Why study Chinese?
Chinese culture is both rich and far-reaching and today China is the world's biggest trading nation and the second largest economy. As China is an increasingly important business partner of New Zealand, learning Chinese will give you the edge over other candidates for a wide variety of jobs.
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.
