About Chinese studies

We offer the most comprehensive Chinese language program available in Australia with six distinct entry points, from the introductory level (for students with no previous Chinese language ability) through to the Chinese as a first language stream.

Why take Chinese studies?

China is a powerhouse of the world economy and is increasingly important to Australia within government and private sectors. Majoring in Chinese means you’ll be proficient in Mandarin, conversant in the culture, history and politics of China and will broaden your career options.

Chinese studies is a great complement to your degree.

The Chinese studies major offers different entry points to cater for diverse proficiency and background needs, equipping you with the appropriate language and translation skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of Chinese culture and society. Chinese studies at Monash provides immersion opportunities through in-country studies in Beijing and Shanghai as well as online through our virtual Chinese Island in Second Life.

What will you study?

Studying Chinese is as much about the language as it is about the culture, history and politics of China. You’ll explore topics such as:

• Chinese language (offering six distinct entry points)
• Literature, art and architecture
• International current affairs.

As well as your language units, examples of other units you can study include:

• Understanding modern China
• Understanding contemporary China
• Translating across cultures
• Chinese online media: Contemporary issues and perspectives
• Global Asia
• Asia’s underside: Violence, crime and protest
• Chinese studies advanced 3: Contemporary Chinese
• Chinese business translation
• Professional practice
• Chinese Media Analysis
• The fall and rise of modern China: From opium war to opening-up
• Social institutions and power in Asia.

What careers will you be ready for?

Learning Chinese will open up opportunities to pursue a career in:

• Translating/interpreting
• Trade
• Tourism
• Diplomacy
• Business
• Banking
• Teaching and much more.

Who will be teaching you?

China research interests at Monash range over many areas of culture, politics and society with a focus on developments in modern and present-day China as well as the Chinese-speaking world. Individual and collaborative research projects include:

• Chinese language teaching and Chinese applied linguistics
• Chinese media studies
• Chinese aesthetics and literary studies
• Chinese translation and interpreting
• modern and contemporary Chinese thought
• studies of Republican-era China
• and studies of the Chinese Communist Party.

Global study

With Monash’s impressive international links, you’ll get the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Chinese language and culture.

Short term programs:

• Cultural intelligence: Building competencies for global leadership – Italy
• Chinese Intensive Language Program (CILP) – Shanghai or Beijing, China

Exchange programs include:

• Chinese University of Hong Kong
• University of Hong Kong
• Fudan University
• Nanjing University
• Peking University
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• Tsinghua University.

GIG: Global Immersion Guarantee

The Monash Arts Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) is an award-winning initiative that will enable you to explore first-hand the relationships between society, technology and the environment. It’s a two-week, funded study trip for all eligible first-year Monash Arts, single or double degree students to one of six destinations – China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia or the Pacific Islands.

Australia’s leading university language program

When you study languages at Monash, you'll be studying at Australia’s largest international university, ranked in the top 1% in the world for Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences. We offer the most comprehensive, flexible and well-integrated program incorporating language acquisition with cultural competence. Choose from a wide range of Asian and European languages: Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean; and French, German, Italian, and Spanish and Latin American studies (within the European Languages Area of Study). Find out more about Languages at Monash.