This is an integrated, career-oriented program that prepares you to work in a range of occupational positions across the world. It takes a new, dynamic and innovative approach to globalisation and international relations by focusing on global interconnectedness with the local and the regional; cultural, linguistic and religious diversity; and international and cross-cultural professional practice. It is suitable for those with previous experience outside their own country, those who wish to live and work in global contexts or those who want to specialise in a language. The program is suitable for both Australian and international students, and draws students from countries across the world such as China, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Pacific islands, Poland, Singapore, Somalia, Taiwan, Turkey, Vietnam and Sweden.

The program enables you to participate in a rich, flexible and diverse learning experience as members of a learning community. At the heart of the program is reciproCITY, a web portal serving to facilitate the exchange of views, the celebration of achievements and the organisation of collaborative projects. reciproCITY also serves as a point of contact for students and alumni on international workplace and research assignments.

International internship

The program directs you to apply your knowledge of globalisation, language and culture in international workplace settings. RMIT students undertake international internships across the globe at Australian overseas missions from Hong Kong, Paris, Vancouver, New York; at United Nations Development Program offices in Lebanon and the Philippines; with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Turkey and Washington; the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Cambodia, Vietnam and Colombia; Guardian Films in London; with Plan International in the UK and Australia; and with NGOs and project management companies in Melbourne.

Major emphasis is also placed upon the development of social research skills. Research training culminates in the international field study, a major research project usually conducted in conjunction with the international internship. Successful projects have covered topics as diverse as the trafficking of women in Europe, HIV-AIDS Policy in PNG, case studies of new migrant communities in Melbourne, English language teaching in Asian countries, civil society, gender and media censorship issues in Malaysia, community cooperative movements in India and many more.

Duration

Three years full-time or six years part-time.

An honours year is available.

Pathways

Graduates of the Advanced Diploma of Translating and Interpreting or Advanced Diploma of Justice who have been successful in gaining a place in this program will be eligible to apply for exemptions.

Gaining credit for previous study or experience
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer are ways that RMIT recognises applicants’ skills and knowledge gained through formal and informal education and training, work experience, and/or life experience (including volunteer work; committee responsibilities; family duties, hobbies).

Further information about gaining credit for previous study or experience

Further information about pathways

Career Prospects

Graduates are equipped with skills and knowledge to pursue careers in policy/practice related work for business, government and non-government organisations in a range of areas. Opportunities for positions requiring international knowledge and skills are increasing and have created a need for graduates who are highly skilled, inter-culturally attuned and able to think and act globally/locally as well as being bilingual. Graduates will be able to seek employment with organisations which have an international and cross-cultural focus: national and state government agencies; international project and consulting agencies; international trade and business enterprises; international education organisations; international personnel and recruitment agencies; international tourism, sport and leisure agencies; international aviation and shipping agencies; Australian and international immigrant and refugee organisations; interpreting and translating agencies; schools, colleges and English language centres; international aid agencies; international service agencies; international regulatory organisations; human rights and other transnational social movement organisations.

Entrance Requirements

Current Year 12 prerequisite units 3 & 4—English (any).
Non-Year 12 applicants are encouraged to apply and may be required to have relevant employment or evidence of experience and/or ability to meet the demands of the program.

Equity admissions schemes
RMIT understands that people’s backgrounds and circumstances can affect their access to education and training. RMIT’s equity admissions schemes allow applicants to explain the circumstances that have adversely affected their education, and demonstrate their capacity for future academic success.

Further information is available at equity admissions schemes

Click here for further information .

Application Procedures

Semester one

Full-time/part-time applicants—VTAC application

VTAC application
Applicants must apply through Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and are advised to check detailed information on entrance requirements, application procedures and closing dates. Applicants must meet all extra requirements and selection procedures listed through VTAC.

Application closing date: Late September
Further information:
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
40 Park Street, South Melbourne
Tel. 1300 364 133
www.vtac.edu.au
Note: RMIT program codes listed on this page should not be used when applying through VTAC.

Extra requirements

Selection mode current Year 12: ENTER and two-stage process with a middle-band of approximately 20%.

Middle-band: Consideration may be given to the SEAS application.

Selection mode non-Year 12: Form, interview.

Selection procedures (Semester 1 2009 VTAC applicants)

Non-Year 12: Applicants must complete and submit an International Studies Supplementary Information Form by 17 October. Applicants can also request the form by telephone 03 9925 2328.

Interview (short-listed applicants only): Details will be provided by telephone or mail by late October/early November to the applicants required to attend. These applicants must attend in late November.

Semester two (midyear intake)

RMIT University has places available for the midyear intake in many TAFE and degree (bachelor and postgraduate) programs. From 1 May check to see if this program offers a midyear intake
Note: Applicants must confirm availability of program offered at midyear prior to applying. All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

RMIT direct application
Applicants must apply directly to RMIT University using an RMIT direct application form.

Application closing date: 31 May
Further Information:
Info Corner (formerly Office for Prospective Students)
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. 03 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

Click here for further information .

Fees

Degree

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
A CSP is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and the student. In 2009, the fees ranged between $4,162 and $8,677 per year for a standard full-time program. The exact cost varies according to each course.

Changes to fee paying undergraduate places in 2009
The Australian Government has announced that it will phase out fee paying domestic undergraduate places from 1 January 2009 in public universities. However, the Government has announced that it will replace fee paying places with up to 11,000 new Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) by 2011. Therefore, expectations are that there will be more HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) places on offer at RMIT University in 2009.

There will be no full-fee places at RMIT University offered through VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre) for new domestic students in undergraduate programs in 2009. There are some exceptions to the Government’s prohibition on new full-fee undergraduate places which will affect a very small number of students.

Further information is available at: www.rmit.edu.au/programs/fees/highered

Or you can go to the Federal Government’s Going To Uni web site www.goingtouni.gov.au or phone the hotline: 1800 020 108.

Scholarships

Record spend on RMIT scholarships
RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

Click here for further information .

Additional Expenses

Students will be required to undertake field trips and placements, and will be required to pay for travel and accommodation expenses and any academic fees for the international internship, international field work and any overseas study component of the program.

Program Structure

The program is built around major sequences.

In the international studies sequence, you explore global-local interconnections through an innovative teaching program that incorporates problem-based and work-integrated learning experiences. Courses address:

concepts and issues in global and international relations;
international political economy;
technology and global history;
world population movements and cultural diversity;
international development and conflict resolution;
global risk and world governance (e.g. United Nations, IATA); and
international human rights and law.

In the international work practice sequence you explore the inter-cultural and cross-cultural dimensions of:

international management;
social research;
public policy; and
project planning.

In the language major sequence, you have the opportunity to undertake specialist studies in either:

languages other than English (e.g. Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Spanish);
interpreting and translating (bilingual proficiency required);
English as a global language.

If you have a demonstrated aptitude for language learning, you may study two languages.

You are also able to undertake specialised courses in areas such as:

community services;
cross-cultural and second language education;
environmental policy and practice;
global crime, criminal justice and international policing;
human resource management for international firms;
international business, marketing and finance;
international project work and event management;
international sport and recreation, international tourism and hospitality;
interpreting and translating;
local and international law;
media and journalism;
social action and planning across international borders;
teaching and intercultural education.

Entry to these courses is dependent on meeting entry requirements, prerequisites and quotas.

The English as a Global Language courses provide you with an understanding of English as an international language with the courses covering areas such as: cross-cultural communication; anti-racist discourse; the art of negotiating and persuading for cross-cultural contexts; creating multi-modal texts with new technologies; international project submission writing; language policy development; teaching English as a second or foreign language; and establishing an English language or language services business.

The following program structure(s) are linked to this program.

Contact Details

Dr Jose Roberto Guevara, Program Manager
School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning
Tel. 03 9925 3046
Fax: 03 9925 3049
Email: jose.roberto.guevara@rmit.edu.au

Download this information as a pdf brochure (Requires Acrobat Reader)

Owning School

Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Disclaimer

Although RMIT endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, there is no guarantee it will remain accurate all year. Applicants are advised to confirm program details with the appropriate school before making an application.