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Chinese

Image of the Chinese flag

The Chinese language is a pictographic language, with an artistic glamour and a history of thousands of years. It is the language spoken by over a billion people, is among the official languages of the United Nations and China itself continues to become one of Australia’s largest trading partners. University students who graduate with Chinese cultural and language skills will possess a competitive edge in the increasingly globalised job market.

The Chinese language program at RMIT offers a variety of courses ranging from TAFE certificates, Higher Education electives and short courses to meet students’ professional and personal needs. The courses focus on practical and applied language skills. Students will be able to develop strong cross-cultural communication abilities and foster a broader intellectual engagement with China, and its people and culture.

Opportunities exist for students to spend time in China on study tours and cultural exchanges. Students may also choose to apply for the University Mobility in the Asia Pacific Scholarship (UMAP) for the opportunity to undertake further studies in China.

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Program information

TAFE

RMIT’s nationally accredited Chinese TAFE language programs can be studied in two ways: full time during the day and part time in the evenings.

Delivered in an intensive mode, the full time program will take complete beginners from Certificate I to Certificates IV in Language. It is the only course of its kind in Australia.

The part-time program offers multiple levels of Chinese study. Part-time applicants, regardless of skill level, should submit an application for entry into the Certificate I in Mandarin program. You will then be assessed at a placement test or interview and this will determine whether you should commence study at a higher certificate level.

The program guides provide full details including, program structures, entrance requirements and application information.

Diploma of Languages

Study a language while you complete another degree! The new Diploma of Languages can be taken concurrently with any RMIT program to really add value to your degree and open up a range of new career opportunities.

Higher education

The following Higher Education 12 credit point Chinese courses are offered for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Studying a language as part of a degree can augment work-ready skills and is an enriching ‘add-on’ to a separate major field of study.

The program guides provide full details including, program structures, entrance requirements and application information.

FAQ (PDF 186 KB) – frequently asked questions for the program.

Single and short courses

The Languages discipline also offers its Higher Education language electives and innovative short courses and workshops to the general public that are administered through RMIT's Single and Short Courses Centre.

International opportunities

Higher Education and TAFE Chinese language students have the unique opportunity to use the language in a real social and workplace context by engaging in different learning activities outside the classroom.

The program runs language immersion activities with native Chinese speakers and a student mentoring program to enhance the students’ language learning experience, resulting in increased confidence and motivation. The students discover different learning styles, network with other students, learn effective ways to communicate, and share successful language learning strategies.

In addition, the Chinese Government HSK scholarships are offered annually to students who sit the HSK Test, an internationally recognized Chinese language proficiency test.

Industry and Community Internship Program

In-country internship programs are organized through our international partners in China. Workplace experience in local Chinese communities is also provided to enhance students work-integrated learning.

International exchange

Students have the opportunity to study abroad and gain course exemptions. RMIT has close to 200 partner universities in 31 countries to choose from. You can also take advantage of a number of international study tour opportunities.

More information on international exchange

Working with industry

Tertiary-secondary collaborations VET (language programs) in Schools project - 2011-2012

This auspiced delivery of RMIT’s Certificate in Language II programs to secondary schools aims to establish strategic partnerships and delivery coalitions between RMIT and secondary schools in the teaching and learning of Chinese in Victoria, focusing on regional schools. In 2011 up to 100 Yr 9 and 10 students from regional Victoria are enrolled in RMIT’s Certificate in Language Programs. This project opens new RMIT-secondary school collaborations, developing mentoring and ambassador skills to our RMIT City Campus students. This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations under the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program

Chinese Australian Studies Forum

RMIT University established the Chinese Australian Studies Forum in 1998. It works to support Chinese Australians to confidently engage in wider community advancement, their interest in contemporary Australia, and seeks to give voice to those needed.

By working with visiting scholars, the Forum organizes symposia, public lectures, joint-authored research and trans-national networks to build ‘both-ways’ education for the Chinese Australian community.

Learn more about the Chinese Australian Studies Forum