Key facts
Duration
3 years part-time
Locations
^Waurn Ponds (Geelong) offering available for continuing students only
Course overview
Whether you are brushing up or starting from scratch with a whole new language, Deakin's Diploma of Spanish is a great complement to your studies in any discipline. Through this diploma, you will learn communication skills in Spanish and develop an understanding of Spanish culture and ways of life, plus you will gain a global perspective and boost your employability.
Gain fluency by taking part in activities across a range of topics focusing on grammar, lexicons, vocabulary and sentence structure. You will also learn about cultural, historical sociolinguistic and political dimensions of the societies and cultures that make up the Spanish speaking world.
Do you want to develop your language skills to build a global career?
Spanish is a major international language with more than 400-million speakers on five continents. It's the national language of more than 20 countries and the third most widely spoken language in the world (after Mandarin and English). Our Spanish language program allows you to gain proficiency in Spanish and provides insights into Spanish culture and ways of life.
An optional in-country language program gives you the opportunity to spend time overseas studying the language and culture.
Build your language confidence with Deakin’s in-country language program
The in-country language program gives you the opportunity to spend time overseas studying language and culture in its own environment. You will develop further proficiency in Spanish, learning to converse, read and write about more complex topics and build upon your knowledge of grammar.
For more information about the in-country language program please refer to the work-integrated learning website or contact the WIL team.
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Diploma of Spanish
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- A224
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 5
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Course structure
To complete the Diploma of Spanish, you must pass 8 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 8 credit points of core units
Most units are equal to one credit point.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Note: This course is part-time only.
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Spanish major sequence
For students with no prior language study.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Spanish major sequence
For students who have completed Spanish at Year 12 or equivalent (non-background speakers) begins at second level and consists of the following units:
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
ALS360 Selected Topics in Spanish [No longer available for enrolment, AIX300 replaces this unit]
ALS370 Advanced Topics in Spanish [No longer available for enrolment, AIX301 replaces this unit]
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
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Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- current enrolment in a bachelor degree or higher
- successful completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent
- completion of a certificate IV in a related discipline
- completion of a diploma in any discipline or 50% completion of diploma in a related discipline
- successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 20 in any other English
- IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Access and equity
Equity schemes and scholarships, formerly known as Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS), enable Deakin to consider any disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and how these have impacted your studies. Equity schemes help us identify whether you are from an under-represented group when making selection decisions for certain courses. It's important to note that participation in an equity scheme does not exempt you from meeting the standard course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin's equity schemes and scholarships.
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2026 students (PDF, 879KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - (CSP) ?Enrolling in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) means the Australian Government pays part of your course fees directly to Deakin, and you pay a 'student contribution'.
$4,738 for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose, as each unit has its own cost. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year. You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options on our Current students fees website or estimate your tuition fees.
Scholarship options
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you’ll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications for Trimester 1, 2027 open in July.
In the meantime, why not speak to our student advisers about your course and career options? It’s the best way for future students like you to get expert advice on preparing your application.
Career outcomes
Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment.* With us you can step-into your future with confidence. The Diploma of Spanish equips you with skills in the Spanish language giving you a competitive edge and expanding your employment options beyond Australian shores.
Adding an international aspect to your degree can open doors to better career opportunities in:
- the arts
- business or trade
- diplomacy or security
- education
- foreign policy
- health
- international development
- IT or engineering
- sciences.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
*Australian Graduate Survey 2010–2015, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016–2023, Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT). The #1 graduate employment is based on overall employment for domestic undergraduates of Victorian universities, 4–6 months after course completion, with an equal overall employment rate with Monash University.
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Critically analyse language systems (pronunciation, grammar, syntax, and sociolinguistic practices) and culture, and apply these to the language of study |
| Communication | Communicate effectively in the language of study in a range of contexts using appropriate grammar, syntax, pronunciation and sociolinguistic practices in the language of study |
| Digital literacy | Evaluate online technologies and new media for engagement with authentic material in the language of study, as well as for autonomous language study |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate information relating to and expressed in the language of study including analysing relevant socio-cultural contexts |
| Problem solving | Identify linguistic and sociolinguistic problems and apply knowledge of the systems of the language of study to propose solutions |
| Self-management | Apply a range of short- and long-term strategies in order to maintain and progress engagement with the language of study |
| Teamwork | Collaborate with others to address challenges in specific cultural and linguistic contexts |
| Global citizenship | Using the language of study, analyse issues in diverse global contexts |
Approved by Faculty Board November 2021
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
