Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced)

Ancient World Studies embraces the broad study of Classical Greece and Rome, as well as Egypt and the Near East from 3000 BCE to the 4th century CE. Students can choose a variety of subject streams, which combine the study of texts in translation such as myth, literature, history, and philosophy with the study of archaeology, art, and architectural monuments. In addition, students can focus on a particular time period, geographic region, technical specialisation such as myth or ceramics, or thematic area of study. Students will gain insight into and understanding of contemporary society by exploring how ancient cultures have contributed to the development of our modern world, with regard to gender and ethnic identity, warfare, colonialism and imperialism, the propagandistic power of literary and visual imagery, and technology and economy. They will develop skills in research, writing, analysis, and communication that promote career flexibility.

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) is an advanced level of study designed to allow students to specialise their knowledge across one area of study. Students accepted into the program undertake fourth-year level subjects and a short research thesis. The opportunity to specialise provides a strong foundation for the future direction of graduates, whether as a means of progressing to higher degree research in Arts at the Masters or PhD level, or improving the scope of employment options and professional advancement.

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Please be advised that the Anthropology Specialisation does not accept applications for mid-year admission. Candidates can only commence in Semester 1.

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) allows you to undertake advanced-level coursework subjects and a minor research thesis in a specialist field of study. The Anthropology program within the GDA is equivalent to an Anthropology Honours program. It serves as prerequisite entry to a Masters by Research or PhD in Anthropology for those who have not completed a four-year Arts (Honours) degree specialising in Anthropology.

The Anthropology GDA program is designed to augment students’ ability to apply innovative solutions to complex problems in Anthropology and related fields. Through undertaking both coursework and a minor thesis, the program enables students to explore the philosophy and scope of Anthropology, enhances their research and analytical skills, and develops their ability to generate original ideas.

The program provides a strong foundation for the future direction of graduates, whether as a means of progressing into research higher degree at the Masters or PhD level, or improving the scope of employment options and professional advancement.

The prerequisites for entry to the Anthropology program within the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) are completion of an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent.

View detailed information in the Handbook

See program overview

View detailed information in the Handbook

See program overview

View detailed information in the Handbook

See program overview

View detailed information in the Handbook

See program overview

View detailed information in the Handbook

See program overview

View detailed information in the Handbook

Ancient Greek and Latin have been taught at the University of Melbourne since its very foundation, and have been a core element of higher education for many centuries. The overall objective of the Classics program is to introduce students to key literary texts from classical antiquity (including history, drama, oratory, philosophy, epic, and lyric poetry), and to enable students to discover the many important contributions which reading ancient texts in the original languages can make to understanding both the ancient world and the Western tradition. A knowledge of Ancient Greek and Latin is also very useful for research and training in such related disciplines as biochemistry, medicine, the history and philosophy of science, archaeology, Biblical studies, history, philosophy, art history, Romance language studies, English literary studies, and music.

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) program is an advanced level of study designed to allow students to specialise their knowledge across one area of study. Applicants for the Classics (Ancient Greek and Latin) specialisation must have completed prior study in both classical languages. Students with knowledge of only one classical language (but not both) should apply for the Ancient World Studies specialisation and enrol in the fourth-year seminars in the language that they have studied. Students accepted into the GDA program undertake fourth-year level subjects and a research thesis. The opportunity to specialise provides a strong foundation for the future direction of graduates, whether as a means of progressing to higher degree research in Arts at the Masters or PhD level, or improving the scope of employment options and professional advancement.

View detailed information in the Handbook

See program overview

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please be advised that the Criminology Specialisation does not accept applications for mid-year admission. Candidates can only commence in Semester 1.

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) allows you to undertake a minor research subject and coursework subjects in a specialist field of study at an advanced level. This course is equivalent to an Arts Honours program when the thesis component is taken. It serves as prerequisite entry to a Masters by Research or PhD for those who have not completed a four-year Arts (Honours) degree in the relevant area.

View detailed information in the Handbook

See program overview

View detailed information in the Handbook

See program overview

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) program in French Studies comprises advanced coursework on French language, literature, culture and cinema taught in French, and a research thesis to extend students’ knowledge and skills in understanding French language and culture. After successfully completing the program, students will have gained considerable practical skills such as research skills, report writing skills, language skills and international and cultural awareness.

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Please be advised that the Gender Studies Specialisation does not accept applications for mid-year admission. Candidates can only commence in Semester 1.

Gender Studies considers the significance of gender and sexuality across a broad range of cultural contexts, identities and histories. The program analyses how gender intersects with crucial issues such as ageing, class, disability, ethnicity and globalisation. Subjects consider ideas about femininity, masculinity and sexuality through close engagement with an extensive variety of theorists, case studies and media. Gender Studies is transdisciplinary and draws on the diverse interests of specialists located throughout the Faculty. This enables its students to develop a unique combination of research skills drawn from both the Arts and Social Sciences.

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The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) program in German comprises advanced coursework and an individual research program designed to extend students’ knowledge and skills in one specific field of German Studies (such as German linguistics, German literary studies or German cultural studies). After successfully completing the program, students will have gained considerable practical skills such as research skills, report writing, presentation and communication skills, language skills and international and cultural awareness.

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Please be advised that the History Specialisation does not accept applications for mid-year admission. Candidates can only commence in Semester 1.

This course consists of two main parts: the writing of a thesis that constitutes an original contribution to historical knowledge and participation in seminars that explore history as a craft and a profession, sampling a range of topics and approaches. The thesis is completed under the one-on-one supervision of an experienced academic and involves original research in primary sources and the development of skills in interpreting those sources in order to construct an argument that is then situated within the existing scholarship. The course develops marketable skills in research, critical analysis, written and oral communication, and argumentation.

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The Graduate Diploma (Advanced) in History and Philosophy of Science is an advanced and specialised course, involving an addition year of study at fourth year level. It is available to all students who have completed the requirement for the BA, with a major in History and Philosophy of Science and a weighted average of at least H2B (70%), or equivalent. Students taking the Graduate Diploma (Advanced) in HPS will be expected to write a 15,000-word thesis, and take four coursework subjects. The compulsory subject offered in the Diploma will provide an overview of important contemporary developments in history and philosophy of science. Students also take a methodological subject and two elective subjects.

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View detailed information in the Handbook

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View detailed information in the Handbook

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) program in Italian Studies comprises advanced coursework and an individual research project designed to extend students’ knowledge and skills in one specific field of Italian Studies (such as Italian linguistics, Italian literacy studies, Italian cultural studies, Italian cinema studies, Italian Renaissance studies and translation studies).

After successfully completing the program, students will have gained considerable practical skills such as research skills, report writing skills, language skills and international and cultural awareness.

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View detailed information in the Handbook

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) program in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics consists of advanced coursework and an original supervised research project designed to extend the students’ knowledge and skills using regular methods of inquiry and applying appropriate theories and methodologies to the identification and resolution of research questions within linguistics and applied linguistics.

After completing the program, students will be prepared to progress into a research higher degree at the Master or PhD level or enter the workforce with improved employment options and scope for professional advancement.

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Students will gain considerable knowledge in an area of media and communication and engage in critical assessment of major debates and professional practices. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) in this area of specialisation allows students to undertake a research project in a specialist field of study. The course provides a pathway to higher degree research for students who have not completed a four year BA (honours) with a research component in media and communication. Alternatively, students may be able to enter the professional Master of Global Media Communications.

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Studying Philosophy through a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced), represents an excellent opportunity to take your academic development beyond a level attainable in the first three years of undergraduate study. Advanced work in philosophy further advances your skills of reasoning and critical analysis, in ways that are valuable to employers. The focus on writing longer pieces of work, in particular the thesis component, also makes for an intellectually rewarding experience, one in which you are granted greater intellectual autonomy than you will have experienced before, including a greater opportunity to pursue your own ideas.

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Please be advised that the Politics and International Studies Specialisation does not accept applications for mid-year admission. Candidates can only commence in Semester 1.

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) allows you to undertake a minor research subject and coursework subjects in a specialist field of study at an advanced level. This course is equivalent to an Arts Honours program if the thesis component is taken. It serves as prerequisite entry to a Masters by Research or PhD for those who have not completed a four-year Arts (Honours) degree in the relevant area.

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The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) in this area of specialisation provides students with an advanced understanding of key concepts and issues in professional ethics. The course will appeal to professional people who want to understand both the roots of the ethic appropriate to their own profession and the wider social and ethical context in which it is located. The diploma may lead to higher degree study in professional ethics or related areas of study.

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Please be advised that the Public Policy and Management Specialisation does not accept applications for mid-year admission. Candidates can only commence in Semester 1.

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See program overview

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) allows you to undertake a minor research subject and coursework subjects in a specialist field of study at an advanced level. This course is equivalent to an Arts Honours program if the thesis component is taken. It serves as prerequisite entry to a Masters by Research or PhD for those who have not completed a four-year Arts (Honours) degree in the relevant area.

View detailed information in the Handbook

See Program Overview

View detailed information in the Handbook