1st Year entry available online from September 2027, applications open in spring 2027.

The first year of the three-year cycle of this online course, which will be delivered in the evenings and which, numbers permitting, will commence in September 2027.

The Certificate of Continuing Education in Mandarin is a part-time qualification designed to take beginners in Mandarin to University level through a series of evening classes. The programme has been developed in collaboration with SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages) and their strategic university partners in China.

An approved qualification

This evening degree programme comprises undergraduate-level modules in Mandarin at first, second and third-year levels.

The two first-year modules, Introduction 1A and Introduction 1B, are intensive beginners' classes. They are suitable for people with some or no knowledge of the language but with previous experience of language learning, and would equally suit those with qualifications in the language from some years ago who wish to refresh their knowledge.

The CCEd provides a qualification approved by the General Teaching Council for Scotland and has, in previous years, appealed to candidates from diverse backgrounds, including:

• secondary school teachers wishing to acquire an additional language
• primary school teachers
• musicians, journalists, lawyers and a range of professional people with an interest in China and its language

University Standard in One Year

The intensive beginners’ classes take students to first-year University level in one year, and opens the door to the study of the language in second year and up to University Pass Degree level within three years. There is no long-term commitment, however, since enrolment is initially for one year and renewable on an annual basis. Students are free to opt out at any stage.

Although this class is offered on a part-time evening basis, it mirrors the courses taken by our full-time undergraduate students, and is taught by the same University staff. Students on the CCEd are therefore guaranteed access to genuine University standard courses on a part-time basis, leading to a reputable qualification, and have access to the same University facilities enjoyed by full-time students, including:

• the Library
• the Students' Union
• IT facilities
• Sports Centre

Teaching

Classes take place over 22 weeks, in line with the normal day-time University teaching semesters (i.e. from mid-September to early December and from late mid-January to late March). Depending on the number of enrolments, the department might be able to offer an alternative teaching session at a different time. If this is the case, details will appear here in due course. As well as the live teaching sessions, this online course includes a comprehensive range of interactive teaching and learning materials each week, hosted on the University’s virtual learning platform.

The assessment/examination periods are early December and April-May. Enrolments permitting, classes will begin in late September. Since full-time students have a period of grace in which to change courses, it will be possible to accept late applications after this time. Please enquire if in doubt.

Fees and funding

Annual fees for the CCEd courses are currently £1000 all inclusive, covering 22 weeks of tuition and examination fees.

If you plan to undertake the course for reasons of continuing professional development and could make a case to this effect, you might wish to approach your employer for support.

Many teachers completing CCEd courses at Strathclyde are in receipt of full or partial funding from their schools or local authorities. If you fall into this category, we would recommend you enquire about funding. 

Please note that all applicants for Professional Registration in a Modern Foreign Language will need to have met the residency requirements in full before submitting their application to the General Teaching Council for Scotland. Find further information on GTC registration.

Funding for part-time students is available via the Students Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)