Course Curriculum

The Graduate Diploma of Linguistic Studies requires the successful completion of 80 credit points, combining foundational core units with a range of specialist electives that allow students to tailor their studies to specific linguistic interests or career pathways. The program begins with three core units totalling 30 credit points, each designed to establish essential knowledge for advanced linguistic study. Diversity in First Nations Languages introduces students to the linguistic richness, structural diversity and cultural significance of First Nations Australian languages, grounding their understanding in local and Indigenous perspectives. Global Englishes in Context explores the development, variation and global spread of English, examining how English operates as a multilingual, multicultural and rapidly evolving global language. Understanding Language Acquisition equips students with theoretical and practical insights into how individuals learn language across different stages of life, offering valuable applications for teaching, applied linguistics and communication-focused professions.Students then complete 50 credit points of specialist electives selected from a diverse range of units across TESOL, forensic linguistics, language revitalisation and maintenance and First Nations languages. These elective groupings provide flexibility, enabling students to focus deeply within one discipline or build a multidisciplinary skill set that reflects broader professional goals. TESOL electives support pathways into English language teaching and applied linguistics by offering units in research methods, language learning, teaching methodologies, intercultural communication and language assessment. Forensic linguistics electives introduce students to language analysis in legal and investigative settings through units on crime and the law, semantics, pragmatics, morphology and syntax.The language revitalisation and maintenance pathway focuses on safeguarding endangered languages, with units covering phonetics, phonology, language policy, grammar and culturally responsive education. Students interested in First Nations languages can undertake units in Yolngu languages, literature and Indigenous research methodologies, gaining culturally grounded linguistic expertise. By completing the required 80 credit points, graduates develop advanced analytical, cultural and applied linguistic skills that prepare them for careers in teaching, research, policy, community language programs and specialised linguistic fields.