualification needed).
- Stage 2 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 1 or equivalent, e.g. GCSE at grade C or D or point 4 to 3).
Fees and funding
The course fee is £300.
* Payment is due at the time of booking.
How to apply
There are three student groups for the University Language Programme and each group has a different application process.
Check which group you belong to find how you apply.
Any questions?
If you have any questions, or are not sure which group applies to you, contact the ULP Administration team:
- Email: ulp@ntu.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 2285