Australia is increasingly looking to Asia - strategically, economically, politically, and culturally - and all eyes are on the graduates of tomorrow to take us there. Watch our video to find out how this degree will prepare you for a successful career in the Asian Century.

With a Bachelor of Asian Studies you will master an Asian language, acquire in-depth contextual and regional knowledge, and graduate with the kind of Asian literacy that gets you noticed by employers.

And if you love adventure, we offer you a variety of study opportunities in the region so you can experience Asia first hand. Plus we’ll provide you with funding to help get you there.

Our community of scholars, policymakers, researchers and students is proudly interdisciplinary and interregional. Our teaching and research drives Australia’s engagement and understanding of its neighbouring regions. Majors and minors in the Bachelor of Asian Studies can be based on a language, a region or a discipline – for example, Modern Chinese Language, Asia-Pacific Politics, Japanese Studies and many others. We encourage students who begin the study of an Asian language at university to complete a full language major in order to graduate with the proficiency required to function as an Asia specialist in the increasingly competitive job market. Placement testing allows students with existing expertise in a language to enter at their current proficiency level.

A Master of Translation will equip you with the highly-developed analytical and written communication skills in English and a language of focus, which you need to succeed in professional translation, as well as intercultural competence and transferable skills that will prepare you to succeed in increasingly global, multilingual work environments. It is designed to provide students with a focused qualification in the fields of literary and technical translation, along with an understanding of the history of translation and an appreciation of many critical issues in the field.

The ANU is home to a team of world-renowned intercultural specialists and language specialists who are also experienced translators. ANU offers the greatest variety of specialised language expertise available in Australia and is the ideal location for your study of translation.

The Master of Translation is a professional degree endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Upon successful completion of the Program, students are eligible for the Certified Translator testing level subject to the availability of the NAATI certification tests for each language.

Employment Opportunities

In today's globalised world success for business, government and international organisations depends heavily on strong relationships with Asia. This means that employers across the globe now actively recruit graduates who can demonstrate a deep understanding of the region.

From the Kitchen Ninja on TV to Human Rights Lawyer, the global skills our students develop mean our graduates are found all over the world in exciting and challenging jobs across many fields including international relations or trade, development, government and policy, banking and finance, tourism, media, education, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, marketing and many other fields.

In today's globalised world success for business, government and international organisations depends heavily on strong relationships with Asia. This means that employers across the globe now actively recruit graduates who can demonstrate a deep understanding of the region.

From the Kitchen Ninja on TV to Human Rights Lawyer, the global skills our students develop mean our graduates are found all over the world in exciting and challenging jobs across many fields including international relations or trade, development, government and policy, banking and finance, tourism, media, education, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, marketing and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understand the global significance of Asia as a region and as a composite of diverse societies and cultures;

2. Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the regional diversity of the societies and cultures that make up Asia;

3. Exercise critical thinking and judgment in identifying and solving problems, individually and in groups.

1. demonstrate a thorough knowledge of translation theory and practice specific to English and the language of focus;
   
2. evaluate theories concerning the nature and use of translation and the practical application of those theories to specific areas of interest to the student;
   
3. demonstrate an awareness of fundamental issues in translation including the processes of translation, assessing translations, the place of register and genre, and the questions of pragmatic and cultural interpretation;
   
4. critically apply theoretical frameworks to the creation of translations;
   
5. show analytic skills and creative thinking in translating between English and the language of focus.

Additional Information

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
  • completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
  • co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
  • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
  • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
  • ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Asian Studies requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 144 units must consist of:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

ASIA1025 Asia and the Pacific: Power, diversity and change

ASIA1030 Asia and the Pacific in Motion

12 units from the completion of discipline courses from the following list:

ASIA2001 Language in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA2065 Asian Politics: From Concepts to Causes

ASIA2067 Economies of Emerging Asia

ASIA2120 Colonialism and the Rule of Law

ASIA2301 Human Migration and Expansion in the Rise of the Asia-Pacific

ASIA2302 Culture and Modernity in Asia: Anthropological Perspectives

ASIA2304 What is Literature? Asian Perspectives

ASIA2307 History of Empire in Asia

ASIA2311 Gender and Cultural Studies in Asia and the Pacific

INTR2010 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific

STST2001 International Security issues in the Asia Pacific

24 units from completion of language courses from one of the following lists :

Burmese Language

BURM1002 Burmese 1

BURM1003 Burmese 2

BURM2001 Burmese 3

BURM2002 Burmese 4

Chinese Language

ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L)

CHIN1012 Modern Chinese 1: Spoken

CHIN1013 Modern Chinese 1: Written

CHIN2022 Modern Chinese 2: Spoken 

CHIN2023 Modern Chinese 2: Written 

CHIN2014 Modern Chinese 3

CHIN2017 Modern Chinese 4

CHIN3022 Modern Chinese 5

CHIN3023 Modern Chinese 6

CHIN2525 Learning Language Locally: China

CHIN3024 Advanced Modern Chinese A

CHIN3025 Advanced Modern Chinese B

CHIN3041 Chinese-English Translation 

CHIN3216 Chinese-English Interpreting

Hindi Language

ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L)

ASIA3083 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages A

ASIA3108 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages B

HIND1100 Hindi 1

HIND1200 Hindi 2

HIND2300 Hindi 3

HIND2400 Hindi 4

HIND3500 Hindi 5

HIND3600 Hindi 6

HIND2525 Learning Language Locally: India

Indonesian Language

ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L)

ASIA3083 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages A

ASIA3108 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages B

INDN1002 Indonesian 1

INDN1003 Indonesian 2

INDN2002 Indonesian 3

INDN2003 Indonesian 4

INDN3002 Indonesian 5

INDN3003 Indonesian 6

INDN2525 Learning Language Locally: Indonesia

INDN3104 Advanced Indonesian: History and Development of the Language

INDN3015 Advanced Indonesian: Translation into English

Japanese Language

ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L)

JPNS1012 Japanese 1: Spoken

JPNS1014 Japanese 1: Written

JPNS2003 Japanese 2: Spoken

JPNS2005 Japanese 2: Written

JPNS2012 Japanese 3

JPNS2013 Japanese 4

JPNS3001 Japanese 5

JPNS3002 Japanese 6

JPNS2024 Japanese Grammar and Expressions 

JPNS2525 Learning Language Locally: Japan

JPNS3005 Advanced Japanese: Issues in Contemporary Japan

JPNS3006 Advanced Japanese: Language in Context

JPNS3007 Advanced Japanese: Readings in Culture and Society

JPNS3008 Advanced Japanese: Readings in Literature

JPNS3012 Teaching Japanese: Content

JPNS3014 Teaching Japanese: Method

JPNS3013 Japanese - English Translation

JPNS3102 Debating Japan: Contemporary Intellectual Debates

JPNS3023 Research Topics in Japanese A

JPNS3024 Research Topics in Japanese B

Korean Language

ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L)

KORE1020 Korean 1

KORE1021 Korean 2

KORE2521 Korean 3

KORE2522 Korean 4

KORE3012 Korean 5

KORE3013 Korean 6

KORE3015 Advanced Korean: Film and Society

KORE3018 Advanced Korean: Literature and Media

Literary Chinese Language

CHIN2019 Literary Chinese 1

CHIN2021 Literary Chinese 2

CHIN3015 Advanced Literary Chinese*

Mongolian Language

MNGL1002 Mongolian 1

MNGL1003 Mongolian 2

MNGL2002 Mongolian 3

MNGL2003 Mongolian 4

Sanskrit Language

ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L)

ASIA3083 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages A

ASIA3108 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages B

SKRT1002 Sanskrit 1

SKRT1003 Sanskrit 2

SKRT2103 Sanskrit 3

SKRT2104 Sanskrit 4

SKRT3004 Sanskrit 5

SKRT3005 Sanskrit 6

SKRT3002 Sanskrit 7

SKRT3003 Sanskrit 8

Tetum Language

TETM1002 Tetum 1

TETM1003 Tetum 2

TETM2004 Tetum 3

TETM2005 Tetum 4

 Thai Language

ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L)

ASIA3083 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages A

ASIA3108 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages B

THAI1002 Thai 1

THAI1003 Thai 2

THAI2002 Thai 3

THAI2003 Thai 4

THAI3002 Thai 5

THAI3008 Thai 6

Vietnamese Language

ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L)

ASIA3083 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages A

ASIA3108 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages B

VIET1002 Vietnamese 1

VIET1003 Vietnamese 2

VIET2002 Vietnamese 3

VIET2003 Vietnamese 4

VIET3002 Vietnamese 5

VIET3003 Vietnamese 6 

VIET3015 Vietnamese–English Translation

 *CHIN3015 Advanced Literary Chinese may be completed up to 4 times in a different topic in each instance with permission of the Course Convenor.

48 units from completion of courses from the following contextual and language subject areas, majors and minors, of which a minimum of 6 units must come from completion of 3000-level non-language courses.    

Languages

Arabic major

Burmese Language minor

Chinese Language major

Chinese Studies major

French Language and Culture major

Hindi Language major

Indonesian Language major

Japanese Language major

Japanese Studies major

Korean Language major

Literary Chinese minor

Mongolian Language minor

Sanskrit Language major

Spanish major

Tetum Language minor

Thai Language major

Tok Pisin Language minor

Vietnamese Language major

Portuguese Language (PORT)

Tibetan Language (TIBN)

Disciplines

Anthropology major

Archaeology major

Linguistics major

Peace and Conflict Studies major

Area Studies

Asian and Pacific Anthropology minor

Asian and Pacific Archaeology minor

Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender minor

Asian and Pacific Linguistics minor

Asian and Pacific Literature and Film minor

Asian History major

Asia-Pacific International Relations major

Asia-Pacific Politics major

Asia-Pacific Security Studies major

India Studies major

Indonesian Studies major

Japanese Linguistics major

Korean Studies major

Northeast Asian Studies major

Pacific Studies major

Southeast Asian Studies major

A maximum of 6 units of experiential courses may come from the completion of courses from VCUG Vice Chancellor’s Undergraduate Courses, or the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A

ASIA2098 Asian and Pacific Studies Internship

ASIA2110 International Affairs Internship

ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship

ASIA3024 Editor’s practicum: online public engagement, academic blogging and digital disruption

ESEN1101 Essential University English

HIST1250 Big History

LING2107 Advanced Academic English

24 units from completion of introductory courses in any of the following lists:

Ancient Greek

GREK6125 Advanced Ancient Greek

Arabic

ARAB6503 Advanced Arabic A

ARAB6504 Advanced Arabic B

Chinese

CHIN6522 Modern Chinese 5

CHIN6523 Modern Chinese 6

CHIN6524 Advanced Modern Chinese A

CHIN6525 Advanced Modern Chinese B

English

CLAS6001 Traditional Grammar

ENGL6015 Introduction to Creative Writing

ESEN6101 Extended University English

LING6001 Introduction to the Study of Language

LING6020 The Structure of English

French

FREN6010 Advanced French I

FREN6011 Advanced French II

German

GERM6507 German Studies - Advanced 1

GERM6508 German Studies: Advanced German 2

Hindi

HIND6600 Hindi 6

Indonesian

INDN6503 Indonesian 6

Italian

ITAL3015 Advanced Italian Topics in Language, Culture and Society

ITAL3016 Advanced Italian Topics in Language and Literary Studies

Japanese

JPNS6014 Japanese 5

JPNS6015 Japanese 6

Korean

KORE6513 Korean 6

Latin

LATN6125 Advanced Latin

Literary Chinese

CHIN6530 Literary Chinese 1

CHIN6531 Literary Chinese 2

Persian

PERS6005 Advanced Persian A

PERS6006 Advanced Persian B

Sanskrit

SKRT6106 Sanskrit 6

Spanish

SPAN6509 Advanced Spanish Topics in Language and Linguistics

SPAN6510 Advanced Spanish Topics in Language and Culture

Thai

THAI6008 Thai 6

Vietnamese

VIET6503 Vietnamese 6

24 units from completion of elective courses from ANU

Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.

If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96^th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.

The Master of Translation requires completion of 96 units, of which:

96 units must come from 6000-level, 7000-level and 8000-level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

24 units of specified credit from graduate courses completed in the Bachelor degree

24 units of unspecified credit

24 units from the following Research component:

18 units from completion of the following compulsory research training courses

LANG6001 Translation across Languages: The Translation of Literary Texts

LANG6002 Translation across Languages: Specialised Materials

LING6015 Language, Culture and Translation

6 units from one of the following research project courses

ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program Internship A (Graduate)

LANG8016 Translation Project

Maximum 24 units from completion of contextual courses in any of the following lists:

Cross Cultural Communication

LING6021 Cross Cultural Communication

ASIA8051 Language and Power in Asia and the Pacific

Communication Genres

COMP8705 Communication for Computing Professionals II

ENGL6026 Creative Writing 3 Advanced Fiction

HIST8011 Biography and History

HUMN8026 Writing in the Public Sphere

INTR8065 Writing International Relations

MGMT7001 Business Communication

POGO8037 Writing Public Policy

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public

Maximum 24 units from completion of courses on one of the following lists:

Arabic

ARAB6505 Introductory Course to Arabic Linguistics

ARAB6506 Research Project (Arabic)

ARAB6507 Introductory Course to Arabic Literature

ARAB6508 Special Topics in Arabic

ARAB6509 Directed Study Project (Arabic)

ARAB6510 Arab Current Affairs and Media Arabic

Australian Indigenous Languages and Society

ANTH6005 Traditional Australian Indigenous Cultures, Societies and Environment

LING6016 Language and Society in Indigenous Australia

Chinese

CHIN6015 Advanced Literary Chinese*

CHIN6041 Chinese-English Translation

CHST6211 Reading China: Past and Present

CHST6212 Reading Chinese Literature: Theory and Criticism

CHIN6216 Chinese-English Interpreting: Methodology and Practice

CHIN6530 Literary Chinese 1

CHIN6531 Literary Chinese 2

LING6017 Chinese Linguistics

   *CHIN6015 may be completed more than once if the topic is different.

English

LING6008 Semantics

LING6023 Dictionaries and Dictionary-Making

LING6030 Advanced Academic English

LING6529 The History of the English Language

LING8026 Qualitative Research Methods in Language Studies

ENGL6008 Introduction to Literary Theory

ENGL6025 Contemporary Australian Writing

ENGL6117 The Politics of Comedy from the Globe to The Office

French

FREN6012 Global Paris: Culture, History and Identity in the French Capital

FREN6510 Selected Topics in French Studies*

FREN6515 The sounds of French: phonetics and pronunciation

FREN6513 Current Affairs and the French Press (Advanced)

FREN6514 Imagining the French Empire: French Colonialism on Film

*FREN6510 Selected Topics in French Studies may be completed more than once if the topic is different.

German

GERM6051 German Literature and Culture Today

GERM6510 Berlin Stories: Places, Words, Images

GERM6511 Gender in German Culture: From Goethe to Trans*

GERM6513 German Film Since the Wall: Identity, History and Belonging

Hindi

ASIA6083 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages A

ASIA6108 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages B

HIND6525 Learning Language Locally: India

Indonesian

ASIA6083 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages A

ASIA6108 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages B

INDN6015 Advanced Indonesian: Translation into English

INDN6104 Advanced Indonesian: History and Development of the Language

INDN6525 Learning Language Locally: Indonesia

Italian

ITAL6509 Advanced Italian Topics in Language, Culture and Society

ITAL6510 Advanced Italian Topics in Language and Literary Studies

Japanese

JPNS6023 Research Topics in Japanese: History & Society

JPNS6025 Research Topics in Japanese: International Relations & Politics

JPNS6102 Debating Japan: Contemporary Intellectual Debate

JPNS6505 Advanced Japanese: Issues in Contemporary Japan

JPNS6506 Advanced Japanese: Language in Context

JPNS6507 Advanced Japanese: Readings in Culture and Society

JPNS6508 Advanced Japanese: Readings in Literature

JPNS6512 Teaching Japanese: Content

JPNS6513 Japanese - English Translation

JPNS6514 Teaching Japanese Method

JPNS6525 Learning Language Locally: Japan

Korean

KORE6017 Advanced Korean: Film and Society

KORE6018 Advanced Korean: Literature and Media

Literary Chinese

CHIN6015 Advanced Literary Chinese*

* CHIN6015 may be completed more than once if the topic is different.

Sanskrit

SKRT6002 Advanced Sanskrit Literature A

SKRT6003 Advanced Sanskrit Literature B

ASIA6083 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages A

ASIA6108 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages B

Spanish

SPAN6511 Music and Society in the Spanish-Speaking World

SPAN6513 Current Affairs in the Spanish-Speaking World

SPAN6514 The Structure of Spanish

SPAN6517 Cinema from the Spanish-speaking World

SPAN6518 The Sounds of Spanish

SPAN6604 Multilingualism and indigenous people in the America

LANG6004 Language and Society in Latin America

Thai

THAI6525 Learning Language Locally: Thailand

ASIA6083 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages A

ASIA6108 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages B

Vietnamese

VIET6525 Learning Language Locally: Vietnam

VIET6015 Vietnamese-English Translation

ASIA6083 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages A

ASIA6108 Research Topics in South and Southeast Asian Languages B

Majors

Bachelor of Asian Studies Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Asian Studies Minors