Diploma in Languages
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2025
This degree is only available to Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Entry Scores
2025 Guaranteed Entry
TAFE/RTO: N/A
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2024 Cut-Offs
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Entry requirements
Students must have completed or be currently enrolled in a Bachelor degree at the University of South Australia or at another Australian University; or be currently enrolled in or completed a recognised Bachelor or Masters’ degree or equivalent from an approved higher education institution outside Australia.
Concurrent Degree - Diploma in Languages: the Diploma may be studied concurrently by students who hold a place in any undergraduate degree at the University of South Australia or any other Australian university. The Diploma in Languages is normally taken over two to four years, depending on the student's prior experience and knowledge of the language. Students may choose to study French, Italian, Japanese, or English Language.
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
NoneAssumed Knowledge
None
Mid-year entry only available to students with prior formal studies or proficiency in the language. Current UniSA students wishing to study this program concurrently should apply for entry by adding a program via this online form.
Degree overview
- Graduate with two qualifications when you study this diploma concurrently with your undergraduate degree.
- Complement your undergraduate qualification and increase employment opportunities when you graduate with a second, or third, language.
- Immerse yourself in your chosen language and culture by embarking on an international student exchange or in-country study program*
- Benefit from our on-campus learning facilities, including a Multimedia Languages Lab where you can connect in real-time with native speakers around the world.
- Learn from world-class educators and researchers in Linguistics, Language, Communication and Culture1.
- UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities2, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
* Please note that this does not apply for students studying English Language
12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
2UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
Snapshot
This diploma is designed to complement your undergraduate qualification, increase employment opportunities locally and abroad, and ensure you have the global skills and understanding needed in today’s job market.
You will study French, Italian, Japanese or English Language (for students with English as a home or additional language) concurrently while you study your undergraduate degree. Students who already have an undergraduate degree are able to study this diploma as a stand-alone qualification.
You will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in your chosen language and culture through our credit-bearing exchange and in-country study programs.
All students studying an undergraduate degree at the University of South Australia, or are enrolled in an undergraduate degree at any Australian university, are able to study this diploma concurrently.
Please note Japanese, French and Italian can be studied part-time only. English Language can be studied full-time or part-time.
What you'll learn
You will undertake an in-depth study of French, Italian, Japanese or English Language (for domestic and international students with English as a home or additional language). This diploma develops your proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in your chosen language, your understanding of the related culture and society, and offers experience in applying these in real-world situations.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. There may be projects and examinations. You could also expect:
- projects
- presentations
- continuous assessments
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Diploma in Languages
This diploma increases your employment prospects - being able to converse in a second or third language is recognised as a valuable skill by employers in today’s global workplace.
As an undergraduate student, you can complete this diploma at the same time as your undergraduate qualification - regardless of what degree you are studying - enabling you to graduate with two qualifications in just one extra year of study, depending on your prior knowledge of the language and your Bachelor pathway.
You will learn from world-class educators and researchers1 and benefit from our on-campus learning facilities, which include a Multimedia Languages Lab where you can connect in real-time with native speakers globally.
12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), 4-digit Fields of Research.
Your career
The ability to use language effectively is a great skill, particularly in a world of linguistic and cultural diversity. Knowledge of other languages and understanding of intercultural relationships is a skill held in high regard by many employers. Having a proficiency in another language can expand your career options to include roles such as:
- multilingual health professional: communicate with patients of diverse language backgrounds
- multilingual teacher: teach a language or inspire children to become multilingual by setting an example as their classroom teacher
- cultural liaison officer: help to identify the needs of individuals and families from different cultural groups, and ensure there are resources and support programs to meet those needs
- interpreter/translator: work with groups, individuals and organisations to convert, in written and spoken language, one language into another language
- tutor: provide one-on-one academic assistance to help students
There may also be opportunities for you to work for education providers, professional services firms locally or internationally, and not-for-profit organisations with headquarters, alliances and networks in international markets.
Thinking of studying soon?
2025
Ready to start your studies in 2025? You can apply to the University of Adelaide or UniSA now before continuing on to the new Adelaide University in 2026.
When the time comes to transfer, we’ll be here at every step, ensuring you’re well supported with personalised advice and a detailed study plan.
2026
Planning to start your studies in 2026? You can apply to Adelaide University directly.
Applications are currently open for international students and will open for Australian students in August 2025.
Have any questions? We're here to help! Contact Adelaide University's Future Student Enquiries Team.
Applying to study with us:
- go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
- you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
Deferment
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- career services and mentoring
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.
When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
You will have access to the on-campus Multimedia Languages Lab where you can connect in real-time with native speakers from around the world.
Your program director
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
