About us

Personalise

Standing of UNSW Sydney and the School of Humanities & Languages

UNSW Sydney, a prestigious public research university, proudly hosts the first Chinese HSK Centre affiliated with a university in Sydney and New South Wales. We take immense pride in being a part of UNSW Sydney, which is ranked 19th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2024, and ranked the 1st  in Australia for research excellence and impact, as well as boasting the most employable students in the AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards from 2020 to 2023. Renowned for its rigorous academic approach, innovative teaching methods, and strong connection to societal needs, UNSW Sydney consistently garners recognition as one of the leading universities in the Asia Pacific region.

The School of Humanities & Languages stands as one of Australia's premier hubs for teaching and research excellence in humanities and languages. Our fundamental mission is to nurture our students into global citizens by fostering critical thinking skills, cultivating historical, cultural, and linguistic understanding, facilitating language acquisition, and encouraging informed engagement with the world. We approach teaching and research through an interdisciplinary, multilingual, and global lens. Our esteemed teachers, highly regarded by students across UNSW, equip you with vital skills such as critical analysis, historical perspectives, language proficiency, and sociocultural and environmental insights, preparing you for a successful career with a global outlook.

The Makeup of the Students and Academic Coverage

UNSW Sydney is a vibrant and diverse comprehensive institution with more than 60,000 students. In addition to local students, there are also students from 130 countries, including China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries as well as countries in Europe and America.  In the past 50 years, UNSW Sydney has trained thousands of students all over the world, who play important roles in government, business, industry and various other sectors in both Australia and other countries.

We are a dynamic and intellectually vibrant community of scholars and teachers with a special focus on the world and its peoples.

Asian Studies at UNSW explores Asia's cultural, political, historical, and literary landscapes through an interdisciplinary perspective covering East, South, Southeast, Central, and West Asia. European Studies explores interdisciplinary perspectives on European societies in the past and present. Australian Studies at UNSW offers you the opportunity to examine Australian culture and society from the perspectives of a variety of complementary disciplines and other area studies, including History, Indigenous Studies, and Environmental Studies.

As well as Chinese, the School of Humanities & Languages also offers Japanese, Korean, French, Spanish, German, Greek & Italian, and Indonesian Studies.

Institutional Environment and Chinese Studies Program

Sydney, where UNSW is located, is the economic, cultural, and financial centre of Australia. UNSW Sydney houses advanced modern teaching and examination facilities with 222 modern classrooms in the main campus of Kensington. The School of Humanities and Languages has one of the most advanced language labs in Australia. The Chinese Studies Program is one of the largest in the country in terms of both course offerings and student enrolments.  Take the year 2020 alone for example, despite the epidemic, there were still as many as 1,638 students taking Chinese courses. As well as undergraduates, we also have MA and PhD students.

Chinese Studies at UNSW is widely acknowledged as the first choice for students interested in Chinese language and culture. It is known for its large enrolments and diverse course offerings. The Chinese language is captivating, with a profound cultural heritage and an increasingly critical role in global business and communication. Chinese Studies at UNSW encompasses two primary components: developing proficiency in the Chinese language and exploring various facets of Chinese culture and society. By undertaking Chinese Studies at UNSW, you will be well-equipped for a wide range of professional specializations, including commerce, business, diplomacy, education, tourism, media, and public service.