Diploma in Modern Languages (Chinese)

Course 888CH (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Year and Campus: 2015 - Parkville
CRICOS Code: 022053E
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Undergraduate
Duration & Credit Points: 100 credit points taken over 12 months full time. This course is available as full or part time.
Course Overview:

This course is no longer taking applications. The Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) is being phased out and only available to students who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree pre-2008. Students wishing to apply for a current Diploma in Languages will need to refer to the following website: Diploma in Languages.

The Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) enables students to gain a diploma in language study while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne. The DML consists of a three-year sequence of first, second- and third-year language study and adds one year to the duration of your degree course. You take language subjects alongside your degree subjects in an integrated sequence. Students must follow structure and point requirements for the year they commenced, please refer to the relevant handbook available online at https://psc.unimelb.edu.au/ Students may be required to complete additional language subjects within their degree or through the Community Access Program (CAP). The diploma will only be awarded on the completion of your degree course.

The diploma in Chinese is 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 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 program.

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.

Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of the Diploma, students should:

  • have acquired a mastery of both oral/aural and writing/reading skills comparable to that of a student majoring in a language discipline;

  • have gained a basic understanding of selected aspects of the culture (or cultures) and of the society (or societies) associated with the language.

Course Structure & Available Subjects:

The Diploma consists of a three-year sequence of study in Chinese (Mandarin) language, totalling 100 points. The language subjects will be taken concurrently with an undergraduate degree in an integrated sequence and will normally add one year to the duration of a student's degree course.

Students study Chinese as a Diploma through a progression of eight language subjects (100 points), 75 points of compulsory language subjects and 25 points of elective subjects taken in sequence usually over 3 years part-time.

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that s/he meets the requirements of the Diploma by enrolling in the correct number of subjects at the appropriate year level and within the rules outlined for the relevant language stream of the DML.


Due to the wide range of student language proficiency entry points (from beginners to fluent), the Chinese program provides four language entry points.

The sequence is as follows for each entry point for the Diploma:

  • Chinese 1 entry point: Students with no previous knowledge of the language usually enter the progression at Chinese 1.
  • Chinese 3A entry point: Students with little previous knowledge of the language usually enter the progression at Chinese 3A.
  • Chinese 3 (post VCE) entry point: Students who have completed VCE Chinese (Second Language or IB equivalent) or have an equivalent language level usually enter the progression at Chinese 3 Post VCE.
  • Chinese 5 entry point: Non background students with lower advanced knowledge of the language usually enter the progression at Chinese 5.
  • Chinese 7 entry point: Students who have a Chinese-speaking background and minimal literacy skills usually enter the progression at Chinese 7.
  • Chinese 9 entry point: Students who have a Chinese-speaking background and limited literacy in Chinese usually enter the progression at Chinese 9.

Students will have their appropriate entry point determined by the Chinese Program, based on evidence of prior learning and/or results of a placement test as required. Please refer to the following link for further information: http://www.asiainstitute.unimelb.edu.au/help/undergraduate_students/placement.

Students wishing to undertake Chinese language study as part of an exchange program may credit their studies towards the DML. However, such students should contact the Chinese Language Program Convenor in their first year of study to ensure that their study plan can accommodate exchange study in their DML.

Subject Options:

CHINESE 1 ENTRY POINT (formerly Beginners Stream)

Chinese 1 entry point - Level 1

Students completing a Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 1 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).

Note:
Chinese 1 and Chinese 2 were formerly called Chinese 1A and Chinese 1B respectively

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 1 entry point - Level 2

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 1 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

  • CHIN20001 Chinese 3A, CHIN20002 Chinese 4A (25 points) and;
  • One of CHIN20010 Chinese 3B or CHIN20011 Chinese 4B (12.5 points)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 1 entry point - Level 3

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 1 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

  • CHIN30008 Chinese 5, CHIN30009 Chinese 6 (25 points) and;
  • One of CHIN30003 Chinese News Analysis or CHIN30010 Modern Chinese Literature or CHIN30011 Great Chinese Classics (12.5 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

CHINESE 3A ENTRY POINT

Chinese 3A entry point - Level 1

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 3A entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 3A entry point - Level 2

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 3A entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 3A entry point - Level 3

Students completing the Chinese major with a Chinese 3A entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points):

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

CHINESE 3 (Post VCE) ENTRY POINT(formerly Post-VCE Stream)

Chinese 3 (Post VCE) entry point- Level 1

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 3 (Post VCE) entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 3 (Post VCE) entry point - Level 2

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 3 (Post VCE) entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 3 (Post VCE) entry point - Level 3

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 3 (Post VCE) entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points):

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

CHINESE 5 ENTRY POINT

Chinese 5 entry point - Level 1

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 5 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 5 entry point - Level 2

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 5 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points):

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 5 entry point - Level 3

Students completing the Chinese major with a Chinese 5 entry point are required to complete 37.50 points.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

CHINESE 7 ENTRY POINT (formerly Minimal Literacy Stream 1)

Chinese 7 entry point - Level 1

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 7 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 7 entry point - Level 2

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 7 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 7 entry point - Level 3

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 7 entry point are required to complete three subjects from the following list (37.5 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

CHINESE 9 ENTRY POINT (formerly Limited Literacy Stream 2)

Chinese 9 entry point - Level 1

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 9 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (25 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 9 entry point - Level 2

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 9 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50

Chinese 9 entry point - Level 3

Students completing the Chinese Diploma with a Chinese 9 entry point are required to complete the following subjects (37.5 points).

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Entry Requirements:


This course is no longer taking applications. The Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) is currently being phased out and only available to students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree pre-2008. Students wishing to apply for a Diploma in Languages will need to refer to the following website: Diploma in Languages.

. The DML must be completed alongside your degree studies and can only be awarded on the completion of your degree.For continuing students, selection into the DML is based upon the weighted average of subjects across your entire course. For first-year students, eligibility is based on your ENTER score. The entry cut-off fluctuates from year-to-year. It is determined by the number of places available and the number of applications received.For combined degree students and students from faculties other than Arts, entry to the Diploma requires the approval of both the Faculty of Arts and the other faculty.

Students in a New Generation degree should enrol in a Diploma of Languages, please refer to the following website: http://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/futurestudents/ug-courses-programs/diploma-in-languages.html

Core Participation Requirements:

The Diploma will be available to students with no prior knowledge of a language as well as to those who have completed several years of study (for instance, as part of the VCE).

Your stream enrolment depends on your previous language experience and is determined by the relevant School.

The Asia Institute will determine the language stream in which you can enrol, based on VCE results, other language study records and in some cases a placement test.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Further Study:

Suitably qualified students studying Chinese in the Institute may undertake language study overseas for credit towards their degree. Opportunities for in-country study are provided by the subject Intensive Chinese Program: China or through the University of Melbourne's student exchange program. Interested students should consult the Arts and Music Student Centre for approval to receive credit for such studies.

Graduate Attributes:

See course objectives

Generic Skills:

All arts subjects provide students with transferable generic skills that prepare them for further study and the workplace.

As a result of attendance at scheduled classes, participation in planned activities and discussion groups, and timely completion of essays and assignments, arts graduates should acquire transferable generic skills in the following areas:

  • research

    through competent use of the library, electronic databases, and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;

  • critical thinking and analysis

    through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

  • thinking in theoretical terms

    through lectures, tutorial discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences;

  • thinking creatively

    through essay writing, creative writing, tutorial discussions and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence and by critical analysis;

  • understanding of social, ethical and cultural context

    through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument;

  • communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically

    through essay writing and tutorial and seminar discussion;

  • written communication

    through essay preparation and assignment writing;

  • public speaking

    through tutorial and seminar discussion and class presentations;

  • attention to detail

    through essay preparation and writing, and examination revision;

  • time management and planning

    through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and examination revision;

  • teamwork

    through joint projects and group discussions.

Links to further information: http://www.asiainstitute.unimelb.edu.au/study/chinese

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