Career opportunities
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a major in Chinese language and culture will give you a better chance of finding jobs in tourism, education, trade, banking, mass media, interpretation / translation, as well as in foreign affairs and other government agencies.
Combining another degree with Chinese as a minor or as a Diploma also increases students' options in the job market. If you want to teach Chinese at primary or secondary school you need to have a BA in Chinese and a qualification in teaching. If you are thinking about a career in diplomacy, you could consider including Chinese in a degree in law, politics, history or geography.
If you are interested in teaching English in mainland China or Taiwan you will find English or linguistics useful subjects to go along with Chinese. A career in media and journalism will also greatly benefit from an additional proficiency in Chinese language. Another attractive option that has become increasingly popular among our students is combining Chinese with a degree in Commerce or Science, which opens up employment opportunities in companies that have links with China.
Recommended background
You can enrol in our beginner level course (CHIN131) with no previous knowledge of Chinese. If you already have some knowledge of Chinese (e.g. have studied it at high school, lived in China, or have been exposed to Chinese in a family setting), you may be able to enrol in a more advanced course (such as CHIN132 or CHIN231).
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Diploma in Language (DipLang)
The Diploma in Language is offered in one of five core languages: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Arts along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Chinese
Explore postgraduate study in Chinese at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in a support...
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Papers |
|---|
| Seven of: Students admitted directly to papers at 200- or 300-level must replace their prerequisites with other papers in the subject concerned |
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | CHIN 131 Introductory Chinese 1 | 18 |
| CHIN 132 Introductory Chinese 2 | 18 | |
| One of GLBL 110, LING 111 | 18 | |
| 200-level | CHIN 231 Intermediate Chinese 1 | 18 |
| CHIN 232 Intermediate Chinese 2 | 18 | |
| One of ASIA 201, ASIA 202, GLBL 201, GLBL 202 | 18 | |
| 300-level | CHIN 334 Advanced Chinese 1 | 18 |
| CHIN 335 Advanced Chinese 2 | 18 | |
| Two of ASIA 302, ASIA 311, GLBL 301, GLBL 302 | 36 | |
Notes: | ||
| Plus | 180 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 180 |
| Total | 360 |
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | LING 111 A World of Languages | 18 |
| Two 100-level papers in one of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Māori, Spanish | 36 | |
| 200-level | LING 217 What's Behind Language: Sound and Structure | 18 |
| One further 200-level LING paper (excluding LING 231 TESOL: Guide to Language Teaching) | 18 | |
| Two 200-level papers in the language continued from 100-level | 36 | |
| 300-level | Two 300-level LING papers | 36 |
| Two 300-level papers in the language continued from 200-level | 36 | |
| Plus | 162 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. | 162 |
| Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | ||
| Note: In the case of Māori language, students will take MAOR 111, MAOR 211, and MAOR 311 at 100-, 200-, and 300-level respectively. | ||
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Papers | Points |
|---|---|
Five CHIN papers or relevant non-CHIN content papers, at least three of which must be above 100-level, including at least one at 300-level. | 90 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
CHIN papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHIN131 | 2025 | Introductory Chinese 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHIN132 | 2025 | Introductory Chinese 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHIN231 | 2025 | Intermediate Chinese 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHIN232 | 2025 | Intermediate Chinese 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHIN241 | 2025 | Contemporary Chinese Society | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN242 | 2025 | Screening Chinese Cinemas | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN243 | 2025 | Reading Chinese Literature in the World | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN244 | 2025 | Writing China: Texts, Ideas and History | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN250 | 2025 | Practical Chinese: Chinese/English Translation | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN334 | 2025 | Advanced Chinese 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHIN335 | 2025 | Advanced Chinese 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHIN342 | 2025 | Screening Chinese Cinemas | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN343 | 2025 | Reading Chinese Literature in the World | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN344 | 2025 | Writing China: Texts, Ideas and History | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN441 | 2025 | Advanced Topics in Chinese | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN451 | 2025 | Studies in Chinese | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN452 | 2025 | Studies in Chinese 2 | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| CHIN590 | 2025 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | Not offered in 2025 |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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