Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE-English) - PSP50916
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 1 year -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
IELTS 6.0
Duration
Full-time 1 yearLocation
Melbourne City
Overview
Interested in working as an interpreter?
This diploma is your first step towards professional practice where you will verbally translate conversation between speakers of different languages.
Start a career you'll love
The Diploma of Interpreting is designed to help you build the hands-on skills, practical experience and direction you need to turn your love of languages into a career.
Gain the essential qualifications for a career in professional interpreting. This diploma is suitable for those who already have bilingual skills, but have not yet reached the required level of specialised language proficiency for the Advanced Diploma of Interpreting.
Interpreters provide a critical service, helping people to overcome language barriers when accessing community services in areas such as health, education, law, business and travel.
You’ll gain basic transfer skills for interpreting in general conversational settings, learn about professional ethics, and improve language proficiency. You'll develop the skills to conduct transactions, interactions, and negotiations at a functional level.
Students studying spoken language will explore legal and medical terminology, while Auslan interpreting students will learn about health and education terminology.
RMIT is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) to offer up to 40 languages. In Semester 1 2022, the following language may be offered subject to demand:
- Arabic
- Cantonese
- Deaf Interpreter
- Mandarin
- Vietnamese
Details
Languages run each semester subject to interest and minimum numbers. If a language you wish to study is not running this semester, please submit an expression of interest.
This diploma is flexible in its delivery and offers many opportunities for you to apply your knowledge and skills.
You will participate in learning activities including scenarios, case studies, role plays, online practice tools, group discussions and projects, practical demonstrations, reflective journals and simulations.
A range of learning activities help you achieve competency, including lectures, tutorials, online collaborations, peer workgroups and simulation sessions, as well as extensive practice materials. Assessment may include:
- assessment reports and reflective reports
- quizzes
- presentations
- oral interviews and interpreting demonstrations
- class observation and peer review.
All practice materials and exams simulate the NAATI testing conditions to prepare students for their certification test.
Subjects are delivered in English, but some may have bilingual activities and assessment tasks.
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, knowledge and skills to 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.
Each semester there are opportunities to work with students from social work, criminal justice backgrounds, and occupational therapy backgrounds. RMIT also work with Northern Health Hospital, where you have the opportunity to attend a one-week practicum, shadow an in-house interpreter, and observe a variety of interpreting appointments.
The Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE-English) typically requires 2 days per week on-campus study, and an additional 3 hours of independent study time per subject per week.
You will complete 7 core subjects and 5 elective subjects.
This diploma introduces you to the profession of interpreting and will train you to:
- analyse, recall and reproduce source language messages in the target language in a broad range of settings
- apply effective linguistic transfer skills and discourse management strategies.
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.
Japanese, Mandarin and Korean are only available for full-time study. All other languages are offered as full-time and part-time, subject to minimum numbers.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE-English) | City Campus |
12 months full-time
|
12 months full-time
|
C5364 | 094336J |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C5364
National curriculum code: PSP50916
Career
Demand for qualified interpreters is increasing due to high levels of interaction between people and cultures. This is a result of globalised economies and movement of people due to immigration and humanitarian reasons. A large number of people face language barriers due to physical disabilities such as deafness or impaired hearing and require language assistance.
You’ll find employment as freelancers, contractors to language services agencies, or work in public and private sector organisations such as hospitals, courts, businesses, government departments and agencies.
Job Outlook projects that work opportunities for social professionals (translators and interpreters) are set to increase by 18.1% to 2024. Job Outlook also estimates that the most common annual salary for an interpreter in Australia is between $75,000 and $90,000, and between $75,000 and $90,000 for an interpreter.
Admissions
There are no minimum academic entry requirements.
In Semester 1 2022, the following language may be offered subject to demand:
- Arabic
- Cantonese
- Deaf Interpreter*
- Mandarin
- Vietnamese
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 50% average (check calculator below).
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
All applicants must meet both the English language requirements and the LOTE requirements specified below.
English language requirements
You must meet one of the following:
- Successful completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or an equivalent qualification 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 51 (with no individual skill less than 46). 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 6.0 (with no individual band below 5.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 60 (with minimum score of 10 in Reading, 9 in Listening, 16 in Speaking and 19 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 50 (with no communication band less than 42)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 169 with no less than 162 in any component
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): minimum of 169 with no less than 162 in any component
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 Deaf Interpreter applicant: Successfully passing an interview in Auslan and Non-conventional sign language (NCSL), in which you will be asked to demonstrate receptive (sight) comprehension skills, and appropriate sign production and articulation skills. There will be only one test day scheduled in the first week of December for the Deaf Interpreter intake test. Applicants will receive an email in late November with details of the intake test.
Semester 1, 2022
All applicants must submit the Interpreting selection task. After submitting your application, the selection task will appear on your dashboard for you to complete.
In the selection task you will be asked to indicate the language you wish to study. Languages offered are subject to demand.
Selection tasks must be submitted by 17 January 2022.
Applications are assessed in the order that they are received until this date, If places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
If you have not completed a Year 12 qualification in the language (other than English) you wish to study you will also be required to complete a LOTE test, which includes comprehension and writing tasks in your LOTE.
Interview
Some LOTE applicants will be interviewed if further information is required.
Deaf Interpreter applicants must apply and submit the selection task by 26 November 2021 due to needing to attend a compulsory interview in December. Please select ‘Auslan’ in the selection task.
Deaf Interpreter Interview: Applicants for the Deaf Interpreter stream must pass an interview in Auslan and non-conventional sign language (NCSL), which tests receptive (sight) comprehension skills, and appropriate sign production and articulation skills.
There will be only one test day scheduled in the first week of December for the intake test. Applicants will be emailed the details of the intake test in late November.
You must demonstrate proficiency in the language other than English (LOTE) you wish to study in this program. To meet the LOTE proficiency requirement you must:
- Have completed a recognised year 12 or senior secondary school qualification (equivalent to an Australian year 12) or tertiary qualification taught in the LOTE you are applying to study in the program.
OR
- Complete an RMIT administered LOTE test (which will be provided to you after you submit the application). The LOTE test includes reading, writing and translating from your second language into your first language (one of them must be English).
Interview:
Some LOTE applicants will be interviewed if further information is required.
All Auslan applicants must attend an interview. You will be asked to demonstrate receptive (sight) comprehension skills, and appropriate sign production and articulation skills.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.0 (with no individual band below 5.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 60 (with minimum of 10 in Reading, 9 in Listening, 16 in Speaking and 19 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 50 (with no communication band less than 42)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 169 with no less than 162 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 English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced 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 may gain entry into the following programs:
- Advanced Diploma of Interpreting
- Advanced Diploma of Translating
Diploma of Interpreting graduates with a Bachelor degree may gain entry into one of the following postgraduate programs:
When you successfully complete the Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE-English) you may be eligible for entry into the Advanced Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE-English).
Entry is not guaranteed and you may be required to submit a Bilingual test for assessment.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to an RMIT vocational study or undergraduate programs.
Fees
2022 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.
- 2022 government subsidised place: AU$4,750* per annum
- 2022 full-fee place: AU$6,500* per annum
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Fee finder
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
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.
Eligibility Exemption criteria
**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility
Defer your payment
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.
Learn more about fees for vocational study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
VET Student Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, 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 VET Student Loan 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 VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL 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 VET Student Loan 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 2022 is $315.
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.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$12,000.
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.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.