Bachelor of Languages

Bachelor of Languages

Make a career out of your talent for languages with the Bachelor of Languages.

Make a career out of your talent for languages with the Bachelor of Languages.

Program code

BP317

Duration

3 years

Intakes

February

October

 

Application deadlines

10 February

13 October

Location

RMIT Saigon South

Overview

If you can see yourself interpreting for a company director on a trade mission to Japan, or translating and writing for a multinational corporation, this program will set you on the path to your dream job. 

You will develop sophisticated language proficiency and cultural awareness through a combination of theory and practical skills, garnering career opportunities across numerous industries.  

Gain a foundational understanding of language in different cultural contexts and then choose to specialise in one of the two majors:  

  • The Translating and Interpreting major utilises cutting-edge technology, including simultaneous interpreting booths and specialised software, to build your language skills.
  • The Japanese major combines language skills with experiences of Japanese lifestyle and culture, including engagement with Japanese industry partners

Students can also choose to double major in both Translating and Interpreting and Japanese and can tailor their program and broaden their career pathway with a minor in business, communication, or other general electives.  

The program places a strong emphasis on interactive learning in the first two years, incorporating advantages of technological tools in face-to-face and online learning. It is followed by Work Integrated Learning (WIL) courses tackling language and cultural issues. 

a woman staring at a laptop
Bachelor of Languages

This program provides a foundation in understanding language in different cultural contexts and allows you to specialise in the majors of Japanese or Translating and Interpreting, or both. 

Program structure

A major is an area of specialisation. Students can choose:

  • Major in Translating & Interpreting with minor of four courses
  • Major in Japanese with minor of four courses
  • Double major in Translating & Interpreting and Japanese

Major in Translating & Interpreting with a minor

Major in Japanese with a minor

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

  • Working and Managing in Global Careers
  • Japanese 6
  • Elective

Double major in Translating & Interpreting and Japanese

A major is an area of specialisation. Students can choose: 

  • Major in Japanese with minor of four courses 
  • Major in Translating and Interpreting with minor of four courses 
  • Double major in Translating and Interpreting and Japanese

You may choose from the following minors:

  • Japanese (four consecutive courses, depending on Japanese language proficiency level at entry) 
  • Translating and Interpreting
  • Communication Industries 
  • Digital Marketing
  • Global Business
  • Management and Change
  • Tourism and Hospitality

Translating & Interpreting major

This is a competitive area which currently has a shortage of skilled professionals. Studying at RMIT will give you the edge in the job market, as employers seek graduates with cultural understanding in addition to language skills, and an international qualification.

Your studies will include an overview of popular theory, issues and opportunities in language and related industries, and engage in real projects, such as working on websites and marketing promotions. On completion of your program you will be eligible to take an internationally recognised translating and interpreting proficiency test.

Japanese major

Demand for Japanese proficiency is booming, driven by the influx of Japanese investment in Vietnam. Japanese learning combines language skills with experiences of Japanese lifestyle and culture and you will have the opportunity to travel to Japan as part of your studies.

You will learn from highly qualified academics and Japanese nationals who also have a background in industry. Your Japanese language level will be carefully monitored and upon completion of your program you will be eligible to take an internationally recognised Japanese language proficiency test.

For the Japanese major: based on a Japanese placement exam, students will complete eight consecutive Japanese courses – Japanese 1-6 and two advanced courses, or Japanese 2-6 and three advanced courses, or Japanese 3-6 and four advanced courses.

Double major in Translating & Interpreting and Japanese

Students of this advanced program will enjoy the best of our language courses. Graduates will enter the job market with high-level trilingual and cross-cultural skills.

Learning, teaching & assessment

RMIT offers a multicultural learning environment and teaching by Japanese nationals and other highly qualified academics who have a background in industry.

The Bachelor of Languages places a strong emphasis on face-to-face learning in years one and two, followed by two WIL (Work-Integrated-Learning) courses, and further cultural studies in your final year. The WIL courses include a project and an internship where you can put what you’ve learned into real-world practice.

As part of the Language and Culture capstone project you will develop a bilingual product, system, or event. You will expand and enhance your cross cultural communicative skills and knowledge through engaging problem based tasks that focus on language issues in a globalised context. For example, you may work online to develop a digital marketing communication strategy for a Japanese corporation.

Assessment tasks in this program will include some of the following:

  • Assignments and projects
  • Reflective journals
  • Role-plays or presentations
  • Self-assessment and peer-assessment
  • Problem solving
  • Examinations: you will undertake final oral (speaking), aural (listening),  and written exams.
Expand all sections

In this program you will be assessed on your development of program learning outcomes in areas of communication, life-long learning, global outlook, cultural and social awareness and work preparedness.

As a graduate of this program you will develop:

  1. Communicate effectively in a range of forms and in different international and cross-cultural contexts, using appropriate modes of communication including electronic, written, graphic, oral and aural forms with audiences within and external to the discipline.
  2. Critically reflect on the role of culture in communication and society and apply this knowledge in a range of cross-cultural interactions locally and globally.
  3. Work independently and in diverse teams to solve problems, using effective communication strategies demonstrating ethical and reflective practice.
  4. Adapt and develop effective communication strategies to address linguistic diversity in the workplace.
  5. Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and innovation when identifying and solving problems in diverse contexts within language related fields.
  6. Identify, evaluate and critically analyse cultural, historical and theoretical practices which contextualise your professional practice and further study of language.
  7. Evaluate and apply technology to increase efficiency and precision in language sensitive working contexts.
  8. Critically analyse resources, evidence and personal experience to make ethical, socially and politically aware decisions related to language and intercultural interpretations and applications.
  9. Effectively manage your own learning, developing skills in lifelong learning of languages and cross-cultural communication.

RMIT provides world-class blended learning with both face-to-face and online experiences in a global network, a supportive community, and real-world skills.

Career

Depending on their choice of major and minor, graduates in Languages can pursue careers in international organisations, government agencies, or Vietnamese companies in a wide range of positions, such as:

  • Professional translator and interpreter
  • Content developer / editor 
  • External / customer relations officer 
  • Executive assistant
  • Liaison officer 
  • Events and marketing assistant 
  • Administration officer 
  • Project assistant / coordinator 
  • International trade executive 

Further studies

When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT honours or postgraduate program in Vietnam and Australia.

 

Fees

Payments can be made each semester, on a course-by-course basis.

Fee program

Annual tuition fee 

(based on full time study load - 8 courses)

Whole program fee

(23 courses - 288 credits)

 

 13,664 USD (indicative USD fee) ~ 318,633,667 VND  40,991 USD (indicative USD fee) ~ 955,901,000 VND 

Notes:

  1. The duration of programs is flexible and can be adapted on an individual basis upon enrolment.
  2. Program fees are priced and invoiced in Vietnam Dong (VND).
  3. Payment in other currencies will be converted to VND at the exchange rate on that day. Bank transfer is the preferred method of payment.
  4. The fees in USD are ONLY applicable to those international students who arrange for payment from overseas, as per Circular No. 32/2013/TT-NHNN.
  5. Tuition fees and medical insurance fees are subject to change without notice.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

  • Vietnamese Upper Secondary School (High School) Graduation Diploma with a minimum GPA of 7.0/10.0 for Grade 12 (For other international qualifications please view entry requirements by country​

Academic pathway

English requirements

Successfully complete RMIT Vietnam English Advanced, or complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic) 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL iBT 79 (with minimum score of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 58 (no communication band below 50)
  • C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) or C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) 176 (no less than 169 in any component)

For other recognised English results, please view English equivalency requirements.

Note:

Previous study and proficiency tests are recognised for two years from the completion date or test date to the program commencement date unless stated otherwise.

Where you have achieved more than one form of English language proficiency only the most relevant achievement will be considered in the admission decision.

Please contact the RMIT Vietnam Student Recruitment team for more information.

Translating and Interpreting major/minor:

The Translating and Interpreting stream requires students to translate between languages; accordingly, you need to demonstrate advanced language skills in two languages, one of which will be English.  

If you choose the Translating and Interpreting major/minor, you may be required to demonstrate your proficiency in your selected language other than English (LOTE) through attainment of the following results.

  • If your selected pair of language is Vietnamese – English and you did not complete three years of high school in Vietnam, you may be required to take RMIT LOTE test (English - Vietnamese bilingual test) and achieve a result equivalent to International Vietnamese language proficiency test Advanced level (C1, C2)
  • If your selected pair of languages is Japanese – English, you may be required to submit evidence of Japanese language proficiency test (JLPT) N2; and/or take RMIT Japanese placement test and achieve a result equivalent to RMIT J6
  • For other pairs of languages, you will be assessed on a case-by-case basis

Upon completing the LOTE and Japanese placement form at the time of application, RMIT will decide whether LOTE or Japanese placement test is required.

Japanese major/minor:

If you choose the Japanese major/minor, you are required to complete the LOTE and Japanese placement form, but there is no required Japanese language proficiency level at entry.

English Pathways

Don't meet the English language test scores? Successfully complete English for University for entry into this program. 

Credit transfer

Come from a partner institution? RMIT has pathway arrangements with many partner institutions around the world. If your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT, you may be able to receive credit and reduce the time it will take to complete your preferred RMIT program. 

Find out if your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT.

If you have qualifications from an institution that is not an RMIT partner, credit into your RMIT program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Please contact the RMIT Vietnam Student Recruitment team for more information.

How to apply

1. Find your program

2. Check your eligibility

3. Prepare your documents

4. Submit your application

RMIT’s standard closing dates for receiving applications for each semester is published on the important dates for students page. Please note, RMIT’s offer is subject to the availability of places in each program and applications to competitive programs may close when program quotas fill before published deadlines. As such, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.