Mandarin

General Programme

Develop practical communication skills flexibly alongside your studies, research or work or just for pleasure

•1 academic year = 1  stage (3 parts)

•Term-by-term commitment

•6 weeks per term; 90-minute weekly classes

•Optional assessment at the end of Trinity term

Fast Track Programme

For motivated learners wanting to progress more quickly and keen to achieve more

•1 academic year = 2  stages

•Full academic year commitment

•22 weeks across the academic year; 2-hour weekly classes

•Continuous assessment (with possibility for learners to opt out)

Course Timetable: Michaelmas Term Courses 2026

University Students and Staff may enrol using the links belowCourse programmeMode of deliveryStagePart*Duration        Days and times of classesDate of first classDate of final class
ENROLMENT OPENING SOONIntensiveOnline11Weeks 9 & 10 (2 weeks)Monday 17:00 - 19:3007 December17 December

External Learners

If you do not have a University SSO, please see Information for External Learners to find out about how to enrol.

Pre-course requirements and learning outcomes

Our programmes are calibrated to the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR). The tables below outline the recommended entry level for each course and the level you are expected to achieve by the end of it.

For example, Arabic General Stage 3 is for learners at A1 level, with an expected exit level of A2.

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General Stage progression for non-European languages
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General Stage progression for European languages

Textbook Information

CourseTextbookISBN
Stage 1Discover China Student Book 1 (Units 1-6)9780230405950
Stage 2Discover China Student Book 1 (Units 10-12)9780230405950
Stage 3Discover China Student Book 2 (Units 1-8)9780230406391
Stage 4Discover China Student Book 3 (Units 1-9)9780230406414
Stage 5Discover China Student Book 4 (Units 1-9)9780230406438
Stage 6/7No textbook required -