That possibility inspired Ms. Dai, the translator, an associate professor and vice dean of the department of Chinese language and literature at Fudan University in Shanghai.

WSJ: 'Finnegans Wake' Is Greek to Many; Now Imagine It in Chinese

Professor Nigel Leask, regius professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Glasgow, said Burns read widely in the contemporary literature on the subject while he was being trained.

BBC: Robert Burns honoured for work as land surveyor

Oxford came top for English language and literature, philosophy, modern languages and geography in the QS World University Rankings by subject.

BBC: Oxbridge rated best in world for seven key subjects