Diploma of Chinese

2023 Deakin University Handbook

• Course overview
• Career opportunities
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure

Course overview

Whether you are brushing up or starting from scratch with a whole new language, Deakin’s Diploma of Chinese is designed to sharpen your language skills and deepen your cultural understanding. 

By studying Chinese (Mandarin) alongside your degree, you'll gain the linguistic skills, as well as the essential cultural, historical and social perspectives that will give you a leading edge in a range of exciting careers.

Through this diploma, you'll learn communication skills in Mandarin Chinese and develop an understanding of Chinese culture and ways of life. Gain fluency by taking part in activities across a range of topics focusing on grammar, lexicons, vocabulary and sentence structure. You’ll also learn about cultural, historical sociolinguistic and political dimensions of the societies and cultures that make up the Chinese speaking world.

Do you want to develop your language skills to build a global career?

Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language globally, and as a continuing ancient civilisation, Chinese culture is boundlessly fascinating. Our Chinese language program allows you to gain proficiency in spoken and written Chinese, and provides an understanding of Chinese culture and ways of life.

Increase your understanding and career opportunities by taking complementary units related to China and Asia in:

• history
• international relations
• language and culture studies
• An optional Chinese in-country language program gives you the opportunity to spend six weeks intensively studying the Chinese language and culture.

In-country study*

The in-country language program is available to students completing the Diploma of Chinese via study abroad. The program is a unique part of language study and an excellent way of accelerating completion of the diploma.

As a second or third-year or advanced-level student, you can spend six weeks studying language and culture in its own environment. You'll be able to converse, read and write about more complex topics and build upon your knowledge of grammar.

For more information about the in-country language program please refer to the work-integrated learning website or contact the WIL team: artsed-wil@deakin.edu.au.

*Overseas study programs to be confirmed in 2023 and beyond, subject to government travel restrictions.

Career opportunities

The Diploma of Chinese will equip you with skills in the Chinese language that will give you a competitive edge and expand your employment options far beyond Australian shores to exciting and challenging positions in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Adding an international aspect to your degree can open doors to better career opportunities in:

• the arts
• business or trade
• diplomacy or security
• education
• foreign policy
• health
• international development
• IT or engineering
• sciences.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Diploma of Chinese, a student must successfully complete;

• 8 credit points from the specified list of units below and;
• AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Course structure

Chinese major sequence

For students with no prior language study.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Chinese major sequence

For students who have completed Chinese at Year 12 or equivalent (non-background speakers) begins at second level and consists of the following units:

Level 1

Level 2

Post-Year 12 students who are not background speakers must complete this major sequence by undertaking 2 credit points from the following units:

Chinese major sequence

Advanced level for background speakers only.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Advanced speakers must complete this major sequence by undertaking 2 credit points from the following units:

Other course information

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central