Advanced Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE-English)
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 1 year -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 1 year Location
Melbourne City Fees
AU$12,250 (2019 annual).
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Are you interesting in working as an interpreter? Globalisation and migration have resulted in increased contact between people from different language backgrounds, so the role of interpreters is now more important than ever. This course trains people who have advanced bilingual skills to facilitate communication between speakers of different languages.
Throughout your studies you’ll gain advanced oral transfer skills for interpreting in specialised settings, learn how to use communication media in interpreting, and study and apply ethical principles in a range of professional contexts.
RMIT is the leader in delivering interpreting courses that prepare work-ready graduates.
Languages
RMIT is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) to offer various languages including Amharic, Arabic, Assyrian, Auslan, Bangla, Bosnian, Burmese, Cantonese, Chin (Haka), Chin (Tedim), Dari, Dinka, Hakka, Hazaragi, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Kurdish (Kurmanji), Kurdish (Sorani), Kurdish Southern (Feyli), Malay, Mandarin, Nepali, Nuer, Oromo, Punjabi, Pashto, Rohingya, Samoan, Somali, Swahili, Tamil, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish and Vietnamese. Languages run each semester are subject to interest and minimum numbers.
If a language you wish to study is not on the list, please contact Info Corner to enquire.
You need to have advanced bilingual skills in the language you select and may be required to demonstrate your knowledge prior to entry into the course.
Please make sure that you indicate the language stream you want to study in your personal statement in your application.
Scholarships
Every year the Victorian state government offers interpreter scholarships to improve the supply of qualified interpreters to Victoria's language services and meet the needs of the growing multicultural population. The 2019 scholarship program and the targeted languages (PDF) have been announced and more details can be found at Interpreters training and scholarships.
Alternative options
If the language you wish to study is not offered, you may consider the Interpreting Skills for NAATI Certification Skill Set.
International students, please note, the Skill Set does not provide access to an Australian student visa. And the Skill Set does not accept international students into the course, because it is delivered completely online.
The Skill Set comprises four national units from the Diploma of Interpreting, which will introduce you to interpreting and ethics. You will be entitled to credit exemptions when and if you study the Diploma in the future.
Bursaries for the skill set program
There are a limited number of government bursaries available to assist with tuition fees. The program will award the bursaries with consideration of:
- the number of requests compared to the number of bursaries available
- the language being spoken widely enough in the community, and a recognised need for interpreters in that language.
Visit the Victorian Multicultural Commission website for more information
Details
This course creates a range of opportunities for you to apply your knowledge and skills.
RMIT has developed study guides, practice materials and multimedia resources to support your learning.
You will participate in learning activities including scenarios, case studies, role play (in dialogue, monologue and sight translation), online practice tools, group discussions and projects, practical demonstrations, reflective journals and simulations of real-life assignments.
Assessment may include:
- written work such as assessment and reflective reports
- quizzes
- presentations
- interpreting demonstrations, face-to-face or via media modes
- class observation and peer review.
Courses are delivered in English. Some courses may have bilingual activities and assessment tasks.
You will have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
Teaching staff are all NAATI-certified professional interpreters who bring a wealth of experience, current knowledge and skills into the classes, ensuring teaching and learning are in line with current industry standards.
You will participate in simulated interpreting activities with students from other discipline areas such as community services, criminal justice, occupational therapy and social work, giving you the opportunity to put your skills into practice.
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Languages available are subject to interest.
You will complete 8 core courses and 7 elective courses.
You will prepare to interpret in complex settings by learning:
- theoretical approaches
- discourse management strategies
- transfer skills
- interpreting via communication media
- interpreting as part of a team
- professional practice issues
Through classes, workshops and guided group and individual learning activities, you will practise your interpreting skills and gain an appreciation of professional ethics and industry knowledge.
After completing the course you will be eligable to sit the external NAATI Certified Interpreter test.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE-English) | City Campus |
1 year full-time
|
1 year full-time
|
C6154 | 094337G |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C6154
National curriculum code: PSP60916
Career
Demand for qualified interpreters is increasing due to high levels of interaction between people and cultures as a result of globalised economies, immigration and humanitarian reasons. A large number of people also face language barriers due to physical disabilities (such as deafness or impaired hearing) and require language assistance.
Graduates find employment as freelancers orcontractors to language services agencies,or work in public and private sector organisations such as hospitals, courts, businesses, government departments and agencies.
The qualification awarded for this course is preferred by many international/multinational organisations and agencies such as NGOs, embassies, private companies and manufacturers.
Admissions
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school) qualification.
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Entry requirements
You must meet both the English language requirements and the LOTE requirements specified below.
English language requirements
To meet the English language requirements, you must meet one of the following:
- Successful completion of a qualification equivalent to an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in a country recognised by RMIT as English speaking; or
- Successful completion of an approved English proficiency test within the last two years, achieving:
- Versant English Placement Test: minimum overall score of 56 (with no individual skill less than 51). If you do not have any of the test results below, RMIT can arrange for you to complete the Versant English Placement Test at no cost (maximum one test sitting per applicant per intake). To access this online test, please submit your application and RMIT will contact you to arrange the test.
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum score of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component
LOTE requirements
To meet the LOTE requirements, you must meet one of the following:
- Successful completion of a qualification equivalent to an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education undertaken in the LOTE you wish to study in this program; or
- Successful completion of a LOTE test, which includes comprehension and writing tasks in LOTE. If you are required to sit the LOTE test, you will receive the test via email after you have submitted your application. You may also be interviewed if further information is required.
- For Auslan applicants: Successfully passing an interview in Auslan, in which you will be asked to demonstrate receptive (sight) comprehension skills, and appropriate sign production and articulation skills.
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL, or evidence of English through completion of an approved English proficiency test.
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 92 (with minimum of 20 in all sections)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:
- understand more about the program
- determine if you may need support during your studies
- make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
Pathways
Graduates of the RMIT Advanced Diploma of Interpreting with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher in the graded units may gain entry into one of the following programs (subject to certain criteria) and may be eligible for exemptions:
- Bachelor of Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology
- Bachelor of Legal and Dispute Studies
- Bachelor of Arts (International Studies)
- Bachelor of Social Science (Youth Work)
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
- Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
- Bachelor of Environment and Society
- Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours)
Graduates of the RMIT Advanced Diploma of Interpreting who also have a bachelor degree may gain entry into one of the following postgraduate programs:
When you successfully complete the Advanced Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE-English) you are guaranteed entry to a range of other RMIT programs. The grades you achieve determine the programs you can get into and the amount of credit you will receive.
If you achieve a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, you will receive 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points) in the Bachelor of Arts (International Studies).
If you achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0, you will receive 1 semester of advanced standing (equivalent to 48 credit points) in the following programs:
- Bachelor of Environment and Society
- Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
- Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours)
- Bachelor of Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Legal and Dispute Studies
If you achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0, you will receive credit (36 credit points) in the Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology.
If you achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0, you will receive credit (24 credit points) in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
If you achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0, you will receive credit (12 credit points) in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology).
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.
Fees
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place.
To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at ‘How to check if you are eligible’*.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide. Learn more about fees for vocational study.
VET Student Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme (VSL), which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.
How does a VET Student Loan work?
If your VSL application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.
Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt. You will start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.
Vet Student Loan cap
If your program is eligible for the VSL scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference by the due date once you exceed the cap.
It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.