Bachelor of Asian Studies (Combined Programs)
Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University
Introduction
Combined programs leading to two degrees mean that when you successfully complete your studies, you are awarded two Bachelor degrees. Details of combined program structures are set out in the combined degrees section of the Undergraduate Handbook. In all combined degree programs, the minimum Asian Studies component is 96 units, comprising at least 48 units in an Asian language major and at least 36 units of a non-language cognitive major in a field of study such as: Asian History, Asian Religion, Contemporary Asian Societies, Asian Politics and International Relations, or Security Studies. Japanese language students may choose to take the Japanese Linguistics major in lieu of the cognitive major.
Studies in a combined program which includes Asian Studies, generally take 4 or 5 years (5 or 6 years if combined with the Bachelor of Asian Studies (Specialist) course) as a full-time student. Most students undertake combined programs on a full-time basis. Part-time studies can be quite demanding and are only recommended for particularly committed students.
For comprehensive information about entry requirements for specific programs you are encouraged to seek specific guidance, by appointment, with the Sub-Dean of the Faculty. Please contact the Faculty Secretary Support Officer Frank.Filardo@anu.edu.au to arrange an appointment.
Combined degrees
The following combined degrees are offered:
Majors
Asian language majors
Asian language majors are offered in:
Cognitive (non-language) Major
In this major students may select from several fields of study:
Major
Degree with Honours
The purpose of the Asian Studies honours program is to encourage students of high calibre to deepen their involvement in a chosen field of study. A Bachelor degree with honours is a prestigious qualification in its own right, and a significant positive discriminator in the job market. It is also the most effective means of qualifying for higher degrees be research.
If you obtain overall distinction level results or better in the early years of your degree, you may be eligible to undertake an honours program.
The degree with honours involves additional coursework and a research dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words. For the Bachelor of Asian Studies and the combined programs leading to two Bachelor degrees, this additional work requires one further full year of study.
Honours in Asian Studies pages provide comprehensive information about the Honours Program at the Faculty.
Careers
As Australia moves toward increased educational, trade, business, legal and cultural interaction with Asia, the demand for people with Asian language training and knowledge of the area is increasing.
Career prospects for Asian Studies graduates in both the public and private sectors are good. Asian Studies graduates find employment in marketing, international trade, banking and finance, teaching, tourism, as well as all areas of federal, state and overseas government departments. Graduates who have combined their studies of Asia with vocationally oriented qualifications in, say, economics, international relations, political science or law, are especially well placed to find employment in Australia and overseas, and are well placed to benefit from career opportunities which are opening up as Australia's relations with the nations of Asia continue to develop. Asian language graduates obtain employment as translators and interpreters. There is a need for personnel who can communicate with non-English speakers, specifically in government departments dealing with immigration and ethnic affairs, foreign affairs, customs and excise, social welfare, health and consumer affairs. Further, a number of foreign language newspapers and radio programs employ translators. Asian language graduates who complete a postgraduate Diploma of Education can teach languages in primary and secondary schools. Asian Studies graduates are also employable in areas not directly related to their language and area studies because the training they obtain develops the ability to carry out research, communicate ideas and suggest solutions to problems. Employers value their high level of intellectual training.
You might also be interested to read a message from the Dean of the Faculty of Asian Studies in which he explains why Asian Studies is important, why study Asian Studies at ANU, and what are Asian Studies graduates' career prospects.
For a look at some Faculty of Asian Studies graduate stories go to Graduate Highlights.
For more information on careers see the ANU Careers Centre website.
Further information
- Detailed information about Faculty of Asian Studies programs, including admission requirements, prerequisites, career possibilities, program requirements, Majors and Specialisations, and degree structure and courses, is published in the ANU online handbook, which also provides authoritative information concerning the programs and courses available in any particular year.
- You are encouraged to seek specific guidance on these matters from the Sub-Dean of the Faculty. Please email Enquiries.AsianStudies@anu.edu.au or phone 6125 0515 to arrange an appointment.