Overview

The department regularly offers four levels of instruction in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin), designed to enable the student to become proficient in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as introductory courses in Classical Chinese, and occasionally, Cantonese and Taiwanese. The department also offers disciplinary courses taught either in English or in Chinese on Chinese literature, linguistics, or cultural studies. Students majoring in Chinese are strongly encouraged to study in mainland China or Taiwan during one or both semesters of their junior year, or during the summer. The course numbering system for Mandarin is sequential.

Students who complete the requirements for a major in Chinese at Williams College will be able to:

Attain the Advanced level in speaking, listening and reading, and Intermediate High level in writing based on the ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Read and analyze basic texts written in Classical Chinese.
Gain intercultural communicative skills to competently navigate a wide range of social and cultural contexts in Chinese-speaking environments.
Critically read and analyze a variety of Chinese-language primary sources for academic and professional purposes.
Engage critically with important aspects of the historical and cultural developments and trends in China’s diverse and complex past and present.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Mandarin Chinese Language
Classical Chinese
Chinese Literary
Linguistic
Cultural Studies

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-04 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-01-08 00:00:00

Language

English

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Language Studies Asian studies View 2995 other Bachelors in Language Studies in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Williams College and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

School Report
Counselor Recommendation
Two Teacher Recommendations
Mid-Year Report (Due February 8* or for schools on a trimester, when 2nd trimester grades are available)
$65 Application Fee or Fee Waiver
Early Decision Agreement Form (Early Decision applicants only)
Williams Writing Question: As a residential learning community, Williams believes that some of the most important experiences happen while living and learning alongside those different from oneself. Please describe a time when you learned or grew through the process of interacting with someone whose background, identity, lived experience, or perspective differs from your own. (150-300 words; this question will automatically populate on the Common Application and QuestBridge Application Form)

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

64540 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 64540 USD per year during 48 months.
National

64540 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 64540 USD per year during 48 months.
In-State

64540 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 64540 USD per year during 48 months.

Living costs for North Adams

876 - 1815 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Chinese.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Credits

Delivered

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Student insurance

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fee

International

National

In-State

Living costs for North Adams

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners