Study Chinese at postgraduate level and gain skills critical to New Zealand’s engagement with the Asia–Pacific.
Why study postgraduate Chinese?
Postgraduate study in Chinese offers advanced engagement with the language, texts, and cultural perspectives that shape one of the world’s most influential societies. You will work at a sophisticated level across Chinese language, literature, film, and cultural analysis, refining your interpretive judgement, linguistic precision, and ability to engage confidently with material spanning historical and contemporary contexts.
The programme supports focused, self-directed inquiry, allowing you to pursue specialised interests in modern Chinese society, cultural history, or advanced language practice. With expert supervision and strong research resources, you will build depth of knowledge and expertise relevant to international, policy, cultural, and professional contexts.
Career opportunities
Graduates often work in roles that involve communication, research or engagement with Chinese speaking communities or organisations. Career pathways include:
- International business or trade roles involving Chinese markets
- Translation, interpreting or cross-cultural communication work
- Government, foreign affairs or policy advisory roles
- Teaching or educational outreach
- Research, writing, journalism or media work related to China or Asia New Zealand engagement
What it’s like to study at this level
Postgraduate Chinese at Otago combines advanced coursework with opportunities for guided research and independent study. You work with authentic texts, films and scholarly writing, and you explore new ways of thinking about culture, society and communication. If you choose a research pathway you will develop a project with support from academic supervisors who help you refine your ideas and methods.
You’ll also join a small, engaged community where discussion, collaboration and shared inquiry shape your learning. Otago can arrange in-country study for students at partner universities in China.
This is for you if ...
It is helpful to have prior experience with the language or a strong interest in Chinese culture, literature, society and global issues.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Chinese as an undergraduate at Otago.
Grow your expertise, broaden your future
Otago’s Chinese programme offers a supportive environment where you can deepen your knowledge and challenge your thinking. You’ll learn from staff with expertise in language, literature, cinema and cultural studies, and you will have access to a programme that encourages both breadth and depth.
You can progress through Honours, Master’s or doctoral pathways, each designed to help you grow as a researcher or specialist. Small classes and a lively intellectual community mean you can develop your ideas with confidence while receiving thoughtful guidance from experienced academics.
Studying Chinese at Otago invites you to think widely, engage critically and build a future shaped by language and cultural insight.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
A two-semester programme of structured coursework, and in some cases supervised research, extending the knowledge and skills gained from the bachelor’s degree
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
A one- or two-year degree entailing a major research project, culminating in a thesis
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
Applications for the Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Chinese are no longer being accepted. The Languages and Cultures programme Kā Reo me kā Tikaka o te Ao Whānui is introducing a new curriculum which will no longer offer honours.
| Papers |
|---|
| CHIN 441 Advanced Topics in Chinese |
| CHIN 451 Studies in Chinese |
| CHIN 452 Studies in Chinese 2 |
| CHIN 490 Dissertation |
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Chinese is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Chinese or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Chinese must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Chinese prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
CHIN papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHIN131 | 2026 | Introductory Chinese 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHIN132 | 2026 | Introductory Chinese 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHIN231 | 2026 | Intermediate Chinese 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHIN232 | 2026 | Intermediate Chinese 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHIN241 | 2026 | Contemporary Chinese Society | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| CHIN243 | 2026 | Reading Chinese Literature in the World | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| CHIN244 | 2026 | Writing China: Texts, Ideas and History | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| CHIN250 | 2026 | Practical Chinese: Chinese/English Translation | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| CHIN334 | 2026 | Advanced Chinese 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CHIN335 | 2026 | Advanced Chinese 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CHIN343 | 2026 | Reading Chinese Literature in the World | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| CHIN344 | 2026 | Writing China: Texts, Ideas and History | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| CHIN441 | 2026 | Advanced Topics in Chinese | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| CHIN451 | 2026 | Studies in Chinese | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| CHIN452 | 2026 | Studies in Chinese 2 | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| CHIN490 | 2026 | Dissertation | 60 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| CHIN590 | 2026 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | Not offered in 2026 |
Contacts
School of Arts
Languages and Cultures Programme
Web otago.ac.nz/chinese
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
World-class research
The University of Otago has a global reputation for research excellence. Our expertise is vast across health, society, culture, sustainability and the environment.
Explore our research