Chinese (2024)

Chinese consists of language acquisition papers in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) and papers on Chinese history, culture and society.

Chinese is available as a specialisation within the International Languages and Cultures major. Details of the requirements for the Chinese language specialisation can be found under International Languages and Cultures.

Chinese may also be taken as a minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

The point of entry into the Chinese language papers depends on previous experience. Those with no previous experience of Chinese, take CHINE131 followed by CHINE231 in the subesequent year. Students with 14 credits at Level 3 in NCEA Chinese or equivalent, will gain direct entry into CHINE232. Students with excellent results at Level 2 in NCEA Chinese or equivalent, may, at the discretion of the Convenor of Chinese, begin with CHINE232. Native speakers of Chinese may not enrol in CHINE131, CHINE231, CHINE232, CHINE331 or CHINE332. Students whose heritage language is Chinese and who wish to enrol in a Chinese language acquisition paper should contact a lecturer in the subject to determine the appropriate level. Please consult with the Programme Convenor for advice on entry point into Chinese language acquisition papers.

The papers in Chinese history, culture and society are taught in English and are also available to non-language students.

Note: Students are encouraged to contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office for programme advice.

Enrolment into the PGCert, PGDip, BA(Hons) and MA in Chinese will be suspended from 2022 onwards.


On this page


  • Prescriptions for the GradCert(Chin) and GradDip(Chin)

    A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Chinese at an advanced level in their first degree.

    For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.

  • Prescriptions for the PGCert(Chin), PGDip(Chin), BA(Hons) and MA

    To complete a BA(Hons) in Chinese, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally CHINE591) and at least 30 points from papers listed for Chinese.

    To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA in Chinese, a student must have completed either:

    a) a BA with a major in International Languages and Cultures: Chinese pathway (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B average in either the best three of their 300 level Chinese papers or all of their undergraduate Chinese papers, or

    b) a BA(Hons) in Chinese (or equivalent) and have gained at least second class honours (second division).

    Completion requirements for the MA in Chinese vary according to admission criteria:

    Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including a research foundations paper, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.

    Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis; or a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers; or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.

    Students contemplating graduate studies should consult the Convenor of Chinese.

    Note: There will be no new intakes into all of these postgraduate qualifications in 2022 onwards.

  • Prescriptions for the MPhil

    The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

  • Prescriptions for the PhD

    The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

  • 100 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    CHINE131Chinese for Beginners15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper introduces you to the Chinese writing system, pinyin, and tones. You will also learn the basics of greetings and self-introductions in Chinese. The paper is for complete beginners only.
  • 200 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    CHINE231Intermediate Chinese 115.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper will extend students' communication skills in Chinese across a range of everyday situations, including celebrations, seeking medical advice, arranging rental accommodation and shopping as a tourist.
    CHINE232Intermediate Chinese 215.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper will enable you to improve your Chinese communication skills across a range of everyday situations by expanding your understanding of more complex grammatical structures and vocabulary.
  • 300 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    CHINE306Reading and Translation Skills: Chinese15.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper is designed primarily for native speakers of Chinese. It is taught bilingually and aims to improve students' bilingual reading skills and develop students' ability to translate from and into Chinese and English.
    CHINE331Advanced Chinese 115.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Intermediate Chinese 2.
    CHINE332Advanced Chinese 215.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Advanced Chinese 1.
    INTLC301Research Methods in International Languages and Cultures15.0No occurrences
    After workshops covering intercultural contexts in research, bibliography, literature reviews, ethics, data collection and editing, students will prepare a research report.
    INTLC303Visual Cultures of East Asia15.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper critically examines key forms of East Asian visual culture, with a focus on film and art, and within a comparative context.
    INTLC380Study Abroad 115.024G (Block), 24I (Block) & 24X (Block)
    This paper will enable students to undertake appropriate individual study abroad programmes as part of their undergraduate degree. Each study programme should have a significant component of time spent offshore, with a series of assessments being agreed in advance with the paper convenor.
  • 800 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    CHINE800Chinese MPhil Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
    No description available.
  • 900 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    CHINE900Chinese PhD Thesis120.024I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
    No description available.

2024 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 22 March 2024 8:11pm

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