Bachelor of Arts (Chinese)
UndergraduateCUR-CHN-DEG2024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Explore the language, culture, and society of China
Study Chinese culture and business practices. You’ll develop your Chinese language skills from beginner to advanced. Expand your world view. Communicate across cultures. Start to think about engaging with the Chinese community.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Arts (Chinese)
About this degree
On successful completion of this Course the learner will be able to:
- communicate in Chinese, and apply knowledge of applied linguistics and intercultural communication in a professional context
- critically analyse issues in the context of cultural and linguistic differences
- locate, evaluate and synthesise information from various sources using Chinese and English
- function in Chinese with an ability to communicate in an appropriate register in a range of situations and for a range of purposes
- use technology effectively to collect information and communicate in Chinese and English
- take responsibility for own learning and professional development in an international context
- evaluate and analyse issues arising in the region with in-depth knowledge of Chinese language and culture
- interact with people from a range of cultures and backgrounds with an understanding of cultural differences
- work independently and collaboratively with an intercultural understanding
The Bachelor of Arts (Chinese) combines real-time interactive language learning and engaging digital tutorials with authentic resources to help you build your skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing Chinese. The degree also provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in China’s long history and rich cultural heritage, raise your intercultural awareness, and foster your competency in communicating with Chinese speakers.
Show future employers your value by setting yourself apart as a global communicator. China’s position as the second largest economy in the world makes it a key player in international geopolitics, as well as being a major trade partner of Australia. An understanding of Chinese language and culture can make you an asset to companies who rely on successful regional and global engagement to bridge the gap between China and the wider world.
Completion of this major will provide students with the ability to communicate effectively in Chinese (Mandarin), with a focus on the use of the Chinese language and an understanding of Chinese culture, society and business practices in China.
Recommended study pattern
The degree has been designed to be sequential and developmental in nature, meaning that students will need to complete the core subjects at each level before progressing to the next level. Students must complete any prerequisite subjects required.
Please note you can only do a maximum of 10 first year subjects in your single major degree. Students could select subjects from the Level 1 Optional Subjects list, or any undergraduate subjects offered through OUA.
Year Level 1
- APC100 Academic and Professional Communications
- COM155 Culture to Cultures
- CHN100 Beginning Chinese
- CHN110 Beginning Chinese Developing
- 4x Electives (to the value of 100 credits)
Recommended electives:
- ASIA100 Discovering Asia
- ASIA110 Communicating with Asia: Languages and Societies
Year Level 2
- CHN200 Pre-Intermediate Chinese
- CHN210 Pre-Intermediate Chinese Developing
- CHIN220 Chinese Society and Culture
- CHN230 Communicating with China
- 4x Electives (to the value of 100 credits)
Year Level 3
- CHN300 Intermediate Chinese
- CHN310 Advanced Chinese Developing
- CHN320 Advanced Chinese
- CHN330 Intermediate Chinese Developing
- 4x Electives (to the value of 100 credits)
The standard full-time study load is two subjects per study period.
Download the enrolment planner via the link below to determine the recommended sequence of full-time enrolment, based on your study period of commencement. If you wish to enrol in a part-time load then please select one subject from the two listed for each study period.
Bachelor of Arts Asian Languages enrolment planner 2021
Award requirements
Students must complete 24 subjects and meet the following requirements:
- Complete twelve compulsory core subjects
- Complete twelve elective subjects
- Complete at least twelve Curtin University subjects
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $17,775
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 14
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 15
Entry requirements
Start small with no entry requirements
Yes, you can get into this degree!
Gain entry through single subjects, regardless of your ATAR or study history. Here’s how:
Single subjects
Start with subjects
Enrol and pass subjects from this degree. You can get access to HELP loans if you’re eligible. This enrolment option is only available through Open Universities Australia.
Need help choosing a subject to start with? We’ll recommend one.
Continue to the Bachelor of Arts (Chinese)
Enter the degree with full credits from your subjects. You’ll study for the same amount of time as students who go straight into the degree.
Successful study through OUA – either:
- Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level (this satisfies the English language proficiency requirement) OR
- Successful completion of two OUA degree level subjects with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.
- Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre Prerequisites
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
- Finished secondary education more than two years ago
- Bridging and enabling degree entry
- Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady
- Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.
Additional information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies
- Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications
Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:
- Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
- Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at English Language Requirements.
*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience. Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment. To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines. More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).
Career opportunities
A working knowledge of the Chinese language and culture opens up career opportunities in Australia, China and abroad. This degree, by itself or paired with another degree, can help you become:
- a research officer
- foreign affairs and trade officer
- an interpreter or translator
- a teacher (English or Chinese as a Second Language)
- an international journalist
It may also help you pursue a career in:
- global business, banking and finance
- the mining and resource sector
- international relations
- public health and health promotion
- marketing and public relations
- tourism and hospitality
Above all, it will place you in a diverse community of students from around the world who can operate successfully in a Chinese cultural context.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Intelligence and Policy Analysts | $93K to $120K | Up 22.6% |
Interpreters | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Legislators | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
Public Relations Professionals | $93K to $120K | Up 20.8% |
Translators | N/A^ | N/A^ |
^ There is no data available
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.