Graduate Diploma of Arts (Korean)

The Graduate Diploma of Arts (Korean) is a one-year qualification for people who want to build real fluency in Korean and understand the culture and society behind the language. It suits graduates from any field, theology, ministry, education, business, community work, who need Korean for their vocation, further study or personal interest. You do not need a Korean background to apply, though some prior exposure helps.

What you study

You take a set of units that develop listening, speaking, reading and writing across a range of everyday and formal contexts. Expect grammar and vocabulary work, conversation practice, reading of short texts, and written composition. Because this is a graduate diploma, the pace is faster than an undergraduate beginner sequence and the expectations are higher. Assessment typically includes oral presentations, written assignments, listening tests and exams. Class sizes are usually small, and you get plenty of speaking time.

How the qualification is structured

The graduate diploma sits at AQF Level 8, between a bachelor degree and a master's. It normally takes one year of full-time study, made up of units of study worth credit points. At this institution the year is divided into semesters, with some units available in summer or winter intensives. You need to pass all required units to graduate. There is no research thesis at this level, but you may complete a final project or extended piece of written work depending on the units you choose. Part-time study is possible, which stretches the qualification over two years or more.

Where it can take you

Graduates use Korean in ministry, community services, education, translation, business and further academic study. The diploma also provides a pathway into a master's degree with credit for prior study. Australian institutions assess credit individually, based on your previous qualifications and the units you have completed. Confirm the exact credit arrangements with the university before you enrol.

As an international student on a Student visa, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, provided you meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements. English proficiency is required for admission, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the usual coursework-postgraduate standard, and the university accepts TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and its own English programmes as equivalents. The Student visa itself has a separate English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs.

Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Check the official course page for current fees, unit details and intake dates before you apply.

• Community services and multicultural liaison roles in Australian organisations serving Korean-speaking communities
• Ministry and pastoral work in Korean-language congregations or cross-cultural church settings
• Education support and language assistance in schools and community colleges
• Translation and interpreting in community, business or government contexts
• Business and trade roles involving Korean partners or markets
• Further study, a master's degree in arts, theology or Asian studies, with credit for prior learning where approved