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Mandarin Chinese courses for members of the public

We teach Modern Standard Chinese, known as 普通话 Pǔtōnghuà, with references to other forms of Mandarin Chinese spoken in different regions.

Traditional Chinese calligraphy drawn on paper with calligraphy brushes and inks.
Develop your Chinese language and intercultural skills

Chinese is the most challenging language I have learnt but our teacher has said many times in class: ‘See, learning Chinese is easy!’ and somehow it does feel easy with her. (Olivia Wolfheart)

Please note: The information on this page is only applicable to members of the public. If you work at the university, or are an existing undergraduate or postgraduate student, to find out about language courses.

Available courses

Courses are based on the , an international standardised test for Chinese language proficiency, and available for members of the public, although not every course runs every term.

Chinese In Your Suitcase: An introductory course designed for complete beginners who want to take their first steps learning Mandarin Chinese, with a focus on practical language for travel and everyday communication. No prior knowledge of Chinese is required. Through an interactive approach, you will develop basic speaking/listening skills needed for real-life situations. Learn essential vocabulary and everyday expressions commonly used when travelling, such as greeting people, asking for directions, ordering food, and handling simple interactions in social settings. You will gain an accessible introduction to pronunciation, including tones and pinyin, as well as a basic understanding of Chinese characters.

  • Alongside language learning, the course offers insights into Chinese culture and communication styles, helping you feel more confident when interacting in Chinese-speaking environments
  • The learning experience is supportive and engaging, with opportunities to practise simple conversations
  • By the end of the course, you will be able to manage basic travel-related situations and communicate simple ideas, making it an ideal starting point for anyone planning to visit Chinese-speaking regions.

Stage 1.1: If you have never studied Chinese before. We recommend you take a 'Chinese Characters' course alongside this course.

Stage 1.2: If you have taken Stage 1.1 with us, or can:

  • note down words and phrases you hear using pinyin
  • engage in basic conversations, exchanging information such as age, name, nationality, and occupation
  • read and write around 50 basic Chinese characters

We recommend you take a 'Chinese Characters' course alongside this course.

Stage 2.1: If you have completed Stage 1.2 with us, or achieved the Chinese standard examination HSK 1, or can:

  • engage in conversations on topics such as the weather, routine and leisure activities, state preferences
  • read and understand short texts written in Chinese characters on familiar topics
  • produce short texts using Chinese characters to give basic information and describe simple situations

We recommend you take a 'Chinese Characters' course alongside this course.

Stage 2.2: If you have completed Stage 2.1 or achieved the Chinese standard examination HSK 1, or can:

  • perform simple tasks such as shopping and ask for information such as directions and opening hours
  • understand straightforward written resources on familiar topics written in Chinese characters
  • write short texts using Chinese characters to give essential information and describe simple experiences

Stage 3.1: If you have completed Stage 2.2, or achieved the Chinese standard examination HSK 2, or can:

  • engage in conversations on a number of non-abstract topics such as travel and leisure activities
  • read and understand straightforward written resources on a variety of familiar topics
  • produce structured texts in Chinese characters on a variety of familiar topics, including past events and future plans

Stage 3.2: If you have completed Stage 3.1, or achieved the Chinese standard examination HSK 2, or have a degree of confidence to:

  • engage in conversations in a variety of situations
  • read and understand written resources in Chinese characters on familiar matters and some abstract topics
  • produce structured texts in Chinese characters on topics such as shopping, travel, jobs and abstract topics

Learn Chinese with Weekly News: If you have completed Stage 3.2 or have reached the Chinese standard examination HSK level 3 or above. In this course we will discuss bite-sized news items that are written in graded Chinese following the HSK levels. You will:

  • further develop your independent learning skills
  • have personalised learning experiences to take your Chinese language skills to a higher level
  • develop your intercultural competence and improve your employability skills

Chinese Characters: ?These classes supplement the core Mandarin Chinese courses. We strongly encourage all Stage 1 and Stage 2 students to register for this additional course, as it offers valuable practice with Chinese characters, an essential part of the Mandarin Chinese curriculum. It is offered free of charge and is only available to students enrolled on a Stage 1 or Stage 2 Mandarin Chinese course. Please speak to your teacher if you'd like to attend.

HSK Exam Preparatory Workshops: 5 preparatory workshops for students who opt to sit HSK qualifications. These are held in Spring and offered free of charge to anyone enrolled in another Mandarin Chinese course; they are not available to join as standalone classes.

Placement test

If you have never learned Mandarin Chinese with us before, so that you know which course is suitable for you.

We recommend reading our Terms and Conditions for information about what to do if you enrol at the wrong level and need to transfer to a different class.

Course timetable

Summer 2026

In summer 2026, we are running a Mandarin Chinese in your Suitcase course. The deadline for enrolling on this course is midday on 27 May 2026. No enrolments will be accepted after this date and time.

Course Location Duration Dates Time Cost Link to enrol
Mandarin Chinese in your Suitcase Online 1 hour 50 minutes a day for 10 days
  • Monday 1 June - Friday 5 June inclusive
  • Monday 8 June - Friday 12 June inclusive
14:15 - 16:05 ?210

Autumn 2026 / Spring 2027

If you would like to be notified when enrolments open for Autumn 2026 and/or Spring 2027, please .

Course fees

Course fees for our Summer 2026 Mandarin Chinese in your Suitcase course are indicated in the Course Timetable.

Course fees for Autumn 2026 and Spring 2027 courses will be published when those courses are available to book.

Terms and Conditions

Please make sure you have read and understood our Terms and Conditions before enrolling on a course. By purchasing a course, you will be deemed to have accepted the Terms and Conditions, so it's important you have read them before you complete your purchase.

All personal data will be collected and processed in accordance with UK GDPR and any other relevant legislation. Further details of how your personal data will be processed can be found in our Terms and Conditions. Some of our courses are delivered online. As part of the online delivery via Teams / Zoom, please note that your username and email address used to attend the lessons will be visible to other students.

Qualifications

In the spring, you have the option of sitting HSK qualifications 1, 2 or 3. Exams take place in official HSK centres in London and other cities (please note, there is no test centre in Bath).

To help you prepare for the exams, you can join , which are offered free of charge to anyone enrolled on another Mandarin Chinese course; they are not available to join as standalone classes. If you would like to join the relevant workshop, please speak to your teacher after you have enrolled on your core course.

More ways to develop your Mandarin Chinese language skills

For more information on what it’s like to learn Mandarin Chinese with us, .

We also organise our own cultural events and Language Cafés. If you are enrolled on a language course, you are welcome to take part in these; please ask your teacher for more details after you have enrolled.

Information for students and staff

The information on this page is only applicable to members of the public, who are not employed by the university or studying here as an undergraduate or postgraduate student.

If you work at the university, or are an existing undergraduate or postgraduate student, to find out about the language courses available to you.

Enquiries

If you have any questions, please contact us.


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