Saint Michael's College

What you'll study

The programme builds a core foundation in Western philosophy—logic, ethics, metaphysics and the history of philosophy—while providing specialised training in Chinese philosophical traditions and cultural contexts. Course work typically includes a mix of required philosophy courses and elective modules drawn from Asian studies and language departments.

• Core philosophy courses: introductory logic and critical thinking; ethics; modern and ancient Western philosophy; research methods in philosophy.
• Chinese philosophy sequence: classical Confucianism (including Analects, Mencius, Xunzi), Daoist texts (Dao De Jing, Zhuangzi), Buddhist thought in East Asia, Song-Ming Confucianism and modern Chinese philosophical responses to global modernity.
• Language and culture: progressive Mandarin Chinese language courses focused on reading classical and modern texts; courses in Chinese literature, history, religion and cultural studies to provide contextual grounding.
• Comparative and thematic modules: comparative ethics, philosophy of religion in East Asian context, environmental philosophy and Daoist perspectives, political philosophy comparing Confucian and Western models.
• Capstone and independent study: a senior seminar or honours thesis integrating primary texts, language work and philosophical analysis, often supervised by faculty with expertise in East Asian philosophy or comparative thought.
• Optional experiences: internships with cultural organisations, study abroad in Greater China or Taiwan (where available), and undergraduate research projects with faculty mentors.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised secondary school diploma and demonstrate a record of strong academic achievement, particularly in the humanities and language studies where available. The College looks for evidence of critical reading and writing skills, intellectual curiosity, and the capacity to engage in discussion-based seminars.

• High school transcript or equivalent showing consistent academic performance.
• Personal statement outlining interest in philosophy and Chinese culture, and how the programme fits academic and career goals.
• At least one academic recommendation from a teacher or counsellor.
• Placement in college language courses is determined by prior study; students with no Mandarin background are admitted and can begin language study at the introductory level.
• International applicants must meet the College's standard evidence of English proficiency and document qualifications per the general admissions process.

Career prospects

Graduates develop strong analytic, cross-cultural and communication skills valued across many sectors. The programme prepares students for a variety of pathways in both the public and private spheres.

• Further study: graduate programmes in philosophy, East Asian studies, law, education, international relations or theology.
• Education and academia: secondary teaching, curriculum development, or continued academic research and teaching in higher education.
• Public and cultural sectors: roles in diplomacy, cultural heritage organisations, museums, non-profit organisations focused on Asia, and governmental agencies.
• Language and communications: translation and interpretation, publishing, journalism and communications roles that benefit from Mandarin competency and cultural literacy.
• Business and policy: positions in international business, consulting or policy analysis where ethical reasoning and cross-cultural competence are assets.

Why study at Saint Michael's College

Saint Michael’s offers a liberal-arts environment with small class sizes and close faculty mentoring, which is especially valuable for text-based, discussion-led study in philosophy. Faculty in the philosophy and global studies programmes often have strengths in comparative philosophy and East Asian thought, enabling supervised independent research and thesis supervision at the undergraduate level.

• Personalised learning: small seminars and one-to-one advising support sustained engagement with primary texts and language study.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: easy cross-registration with related disciplines such as history, religious studies and modern languages to build a bespoke programme in Chinese culture and thought.
• Experiential learning: access to internships, study-abroad arrangements and community-based projects that deepen cultural competence and professional readiness.
• Community and location: a collegial campus culture that supports undergraduate research and reflective study, with proximity to regional cultural resources and opportunities for collaboration.