FAQs

What is Chinese?
 

Chinese promotes the study and appreciation of Chinese language and culture. It provides multiple local and global perspectives, broadening students’ knowledge of the contemporary world, and making them adaptable and culturally attuned to regional and international environments.

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What is the emphasis of the Chinese Major at NTU?

The Chinese programme at NTU will equip students with a strong foundation in the reading of classical and modern texts, a deeper understanding of the Chinese language, and a broad perspective on Chinese History and the Chinese Diaspora in Southeast Asia.

We offer four areas of specialisation:

a. Chinese literature and culture
b. Chinese history and thought and China Studies

c. Linguistics and Chinese linguistics
d. Studies of Ethnic Chinese

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How is Chinese at NTU different?

• Chinese at NTU offers you a variety of courses. We not only teach courses such as Chinese literature and thoughts that fit your interests in Chinese traditional culture, but also diverse courses on historical and contemporary issues, ethnic Chinese, and so on. Students in the Chinese programme are not only bilingual, but also bicultural;
• Chinese provides two unique minors, namely creative writing in Chinese and translation.

The two minors which broaden our students’ learning and career opportunities, are   highly attractive to students from both Chinese and other majors.

• The faculty in the Chinese programme come with different backgrounds and research interests. They are established, friendly and dedicated to teaching and research.

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What can I do with a Chinese degree?
 

Students in the Chinese programme at SoH NTU do not only focus on Chinese language and culture, but also contemporary China issues, involving interdisciplinary study – economics, politics, culture, history, philosophy, linguistics, etc, which are relevant in today’s world and fit the needs in job market. In addition to the Chinese major, students can also flexibly plan for a second major or a minor based on their interests and needs.

The employment rate of our Chinese graduates has remained high over the years. Our alumni have established their careers in a variety of industries, including public services, education, media, international business, advertising, public relations, journalism, publishing, translation, theatre and arts, consultant/Advisory Role, etc.

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Will I be in a disadvantageous position after learning Chinese for four years, while the working language in Singapore is English?

NTU adopts broad-based undergraduate education. That is, approximately one third of your curriculum is devoted to Broadening courses, General Electives and Minor courses, which are mainly conducted in English language. In addition, our Chinese programme offers Minor in Translation, where you can develop skills and knowledge in both Chinese and English. In a market where demand for Chinese remains high, being a Chinese major who is bilingually and biculturally equipped will actually put you in an advantageous position. 

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Will I have the opportunity to study abroad?

Yes. Many of our students apply for exchange in top universities in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Our students can also broaden their experiences if they are interested in other countries or regions, such as Korea, Japan, Europe, and US.

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I am reading Chinese/Higher Chinese at A level. Do I have an advantage in doing the Chinese Major?

A background in Chinese/Higher Chinese at A level is certainly helpful to a certain extent. However, the Chinese Major at NTU requires more critical thinking and analytical skills in your approach. You will gain a wider range of knowledge including literature, linguistics, history, philosophy, and regional studies, and develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

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Does the Chinese Major accept international students?

Yes, we do. In general, around 20% of NTU’s intake is made up of international students. 

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Can I complete the programme in less than 4 years?

Yes, you can. 

中文主修(荣誉)文学士课程-常见问题及解答

南大中文系主修课程的重点是什么？

中文系的课程包括古典与现代作品的阅读，以及中国文学、语言、文化、历史、思想方面的基本知识。我们提供四个专业领域的课程，让你能够根据兴趣深入了解。这四个专业领域是：

1. 文学与文化
2. 中国历史、思想与中国研究
3. 语言学与汉语言学
4. 海外华人研究

南大中文系有什么特别？

在南大，你可以有更多样化的选择！如果你对中国传统文化感兴趣，想了解更多中国的经典，我们有传统的文学、历史、思想等方面的课程供你选择。如果你有兴趣了解更多目前中国的情况，我们也有课程供你讨论最热门、最新鲜的课题。如果你对海外华人有兴趣，我们也有相关课程。我们的目标是培养双语双文化人才。

此外，我们中文系设有两个很特别的副修：华文创意写作和翻译。这两个副修相当热门，不但中文系的许多同学会选择，还吸引了很多外系甚至外院的同学。

我们中文系的老师相当国际化，有着广泛的研究兴趣。他们也非常鼓励并欢迎有兴趣的同学们一起讨论或参与研究。

还有值得一提的是，我们中文系一直以来不仅同学之间相当友爱，师生之情也十分融洽浓厚。你来了后，一定能感受到我们中文系大家庭的温馨。

我很喜欢中文，可是，我也必须考虑现实的问题。拿中文文凭有什么的工作前景呢？

别担心，你不必为了现实的考虑而放弃中文。我们在中文系不仅仅学习汉语语言和文化，也注重当代问题，强调跨学科学习，包括与经济学、政治学、文化、历史、哲学、语言学等的结合，这样的跨学科训练高度迎合当前市场需求。在南大，我们的课程组合很有弹性，你可以按照个人兴趣及实际需要修读双主修，或者一主一副，如中文与经济、中文与传播学等等。历年来，中文系毕业生的就业率很高，我们的校友分布在各行各业，包括公共服务、教育、媒体、国际商务、广告、公共关系、媒体、出版、翻译、戏剧与艺术、咨询等等。

读了四年中文系，会不会和英文脱节？新加坡的主要工作语言是英文，中文系毕业生会不会吃亏？

这一方面，你一点都不需要担心。南大为学生提供全面的教育，我们的主修课程中，有大约三分之一是通识课程、自由选修单元以及副修课程。这些课程大部分是用英语进行教学的。

此外，如果你想增强你的中英双语能力，我们非常鼓励你修读翻译副修课程和华文创意写作副修（也由中文系开办）。具备双语、双文化能力之后，你将会有更多更好的就业机会。

我有没有到外国大学浸濡学习的机会？

当然有啦！南大非常鼓励学生到外国的大学浸濡学习。我们系的很多同学申请去中国大陆、香港、台湾等地的知名学府交换。我们也有学生通过交换，去韩国、日本、欧洲、美国等地丰富自己的人生经验。

我修读高级水准的华文/高级华文，来到南大中文系有没有优势？

这些课程让你接触一些古典与现代的文学作品，也提供一些中国文化历史方面的背景知识。作为一个开始，的确是有些帮助。不过，在全球化与资讯科技发达的年代，拥有批判思维能力与分析技巧是非常重要的。这不只是南大中文系主修课程的宗旨，也是我们对你的要求。

不过，你不用担心，通过修读南大中文系的课程，你就会逐渐掌握这些技能，并且学到更深更广的知识，包括文学、语言学、历史、思想、区域研究等等。

我可以在不到四年的时间之内修完所有课程吗？

南大的课程是四年制课程。不过，做好充分准备的学生可以有计划地缩短修业时间。他们可以每学期多修一些科目，也可以在两个正式学期之间的短学期选修额外的科目。

南大中文系接受外国学生吗？