Diploma of Chinese
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Diploma of Chinese |
| Deakin course code | A222 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 3 years part-time |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 5 |
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
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 enrich your cultural awareness.
Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language globally, and as a continuing ancient civilisation, Chinese culture is boundlessly fascinating. Our Chinese language program equips you with proficiency in spoken and written Chinese, while fostering an understanding of Chinese culture and ways of life.
Through this diploma, you will develop communication skills in Mandarin Chinese, engage in activities covering diverse everyday topics, and solidify your fluency with essential vocabulary and grammar. Moreover, you will explore cultural, historical sociolinguistic and political dimensions of the societies and cultures that make up the Chinese speaking world. These insights provide a competitive advantage in various exciting career paths.
Do you want to develop your language skills to build a global career?
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 also gives you the opportunity to spend six weeks intensively studying the Chinese language and culture
Career opportunities
The Diploma of Chinese will equip you with skills in the Chinese language that will provide a competitive edge and expand your employment options far beyond Australian shores. There are exciting and challenging positions in countries and regions where Chinese is spoken. Graduates can look forward to career opportunities in areas including, but not limited to:
- the arts
- business or trade
- diplomacy or security
- education
- foreign policy
- health
- international development
- IT or engineering
- sciences.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Critically analyse language systems (pronunciation, grammar, syntax, and sociolinguistic practices) and culture, and apply these to the language of study |
| Communication | Communicate effectively in the language of study in a range of contexts using appropriate grammar, syntax, pronunciation and sociolinguistic practices in the language of study |
| Digital literacy | Evaluate online technologies and new media for engagement with authentic material in the language of study, as well as for autonomous language study |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate information relating to and expressed in the language of study including analysing relevant socio-cultural contexts |
| Problem solving | Identify linguistic and sociolinguistic problems and apply knowledge of the systems of the language of study to propose solutions |
| Self-management | Apply a range of short- and long-term strategies in order to maintain and progress engagement with the language of study |
| Teamwork | Collaborate with others to address challenges in specific cultural and linguistic contexts |
| Global citizenship | Using the language of study, analyse issues in diverse global contexts |
Approved by Faculty Board November 2021
Course rules
To complete the Diploma of Chinese students must pass 8 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 8 credit points of core units
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Note:
- This course is part-time only.
Course structure
Chinese major sequence
For students with no prior language study.
Level 1
| AIC181 | Chinese 1A: An Introduction to the Language and Culture |
| AIC182 | Chinese 1B: Consolidating Skills and Knowledge in Cultural Contexts |
Level 2
| AIC281 | Chinese 2A: Communication and Culture in Everyday Chinese Societies |
| AIC282 | Chinese 2B: Culture, Society and Language in Contemporary Chinese Communities |
Level 3
| AIC381 | Chinese 3A: The Four Pillars in Developing Fluency in Chinese |
| AIC382 | Chinese 3B: The Four Pillars in Finding Fluency and Your Voice in Chinese |
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
| AIC281 | Chinese 2A: Communication and Culture in Everyday Chinese Societies |
| AIC282 | Chinese 2B: Culture, Society and Language in Contemporary Chinese Communities |
Level 2
| AIC381 | Chinese 3A: The Four Pillars in Developing Fluency in Chinese (2 credit points) |
| AIC382 | Chinese 3B: The Four Pillars in Finding Fluency and Your Voice in Chinese (2 credit points) |
Post-Year 12 students who are not background speakers must complete this major sequence by undertaking 2 credit points from the following units:
| AIX300 | Popular Culture and Society in Languages |
| AIX301 | Advanced Writing and Translation Skills in Languages |
Chinese major sequence
Advanced level for background speakers only.
Level 1
| AIC283 | Chinese 2C: Chinese in Real Life: Language, Culture and Society in Contemporary Chinese Societies |
| AIC284 | Chinese 2D: Chinese in Real Life: Putting the Language to Work in Contemporary Contexts |
Level 2
| AIC383 | Chinese 3C: Chinese in the Professions - Developing and Enhancing Capacities in a Global Context (2 credit points) |
| AIC384 | Chinese 3D: Chinese in the Professions - Enhancing Capacities in a Global Context (2 credit points) |
Level 3
Advanced speakers must complete this major sequence by undertaking 2 credit points from the following units:
| AIC387 | Advanced Chinese for Business Purposes C |
| AIC389 | Advanced Chinese for Business Purposes D |
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or 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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.