Diploma in Languages

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in Spanish language study while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

Spanish and Latin American Studies

The Spanish and Latin American studies program at The University of Melbourne offers language options at all levels together with a growing number of cultural studies subjects in areas as diverse as literature (from Don Quixote to contemporary classics), cinema, popular culture, food studies, gender studies, and area studies in both European and Latin American studies.

The Spanish and Latin American Studies program will allow you to acquireand improve on Spanish language skills and increase your awareness of Spanish and Latin American culture through a variety of authentic written and spoken and visual materials. You will also learn to interact with other Spanish speakers at a sophisticated level. The program will also provide opportunities to undertake independent research projects into areas including language, literature, culture, politics, cinema, theatre, music, food and identity. The program has agreements with prestigious universities in Spain and Latin America, which allow students to undertake exchange and study abroad options as part of their Spanish studies.

Spanish language subjects are organised in a progressive sequence (of units) from Spanish 1 to 7 through to the Spanish Electives. Students may enter at any point, subject to placement testing and/or prerequisites, and normally progress through the sequence in consecutive order. Accelerated progression and mid-year entry are also possible in special cases with the permission of the course convenor. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in Ancient Greek while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

Ancient Greek has been taught at the University of Melbourne since its very foundation, and has been a core element of higher education for many centuries. The overall objective of the Classics program is to introduce students to key literary texts from classical antiquity (including history, drama, oratory, philosophy, epic, and lyric poetry), and to enable students to discover the many important contributions which reading ancient texts in the original languages can make to understanding both the ancient world and the Western tradition. A knowledge of Ancient Greek is also very useful for research and training in such related disciplines as biochemistry, medicine, the history and philosophy of science, archaeology, Biblical studies, history, philosophy, art history, English literary studies, and music.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in Ancient Greek while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in Latin while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

Latin has been taught at the University of Melbourne since its very foundation, and has been a core element of higher education for many centuries. The overall objective of the Classics program is to introduce students to key literary texts from classical antiquity (including history, drama, oratory, philosophy, epic, and lyric poetry), and to enable students to discover the many important contributions which reading ancient texts in the original languages can make to understanding both the ancient world and the Western tradition. A knowledge of Latin is also very useful for research and training in such related disciplines as biochemistry, medicine, the history and philosophy of science, archaeology, Biblical studies, history, philosophy, art history, Romance language studies, English literary studies, and music.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in Latin while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in Arabic Studies while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

The Arabic Studies Program offers an integrated way of studying Arabic language and aspects of Arab culture. Beyond studying the language itself, students also have the opportunity to acquire a significant amount of knowledge about the nature of living, seeing, acting and interacting in the 'Arab way'. With the development of students' language proficiency, there will be a growing emphasis on reflection on, as well as critical awareness and discussion of, issues related to Arabic literature and the realms of history, Arab culture and religion in the Arab World.

Arabic language subjects are organised in a progressive sequence (of units) from Arabic 1 through to Arabic 10. Entry points are determined by the student’s background in the language, placement testing, prerequisites, or at the discretion of the Arabic Studies program. Students normally progress through the subjects in consecutive order. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers, subject to appropriate prior experience and approval from the head of the Arabic Studies program.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in Chinese Studies while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

Chinese language subjects are organised in a progressive sequence (of units) from Chinese 1 through to Chinese 10. Entry and exit points are determined by the student’s background in the language, placement testing, prerequisites, or at the discretion of the Chinese Studies program. Students normally progress through the subjects in consecutive order. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers, subject to appropriate prior experience and approval from the head of the Chinese Studies program.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in French Studies while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne. The Diploma consists of a three-year sequence of first-, second- and third-year language study and may add up to one year to the duration of the student’s degree course.

French Studies

The core subjects in French are organised in a progressive sequence from French 1 through to French 7. Entry and exit points are determined by the French Studies Program based on the student’s background in the language, placement testing or prerequisites. Students normally progress through the subjects in consecutive order. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers, subject to appropriate prior experience and approval from the head of the French program. Accelerated progression is possible on advice from the French Program.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in language study while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

German Studies

German has more than 100 million native speakers and is the third most popular foreign language world-wide. Knowledge of German opens up the rich culture of German-speaking Europe as well as its history, philosophy, literature, music and scientific traditions. The German Studies Program has a proud history of more than half a century at the University of Melbourne and provides students with the opportunity to complete part of their studies overseas through scholarships and exchange programs.

German language subjects are organised in a progressive sequence of units from German 1 through to German 10, which has four entry points (German 1, 3, 5 and 7). Placement in the correct entry point is determined by the German Studies Program, based on the results of the online placement test. All students who enrol in German at the University of Melbourne for the first time need to undertake the placement test.

Thereafter students normally progress through the sequence in consecutive order. Accelerated progression is possible with the permission of the course convenor. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers.

The Hebrew language program is offered from beginners to advanced levels and places great emphasis on its culture, tradition and development as the language of the Bible and the language of modern Israel. Hebrew is one of the oldest languages in the world, and has had an enormous impact on Western culture. The study of language is complemented by subjects that explore Jewish culture, literature and society. Through the study of modern authors and poets, these subjects aim to provide students with knowledge of the language in contemporary contexts and to equip them with skills to undertake critical literary analysis in both Hebrew and English.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in Indonesian language while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne. The Diploma is a three-year sequence of first, second- and third-year language study and may add up to one year to the duration of the student’s degree course. Three steams are offered: Beginners, Post VCE and Advanced (e.g., students with an Indonesian speaking background).

The Diploma in Indonesian Studies comprises coursework designed to build students' knowledge and skills in understanding and analysing Indonesian language and society.

Indonesian language subjects are organised in a progressive sequence (of units) from Indonesian 1 through to Indonesian 6. Entry and exit points are determined by the student’s background in the language, placement testing, prerequisites, or at the discretion of the Indonesian Studies program. Students normally progress through the subjects in consecutive order. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers, subject to appropriate prior experience and approval from the convenor of the Indonesian Studies program.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in Italian Studies while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

Italian Studies

Italian is one of the world’s most important languages strongly influencing languages and cultures around the world. A knowledge of Italian opens up access to a wide range of areas, including history, art, music, as well as to other languages, such as French and Spanish. I The overall objective of the Italian Studies program is to teach students to process information from a wide variety of materials in Italian, both written and spoken, and to produce accounts and discussions of that information in a variety of forms. In subjects at all levels, you will be guided towards undertaking independent research projects into areas including language, literature, politics, cinema, theatre, travel writing, food and wine, immigration and identity.

Italian language subjects are organised in a progressive sequence (of units) from Italian 1 through to Italian 7 and beyond. Entry and exit points are determined by the student’s background in the language, placement testing if required, prerequisites, or at the discretion of the Italian Studies Program. Students normally progress through the subjects in consecutive order. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers, subject to appropriate prior experience and approval from the head of the Italian Studies program. Accelerated progression is possible on advice from the Italian Studies Program.

The Japanese Studies program at the Asia Institute is one of the largest Japanese programs in Australia. The language subjects (taught at a range of levels, from beginner to advanced) are designed to maximize acquisition of the language and to develop communication skills in various types of texts, interactional contexts and strategic aspects of meaning making. The curriculum also allows students to develop a broad understanding of cultural, social and historical aspects of Japan. Our language and culture integrated curriculum helps students understand the complexity and diversity of the society, and challenge stereotypes. Teaching staff create a meeting place where students from a variety of cultural backgrounds can explore intercultural language activities to promote intercultural as well as communicative competence.

The Diploma in Languages (Japanese Studies) enables students to gain a diploma in language study while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

Diploma graduates with the equivalent of a BA language major must have completed a BA degree to be eligible to apply for the BA (Honours), otherwise they may apply to enter the postgraduate diploma.

Japanese language subjects are organised in a progressive sequence (of units) from Japanese 1 through to Japanese 8. Entry and exit points are determined by the student’s background in the language, placement testing, prerequisites, or at the discretion of the Japanese Studies program. Students normally progress through the subjects in consecutive order. Mid-year entry is also available subject to approval from the convenor of the Japanese Studies program.

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a Diploma in Russian Studies while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

Russian Studies

Russian is one of the world's major international languages: it is spoken by over 140 million people and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. A knowledge of Russian may increase access to careers in international relations, development studies, business, science and the arts.

The overall objective of the Russian Studies program is to teach students to process information from a wide variety of materials in Russian, both written and spoken, and to produce accounts and discussions of that information in a variety of forms.

The core subjects in Russian language are organised in a progressive sequence from Russian 1 through to Russian 6. Entry and exit points are determined by the Russian Program based on the student’s background in the language, placement testing or prerequisites. Students normally progress through the subjects in consecutive order. Mid-year entry is also possible into subjects with even numbers, subject to appropriate prior experience and approval from the head of the Russian program. Accelerated progression is possible on advice from the Russian Studies Program.