Program Overview

Introduction to Chinese

The Chinese program offers students the opportunity to gain insight and access to Chinese culture through the study of the Chinese language. China is one of the world's oldest civilizations, with Mandarin Chinese spoken by more than half the world's population. Studying Chinese gives students access to this economic power, with huge international influence and ever-growing relations with Aotearoa.

What Will My Study Involve?

• Learn modern standard Chinese.
• Experience Chinese society, including literature, cinema, technology, and modern culture.
• The University of Canterbury's Confucius Institute, in collaboration with Huazhong University of Science and Technology, provides opportunities to practice Chinese language and experience the culture on campus.
• Exchange opportunities with China, including business tours and language immersion with Chinese universities.

Courses

Major and Minor students in Chinese will start with the language course appropriate to their Chinese language proficiency level. The 100-level language course CHIN151 Chinese Language 1-A is for beginners or those with very little previous experience in Chinese language. Those with prior knowledge of the Chinese language may be given direct entry to higher-level courses by showing evidence of previous study or sitting a placement test.

Chinese Major

The Chinese major in the Bachelor of Arts consists of both language and culture courses of at least 135 points, including at least 105 of those points above 100-level. The following courses are required:

• 100-level: CHIN155 Understanding China
• 300-level: CHIN352 Chinese Language 3-B

Chinese Minor

For the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health, Product Design, Science, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership, complete the following courses:

• 75 points in 100 to 300-level CHIN courses, with at least 45 points above 100-level, and at least one Chinese language course.

Career Opportunities

Learning Chinese will open up work both in Aotearoa and overseas, including exchange opportunities while studying. There are lots of ways to strengthen cross-cultural communication and awareness at the University of Canterbury. Career pathways could include:

• Interpreting and translation
• Tourism and travel agencies
• Business and trade relations
• Immigration

Qualifications

The University of Canterbury offers various qualifications related to Chinese, including:

• Certificate in Arts
• Certificate in Languages
• Diploma in Arts
• Diploma in Languages
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts (Specialisations)
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours
• Bachelor of Health
• Bachelor of Product Design
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
• Bachelor of Sport
• Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership

Related Subjects

Choose an area that you are interested in and learn how the University of Canterbury's range of study options can let you study what you want to, including:

• International Affairs
• International Business