Chinese Language Online Courses
HSK 1 Mandarin Course (Elementary)
The Confucius Institute at Bangor University offers an online HSK 1 Mandarin course via Zoom, designed for complete beginners.
The course is divided into two parts (A and B), each lasting 10 weeks. You may enrol in one part or complete both.
Full course fee (Part A & B): £100
HSK 1 Part A
- Dates: 6 October – 8 December 2026
- Time: Tuesdays, 6.00–7.00 pm (10 sessions)
- Fee: £50
- Pre-requisite: None
HSK 1 Part B
- Dates: 12 January – 16 March 2027
- Time: Tuesdays, 6.00–7.00 pm (10 sessions)
- Fee: £50
- Pre-requisite: Completion of HSK 1 Part A
Free Trial
Enjoy a complimentary first session before deciding to continue.
What you will learn
- Develop the foundations of listening and speaking in Mandarin for everyday communication.
- Learn around 300 essential vocabulary items and recognise simple Chinese characters.
- Read and write basic Chinese characters and short expressions.
- Build confidence using Mandarin in everyday situations such as greetings, introductions, shopping, ordering food, travelling, and talking about daily routines.
- Develop the communication skills required for the HSK 1 (version 3.0) examination.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, you will be able to understand and use simple Mandarin in familiar everyday situations, recognise and write basic Chinese characters, and communicate using short sentences with increasing confidence. You will have developed the listening, reading and introductory writing skills required for the HSK 1 (version 3.0) examination and be well prepared to continue to HSK 2.
We recommend around 3 hours of independent study per week.
Materials & Access
- Learning materials are provided by the tutor (except for recommended textbooks).
- Lessons take place on Zoom (free account required)
- The tutor will send your Zoom link after registration
Our courses follow the latest HSK 3.0 syllabus, which places greater emphasis on practical communication and the integrated development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Lessons are designed to help learners use Mandarin confidently in real-life situations while preparing for the HSK examination.
Important information
Additional Support
An intensive revision course (May–June 2027) will be available for those preparing for the HSK 1 exam.
Important information
Course fees are non-refundable once the course has started.
Registration for the course will open in August 2026, and we look forward to welcoming new learners.
HSK 2 Mandarin Course (Elementary)
The Confucius Institute at Bangor University offers an online HSK 2 Mandarin course via Zoom, designed for learners who have completed HSK 1 (version 3.0).
Please note that HSK 1 version 2.0 followed an older curriculum with fewer requirements. Learners who completed HSK 1 under this earlier system are still welcome to enrol; however, the learning curve may be slightly steeper due to the expanded vocabulary and language expectations in the updated HSK framework.
The course is divided into two parts (A and B), each lasting 10 weeks. You may enrol in one part or complete both.
Full course fee (Part A & B): £120
HSK 2 Part A
- Dates: 6 October– 8 December 2026
- Time: Tuesdays, 7.15–8.40 pm (10 sessions)
- Fee: £60
- Pre-requisite: HSK 1 (version 3.0)
HSK 2 Part B
- Dates: 12 January – 16 March 2027
- Time: Tuesdays, 7.15–8.40 pm (10 sessions)
- Fee: £60
- Pre-requisite: Completion of HSK 2 Part A
Free Trial
Enjoy a complimentary first session before deciding to continue.
What you will learn
- Expand your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through practical communication.
- Learn 200 new Chinese characters, reaching a cumulative total of 500 recognised characters, and continue developing your character recognition and writing skills.
- Produce simple written sentences and short messages using appropriate grammar and vocabulary.
- Communicate confidently in everyday situations, including shopping, travel, health, weather, work, and asking for help.
- Develop the integrated language skills required for the HSK 2 (version 3.0) examination.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, you will be able to communicate more confidently in a wider range of everyday situations, read and write simple Chinese texts, and apply essential grammar accurately in both spoken and written Mandarin. You will have developed the listening, reading and writing skills required for the HSK 2 (version 3.0) examination and be ready to progress to HSK 3.
We recommend around 4 hours of independent study per week.
Materials & Access
- Learning materials are provided by the tutor (except for recommended textbooks).
- Lessons take place on Zoom (free account required)
- The tutor will send your Zoom link after registration
Our courses follow the latest HSK 3.0 syllabus, which places greater emphasis on practical communication and the integrated development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Lessons are designed to help learners use Mandarin confidently in real-life situations while preparing for the HSK examination.
Additional Support
An intensive revision course (May–June 2027) will be available for those preparing for the HSK 2 exam.
Important information
Course fees are non-refundable once the course has started.
Registration for the course will open in August 2026, and we look forward to welcoming new learners.
HSK 3 Mandarin Course (Elementary)
The Confucius Institute at Bangor University offers an online HSK 3 Mandarin course via Zoom, designed for learners who have completed HSK 2 (version 3.0).
Please note that HSK 2 version 2.0 followed an older curriculum with fewer requirements. Learners who completed HSK 2 under this earlier system are still welcome to enrol; however, the learning curve may be slightly steeper due to the expanded vocabulary and language expectations in the updated HSK framework.
The course is divided into two parts (A and B), each lasting 10 weeks. You may enrol in one part or complete both.
Full course fee (Part A & B): £160
HSK 3 Part A
- Dates: 7 October – 9 December 2026
- Time: Wednesdays, 6.00–8.00 pm (2 hours, including a short break)
- Fee: £80
- Pre-requisite: HSK 2 (version 3.0)
HSK 3 Part B
- Dates: 13 January – 17 March 2027
- Time: Tuesdays, 6.00–8.00 pm (2 hours, including a short break)
- Fee: £80
- Pre-requisite: Completion of HSK 2 Part A
Free Trial
Enjoy a complimentary first session before deciding to continue.
What you will learn
Develop post-elementary listening, speaking, reading and writing skills for everyday communication.
Learn 500 new vocabulary items, reaching a cumulative total of approximately 1,000 words by the end of HSK Level 3.
Recognise a cumulative total of 655 Chinese characters and write a cumulative total of 250 Chinese characters, meeting the official HSK 3.0 requirements.
Develop the ability to write short, connected texts, describe experiences, and complete practical writing tasks.
Build confidence discussing daily life, travel, study, shopping, events, experiences, telephone conversations, and future plans.
Strengthen grammar knowledge and improve fluency in both spoken and written Mandarin.
Develop the integrated communication skills required for the HSK 3 (version 3.0) examination.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, you will be able to communicate effectively in a broad range of everyday situations using connected spoken and written Mandarin. You will be able to understand longer texts, write short passages, and express ideas more naturally and accurately. You will have developed the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills required for the HSK 3 (version 3.0) examination and be ready to progress to HSK 4. We recommend around 5 hours of independent study per week.
Materials & Access
- Learning materials are provided by the tutor (except for recommended textbooks).
- Lessons take place on Zoom (free account required)
- The tutor will send your Zoom link after registration
Our courses follow the latest HSK 3.0 syllabus, which places greater emphasis on practical communication and the integrated development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Lessons are designed to help learners use Mandarin confidently in real-life situations while preparing for the HSK examination.
Additional Support
An intensive revision course (May–June 2027) will be available for those preparing for the HSK 3 exam.
Important information
Course fees are non-refundable once the course has started.
Registration for the course will open in August 2026, and we look forward to welcoming new learners.
HSK 4 Mandarin Course (Intermediate)
The Confucius Institute at Bangor University offers an online HSK 4 Mandarin course via Zoom, designed for learners who have completed HSK 3 (version 3.0).
Please note that HSK 3 version 2.0 followed an older curriculum with fewer requirements. Learners who completed HSK 3 under this earlier system are still welcome to enrol; however, the learning curve may be slightly steeper due to the expanded vocabulary and language expectations in the updated HSK framework.
The course is divided into two parts (A and B), each lasting 10 weeks. You may enrol in one part or complete both.
Full course fee (Part A & B): £240
HSK 4 Part A
- Dates: 6 October – 17 December 2026
- Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6.00–8.00 pm (2 hours, including a short break)
- Fee: £120
- Pre-requisite: HSK 3 (3.0)
HSK 4 Part B
- Dates: 12 January – 25 March 2027
- Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6.00–8.00 pm (2 hours, including a short break)
- Fee: £120
- Pre-requisite: Completion of HSK 4 Part A
Free Trial
Enjoy a complimentary first session before deciding to continue.
What you will learn
- Develop lower-intermediate listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
- Learn around 1,000 new commonly used words, reaching a cumulative total of approximately 2,000 words by the end of HSK Level 4.
- Recognise approximately 1,096 Chinese characters and write approximately 400 characters.
- Strengthen grammar and sentence patterns to communicate more accurately and naturally.
- Read longer texts and authentic materials with greater confidence.
- Write connected paragraphs, describe events, summarise information, and express opinions clearly.
- Communicate effectively across a wide range of practical, academic, and social situations.
- Develop the language skills required for the HSK 4 (version 3.0) examination.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, you will be able to communicate confidently in spoken and written Mandarin across a wide variety of real-life situations, especially in work and study contexts. You will be able to understand more complex texts, organise your ideas in writing, express opinions clearly, and participate in longer conversations. You will have developed the skills required for the HSK 4 (version 3.0) examination and be ready to progress to HSK 5.
We recommend around 8 hours of independent study per week.
Materials & Access
- Learning materials are provided by the tutor (except for recommended textbooks).
- Lessons take place on Zoom (free account required)
- The tutor will send your Zoom link after registration
Our courses follow the latest HSK 3.0 syllabus, which places greater emphasis on practical communication and the integrated development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Lessons are designed to help learners use Mandarin confidently in real-life situations while preparing for the HSK examination.
Additional Support
An intensive revision course (May–June 2027) will be available for those preparing for the HSK 4 exam.
Important information
Course fees are non-refundable once the course has started.
Registration for the course will open in August 2026, and we look forward to welcoming new learners.
HSK 5 Mandarin Course (Intermediate)
The Confucius Institute at Bangor University offers an online HSK 5 Mandarin course via Zoom, designed for learners who have completed HSK 4 (version 3.0).
Please note that HSK 4 version 2.0 followed an older curriculum with fewer requirements. Learners who completed HSK 4 under this earlier system are still welcome to enrol; however, the learning curve may be slightly steeper due to the expanded vocabulary and language expectations in the updated HSK framework.
The course is divided into two parts (A and B), each lasting 10 weeks. You may enrol in one part or complete both.
Full course fee (Part A & B): £300
HSK 5 Part A
- Dates: 5 October – 16 December 2026
- Time: Mondays & Wednesdays 6.00–8.00 pm (2 hours, including a short break)
- Fee: £150
- Pre-requisite: HSK 4 (version 3.0)
HSK 5 Part B
- Dates: 11 January – 24 March 2027
- Time: Mondays & Wednesdays 6.00–8.00 pm (2 hours, including a short break)
- Fee: £150
- Pre-requisite: Completion of HSK 5 Part A
Free Trial
Enjoy a complimentary first session before deciding to continue.
What you will learn
- Develop intermediate listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through authentic communication.
- Learn around 1,600 commonly used words, reaching a cumulative total of approximately 3,600 words by the end of HSK Level 5.
- Recognise approximately 1,257 Chinese characters and write approximately 550 characters.
- Strengthen advanced grammar and sentence structures for accurate and fluent communication.
- Read authentic articles, reports, and longer texts with increasing independence.
- Write coherent essays, summaries, descriptions, and opinion pieces using appropriate vocabulary and grammar.
- Develop the confidence to discuss complex topics, explain ideas, justify opinions, and summarise information.
- Build the integrated language skills required for the HSK 5 (version 3.0) examination.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, you will be able to communicate confidently and effectively in a wide range of personal, academic, and professional situations, especially in work and study contexts. You will be able to understand authentic written materials, produce well-structured written texts, summarise information, and express and justify your opinions clearly in Mandarin. You will have developed the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills required for the HSK 5 (version 3.0) examination and be well prepared for the HSK 5 examination or further advanced study.
We recommend around 8 hours of independent study per week.
Materials & Access
- Learning materials are provided by the tutor (except for recommended textbooks).
- Lessons take place on Zoom (free account required)
- The tutor will send your Zoom link after registration
Additional Support
An intensive revision course (May–June 2027) will be available for those preparing for the HSK 5 exam.
Our courses follow the latest HSK 3.0 syllabus, which places greater emphasis on practical communication and the integrated development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Lessons are designed to help learners use Mandarin confidently in real-life situations while preparing for the HSK examination.
HSK 5
Important information
Course fees are non-refundable once the course has started.
Registration for the course will open in August 2026, and we look forward to welcoming new learners.
Are you hoping to take the HSK 1 exam but unsure how to prepare? The Confucius Institute at Bangor University is offering a 5-week ONLINE exam preparation course starting May 2027.
Course details: (five 1-hour classes)
Course dates: TBC 2027
Pre-requisite: HSK 1 course
Fee: TBC
Course Description: This Mandarin course suits students who have completed an HSK 1 course and are now preparing to take the HSK 1 exam. Our Tutor will focus on systematically mastering the 150-word vocabulary by reviewing sentence and question structures and providing feedback and encouragement!
By the end of this course, students should be ready to pass HSK 1.
We recommend at least 1 hour of independent study each week to ensure students can keep up with the pace of the course.
Learning outcomes:
- familiarity with HSK 1 exam structure and question types
- mastery of HSK 1 grammar and vocabulary
- confidence in self-directed learning
Learning materials: All teaching materials are developed by our teachers using the HSK 1 Standard Course and additional sources. All learning materials provided- apart from recommended textbooks.
Are you hoping to take the HSK 2 exam but unsure how to prepare? The Confucius Institute at Bangor University is offering a 5-week ONLINE exam preparation course starting May 2027.
Course details: (five 1-hour classes)
Course dates: TBC 2027
Pre-requisite: HSK 2 course
Fee:
Course Description: This is a Mandarin course suitable for students who completed an HSK 2 course and are now preparing to take the HSK 2 exam. Our Tutor will focus on systematically mastering the 349 characters, establishing a vocabulary of 300 Chinese words used in everyday contexts, and providing feedback and encouragement!
By the end of this course, students should be ready to pass HSK 2.
We recommend at least 1 hour of independent study each week to ensure students can keep up with the pace of the course.
Learning outcomes:
- familiarity with HSK 2 exam structure and question types
- mastery of HSK 2 grammar and vocabulary
- confidence in self-directed learning
Learning materials: All teaching materials are developed by our teachers using the HSK 2 Standard Course and additional sources. All learning materials provided- apart from recommended textbooks.
The Confucius Institute at Bangor University is offering an ONLINE exam preparation Mandarin course via Zoom. This course will be available for 5-week sections (one and a half hours a week).
Sessions:
Start date: TBC 2027
Pre-requisite: HSK 1, HSK 2, HSK 3
Fees:
* Free for enrolled students of the current HSK 3 course and those registered to sit for the HSK 3 exam through our Confucius Institute.
Course Description: This Mandarin course suits students who completed HSK 1, HSK 2, and HSK 3 courses and are now willing to revise and prepare for the HSK 3 exam. Our Tutor will focus on systematically mastering around 600 characters /words to establish a vocabulary of over 600 words, building a stronger knowledge of grammatical points used in the first three HSK book materials, and conducting more complex listening comprehension exercises and conversations in Mandarin.
By the end of this refresher course, students should be ready to pass HSK 3.
We recommend that at least 2 hours of independent study is undertaken each day to ensure students can keep up with the pace of the course.
Learning outcomes: Familiarity with HSK3 exam structure and question types; more in-depth understanding of Chinese grammar and vocabulary; confidence in self-directed Chinese language learning.
Learning materials: All teaching materials are developed by our teachers using the HSK 3 Standard Course and additional sources. All learning materials provided- apart from recommended textbooks.
The Confucius Institute at Bangor University is offering an ONLINE exam preparation Mandarin course via Zoom. This course will be available for 5-weeks starting May 2027.
Sessions:
Start date: TBC 2027
Pre-requisite: HSK 1, HSK 2, HSK 3, HSK 4
Fees:
* Free for enrolled students of the current HSK 4 course and those registered to sit for the HSK 4 exam through our Confucius Institute.
Course Description: This Mandarin course suits students who completed an HSK 1, HSK 2, HSK 3, and HSK 4 course and are now willing to revise and prepare for the HSK 4 exam. Our Tutor will focus on systematically mastering around 1200 Chinese characters/words used in everyday contexts, understanding the grammar structures learned before, conducting more complex listening comprehension exercises and conversations, and having broader communication in Mandarin with common sayings or cultural expressions.
By the end of this course, students should be ready to pass HSK 4.
We recommend that at least 2 hours of independent study is undertaken each day to ensure students can keep up with the pace of the course.
Learning outcomes: Familiarity with HSK 4 exam structure and question types; more in-depth understanding of Chinese grammar, vocabulary and everyday expressions; confidence in self-directed Chinese language learning.
Learning materials: All teaching materials are developed by our teachers using the HSK 4 Standard Course and additional sources. All learning materials provided- apart from recommended textbooks.
The Confucius Institute at Bangor University is offering an ONLINE exam preparation Mandarin course via Zoom. This course will be available for 5-weeks, staring May 2027.
Sessions:
Start date
Pre-requisite: HSK 1, HSK 2, HSK 3, HSK 4, HSK 5 courses
Fees:
* Free for enrolled students of the current HSK 5 course and those registered to sit for the HSK 5 exam through our Confucius Institute.
Course Description: This is a Mandarin course suitable for students who have completed HSK 1, HSK 2, HSK 3, HSK 4, and HSK 5 courses and are now willing to revise and prepare to take the HSK 5 exam. Our Tutor will focus on systematically mastering around 2500 Chinese characters/words in everyday contexts and some reading materials. The students will participate in more complex listening comprehension exercises and verbal communication during the course. Students are also expected to read and write complex sentences and small passages of more than 100 characters/words and be able to do some translation.
By the end of this course, students should be ready to pass HSK 5.
We recommend that at least 2 hours of independent study is undertaken each day to ensure students can keep up with the pace of the course.
Learning outcomes: Familiarity with HSK 5 exam structure and question types; more in-depth understanding of Chinese grammar, vocabulary, everyday expressions and/or idioms and cultural knowledge; confidence in self-directed Chinese language learning.
Learning materials: All teaching materials are developed by our teachers using the HSK 5 Standard Course and additional sources. All learning materials provided- apart from recommended textbooks.
Enhance Your Chinese Speaking Skills with Chinese Corner!
Join our interactive online sessions on Teams to practice your Chinese verbal skills in a relaxed and informal environment!
Beginners/Low Intermediate Sessions:
- Dates: 7th October -9th December 2025 and 3rd March-23rd June 2026
- Day: Tuesdays
- Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Intermediate/Advanced Sessions:
- Dates: 9th October - 11th December 2025 and 5th March -25th June 2026
- Day: Thursdays
- Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
What We Offer:
- Free of Charge: No cost to attend!
- Tailored for Your Level: Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your skills, we have sessions for beginners to advanced learners.
- Informal Setting: Relax and engage in conversation with fellow learners.
- TEAMS Meeting Links: Registered attendees will receive the meeting links.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to boost your Chinese speaking proficiency! Registration is now open.
Explore the World of Chinese Characters – Two-Part Online Course Series
Join the Confucius Institute at Bangor University for a thoughtfully structured two-part online course designed to guide you step by step through the fascinating world of Chinese characters (Hanzi). Spanning two semesters, this programme supports your progression from beginner level (HSK 1) to early intermediate (HSK 2), building both confidence and understanding along the way.
Whether you are completely new to Chinese or looking to strengthen your foundation, this course offers a supportive and engaging learning experience.
Why learn Chinese characters?
Chinese characters are not only a writing system but a window into culture, history, and meaning. Learning them enhances memory, visual recognition, and concentration, while offering a deeper appreciation of how the language has evolved over time.
Course Structure
Part 1 – Chinese Characters for HSK 1 (Semester 1)
A gentle and accessible introduction to the fundamentals of Chinese writing.
• Dates: Mondays, 5 October – 7 December 2026
• Basic types of Chinese characters
• Essential strokes and correct stroke order
• Core characters required for HSK 1
• Building recognition and writing confidence
Part 2 – Chinese Characters for HSK 2 (Semester 2)
A natural continuation, expanding your knowledge and fluency.
• Dates: Mondays, 11 January – 15 March 2027
• Reinforcement of HSK 1 characters
• Introduction to additional characters for HSK 2
• Developing reading and writing accuracy
• Understanding character combinations and meaning
Course Details
• Schedule: Mondays at 6:30 pm (online via Zoom)
• Duration: 10 weeks per semester (50 minutes per session)
• Fee: Free of charge
What you will gain
By the end of the two-part course, you will have built a solid foundation in Chinese characters aligned with HSK 1 and HSK 2, giving you the confidence to continue your Mandarin learning journey.
Learning materials
All materials are carefully designed and provided by our experienced tutor. After registration, you will receive the Zoom link and course information directly.
Begin your journey into the beauty of Chinese characters and watch your skills grow step by step.
Registration for the course will open in August 2026, and we look forward to welcoming new learners.
Curious about what we covered last time? Click here to see our previous course.
Empower Your Teaching with Mandarin – CPD Course for Educators
Are you a teacher looking to bring something new, engaging, and globally relevant into your classroom? Join our Mandarin Continuous Professional Development (CPD) course, thoughtfully designed to support educators in introducing Mandarin language and Chinese culture into their teaching practice.
Delivered across two semesters, this flexible online course allows you to build your skills gradually, with space to reflect, practise, and apply your learning in the classroom.
Course Structure
Semester 1
• Dates: Mondays, 5 October – 14 December 2026 (10 weeks)
• (Excluding school half term)
Semester 2
• Dates: Mondays, 11 January – 22 March 2027 (10 weeks)
• (Excluding school half term and bank holidays)
Time: 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Format: Online via Zoom
What you will gain
• Practical Mandarin skills to support simple classroom delivery
• Ready-to-use ideas and resources for integrating Mandarin into lessons
• A supportive learning environment tailored specifically for educators
• Certificate of Attendance to recognise your professional development
• Opportunity to take an HSK exam after you complete the course
• No exams during the course – just enjoyable, meaningful learning at your own pace
Why join this course?
This programme is designed with busy teachers in mind. Whether you are exploring Mandarin for the first time or looking to enrich your school’s global outlook, you will gain practical tools and confidence to bring language and culture to life in your classroom.
Take the next step in your professional development and inspire your pupils with Mandarin.
Registration for the course will open in August 2026, and we look forward to welcoming new learners.
Online Resources
Chinese Culture
The Confucius Institute at Bangor University offers you some videos on Chinese Caligraphy via YouTube. Take this excellent opportunity to learn more and practice this ancient Chinese art.
Please enjoy our video lessons here.