Course

Master of Cross-cultural Relations

Approved Abbreviation: MCross-cltRelations

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1883.1

AQF Level: 9

CRICOS Code: 0101777

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is 2020 or later.

The School of Humanities and Communication Arts, in collaboration with the Australia-China Institute for Arts and Culture and other Schools in Western Sydney University, is offering a stimulating and rigorous degree to meet the needs of cultural institutions, creative industries and government departments in their increasing engagement in international cultural exchanges. The Master of Cross-cultural Relations has a practical focus of cultural exchanges between Australia and China, but the knowledge and research skills acquired are applicable to all cultural relations. The course appeals to Australian and Chinese students, as well as other international students who would like to develop careers in international cultural exchange management. The course will help you develop an advanced understanding of intercultural communication and competence, international business management, cultural diplomacy, and the cultural policy and practice in Australia and China. A major research project in cultural exchange will be carried out in the second year, to apply the knowledge and skills from previous units to a real life setting which may involve a work placement in Australia.

Successful completion of this Master’s program provides pathways to higher degree research study. Students who wish to pursue higher study at a doctoral level can apply for entry into the Master of Research and apply for up to 80 credit points of advanced standing for completing the year one units. Any student wishing to apply for entry into Year 2 of the Master of Research must have a supervisor/supervisory panel in place and a detailed research proposal (2500 words) which must be submitted with the application. As this program has 50% (60 credit points) research components, students may have opportunities to apply for direct entry to PhD after they complete.

Director of Academic Program - Jing Han

Study Mode
One and a half years full-time or three years part-time.

Admission

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in humanities, social sciences, Asian studies, international relations, languages, linguistics, creative arts, or business and management;

Successfully completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline and a minimum of two years full-time equivalent professional work experience in related roles.

Additional Application Information

Applicants wanting to have professional experience considered as part of the application process are required to submit:

• A curriculum vitae (CV) including:

- Details of a minimum of two years of full-time equivalent professional experience (paid, voluntary or student) in a supportive capacity in a cultural institution or a government department or a not for profit organisation within an arts and cultural context, including dates and a description of duties.

- Details of training and experience in the respective roles.

• A statement of service or signed letters from employers confirming your role, duties and period of employment.

• A statement detailing how your professional experience prepares you to undertake postgraduate study.

Applicants must have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, with a minimum 6.0 in each subtest.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements Prerequisites
As per any project placement site requirements - this may include, but may not be limited to, various criminal records and working with children checks. The relevant checks would be required just prior to placement or site visits and will be conducted by the industry partners if needed. Students enrolling in the alternate unit 102544 China Culture Study will be required to travel to China for two to three weeks at a specified time.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This course includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is an optional work component available in this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the course but the work itself was not registered with CRICOS, students can still complete these electives but it would be counted towards the work limitation. For more details, refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Students must complete 110 credit points of Core Units listed below and one 10 credit point unit from the Alternate Unit Pool.

Core Units

Students complete 70 credit points from the following units

102542

Australian Cultural Policy and Practice

102541

Chinese Cultural Policy and Practice

102543

Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power

102338

Intercultural Communication (PG)

200835

Managing in the Global Context

800218

Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research

800220

Researcher Development 2: Proposing and Justifying Research

Plus the 40 credit point Research Project in Cultural Exchange

102545

Research Project in Cultural Exchange

Alternate Unit Pool

Students complete 10 credit points from the following units

102544

China Culture Study

200848

Governance, Ethics and Social Entrepreneurship

200845

Innovation Through Digital Technology

101695

Introduction to Interpreting PG

101696

Introduction to Translation PG

102181

Nation, Power and Difference

102295

Space, Place and the Field

102176

Theories of Difference and Diversity

- Alternate units are offered in various teaching sessions. Please click on the individual unit links above for details of the teaching sessions available for each unit.

- Students enrolling in the alternate unit 102544 China Culture Study will be required to travel to China for two - three weeks during November/December. On their return to Australia, students are required to complete the assessments for this unit during the Summer A session, late November - early February.

Recommended sequence

Start year intake

Year 1

1H session

800218

Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research

Autumn session

102542

Australian Cultural Policy and Practice

102543

Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power

Q2 session

200835

Managing in the Global Context

2H session

800220

Researcher Development 2: Proposing and Justifying Research

Spring session

102541

Chinese Cultural Policy and Practice

102338

Intercultural Communication (PG)

Students must also complete one unit from the Alternate Unit Pool listed above.

Early exit

Students may graduate with course 1885 Graduate Certificate in Cross-cultural Relations after the successful completion of 40 credit points of study, which may include one unit only from the Alternate Unit Pool.

Students may graduate with course 1884 Graduate Diploma in Cross-cultural Relations after the successful completion of 80 credit points of study, comprising the Year 1 Core units and one unit from the Alternate Unit Pool.

Year 2

Autumn session

102545

Research Project in Cultural Exchange

Articulation point to the Masters of Research

The timeline for part-time students will involve all coursework units listed above to be completed prior to the commencement of unit 102545 Research Project in Cultural Exchange.

Recommended sequence

Mid-year intake

Year 1

2H session

800218

Researcher Development 1: Reading ,Writing, and the Business of Research

Spring session

102541

Chinese Cultural Policy and Practice

102338

Intercultural Communication (PG)

Students must also complete one unit from the Alternate Unit Pool listed above.

Year 1

1H session

800220

Researcher Development 2: Proposing and Justifying Research

Autumn session

102542

Australian Cultural Policy and Practice

102543

Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power

Q2 session

200835

Managing in the Global Context

Early exit

Year 2

Spring session

102545

Research Project in Cultural Exchange

Articulation point to the Masters of Research

The timeline for part-time students will involve all coursework units listed above to be completed prior to the commencement of unit 102545 Research Project in Cultural Exchange.