Presbyterian College

What you'll study

This programme builds a core foundation in Western and global philosophical methods while offering concentrated study in Chinese philosophical traditions and the cultural contexts that shaped them. You will study primary texts in translation and engage with historical and contemporary interpretations of Confucianism, Daoism (Taoism), Mohism, Chinese Buddhism, and Neo-Confucian thought. Courses combine close reading, historical analysis and thematic approaches such as ethics, political theory, metaphysics, epistemology and aesthetics in Chinese contexts.

• Core philosophy modules: Introduction to Philosophy, Logic and Critical Thinking, Ethics, History of Western Philosophy.
• Chinese philosophy modules: Classical Chinese Thought (Confucianism and Daoism), Chinese Buddhist Philosophy, Neo-Confucianism and Song-Ming Thought, Philosophy of Language and Meaning in Chinese Texts.
• Cultural and interdisciplinary modules: Chinese Cultural History, Literature and Philosophy, Chinese Religious Traditions, Comparative Philosophy, Chinese art and aesthetics.
• Methods and skills: Philosophical writing and argumentation, research methods, textual analysis, optional elementary modern or classical Chinese language courses to support primary-source study.
• Capstone and experiential learning: Senior seminar or honours thesis focusing on a topic in Chinese philosophy or culture, opportunities for study abroad or internships with cultural organisations, museums or community education programmes.

Entry requirements

Applicants should demonstrate a strong academic record in secondary education and readiness for a liberal arts curriculum. Typical entry requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent with competitive grades, an application form, personal statement, and one or more academic references. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate English proficiency by recognised qualifications or equivalent evidence.

The programme welcomes students with varied backgrounds; recommended preparatory subjects include history, literature, languages, social studies and humanities. Transfer students should provide college transcripts and a brief explanation of prior coursework. Mature applicants and those with relevant life or work experience are also encouraged to apply and may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Career prospects

Graduates emerge with strong analytical, writing and intercultural skills that suit a wide range of careers. Common pathways include secondary and tertiary education, further study in philosophy, religious studies or area studies, and professional degrees such as law. Other career options include public service, diplomacy, non-governmental organisations, cultural heritage and museum work, publishing, translation and interpretation, journalism, and roles in business where ethical reasoning and cross-cultural communication are valued.

The programme’s emphasis on research, languages and cross-cultural understanding also prepares students for work in international organisations, think tanks, and companies engaged with East Asia, as well as for postgraduate research or professional training.

Why study at Presbyterian College

Presbyterian College offers small-class teaching and close faculty mentoring that supports independent research and personalised learning pathways. The liberal arts environment encourages interdisciplinary study, allowing students to pair philosophy and Chinese studies with language, history, politics or the arts. Faculty with expertise in philosophy and Asian studies supervise capstone projects and provide guidance for postgraduate applications and careers.

Students benefit from opportunities for study abroad, internships and community engagement that bring Chinese philosophy and culture into conversation with contemporary issues. The college’s campus community and support services provide advising, research resources and extracurricular activities that help students develop leadership, communication and analytical skills valued by employers and graduate programmes alike.