Course details

Summary

You can choose from a wide range of subjects in the humanities, social sciences, cultures and languages.

Our new requirement for two majors encourages you to develop substantial knowledge in two areas and enhance your opportunities for careers or postgraduate study.

Our BA develops the skills that are essential for you to adapt and thrive in a fast-changing, globalised economy. You will be able to use your knowledge and skills in many different careers and employment settings.

Chinese

Chinese develops your understanding of contemporary China, an increasingly important global economic power.

You can study the Chinese language from beginners to advanced stages. Your language study will be embedded in cultural contexts as you develop your knowledge of Chinese society, history, politics, film and literature. At postgraduate level you can focus on Chinese translation, linguistics and language teaching.

Chinese and your career

Our graduates have careers in international organizations, NGOs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other areas of government. You might also work for a multinational company or a New Zealand company in Asia, or within New Zealand's Asian communities.

Planning your BA major in Chinese

As well as Chinese language courses, you must take ASIAN 100: Images of Asia and CHINESE 130: Rethinking China. These courses give you a basic knowledge of the history, culture and society of China, and more broadly, Asia.

In later years, we encourage you to combine advanced courses in Chinese language with courses which allow an in-depth study of Chinese literature, culture, history and society.

Requirements for a BA major:

To construct a major or minor in Chinese students are strongly encouraged to complement their language study with courses on Chinese culture, history, society and literature. A minor in Asian Studies with a focus on Chinese culture would most beneficially complement a major in Chinese.

For a single major you must pass at least 135 points, including at least 60 points above Stage II.
For a double major you must pass at least 120 points in each of two majors, including at least 45 points above Stage II in each major.

Modules

A Module is a grouping of three courses (45 points) on a particular theme which enables you to add value to your degree.

What are Modules?

Modules are a new feature of the Bachelor of Arts from 2018.

Modules are optional. If you wish to, you may take one or two modules in addition to your two majors within the overall structure of the BA.

Modules are designed to complement the skills you will develop through your other studies. The skills you can expect to gain through BA study are outlined in our Graduate Profile.

The benefits of taking a module

By taking a module you can focus the study outside your majors on a specific, skills-based area.
This will enable you to add to your skill set for future employment, develop skills that you can use in the workplace, stand out from other graduates and enhance your career prospects. The content and skills offered by modules may help inform or benefit future potential career paths.
As Modules are formally acknowledged on your academic record, you will be able to demonstrate your ability in a specific set of skills or areas of knowledge outside your majors.

Further study options

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Master of Arts

Entry criteria

Secondary school qualifications

You need to have one of the following:

International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24.

General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects with at least a 'C' grade or higher. General Studies or similar general papers cannot be included.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA, Pearson Education Limited and CIE taken outside of New Zealand.

English language requirements:

IELTS 6.0; TOEFL (iBT) 80; TOEFL (paper-based) 550; CAE or CPE 169; PTE 50; MELAB 80.