| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-02-01 | - |
| 2025-07-01 | - |
Program Overview
Graduate Diploma of Global Development
Overview
Gain the specialist skills and experience to support sustainable local and global development. Make a difference to communities, developing hands-on experience in analysing, evaluating and generating innovative solutions to complex social and environmental problems.
Fast Facts
- Location: JCU campuses or study centres where you can study this course. 'Online' means the course can be studied off-campus using a combination of online resources, printed material or other technologies. Some online courses include on-campus workshops and travel for professional placements.
- Online
- Cairns
- Commencing: The month(s) you can start the course. For courses offered at JCU Singapore and JCU Brisbane, see 'How to Apply'.
- Online: February, July
- Cairns: February, July
- Fees: Indicative, annual cost of your course. Some courses are supported by the Australian Government with the government paying some of your fees. This is the Commonwealth Supported fee. The tuition fee is the fee payable if Commonwealth Support does not apply. You can defer your fees if eligible with HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. The Student Services & Amenities Fee is a required payment from most students.
- $32,167.00^
- ^estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
- Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
- Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
- Currently displaying fees for 2025, which are subject to change in following years.
- Duration: The time it will take you to complete the course as a full-time student. Also specifies if the course is available part-time. This section will indicate if some online courses may have a longer duration due to their different delivery method.
- 1 year full-time
- Entry Requirements: This is usually a score given to Year 12 students upon completion of their studies. Non-school leavers can have their qualifications and work experience assessed to obtain an equivalent score. The score displayed is the minimum adjusted ATAR/rank that was required for entry. Some subjects are required for entry into a course. Whereas assumed knowledge indicates a minimum level of knowledge
- AQF level 7 bachelor degree; or equivalent
Course Detail
What to Expect
Cultivate the interdisciplinary skills and expertise required to address pressing development issues relevant to tropical Australia and the Asia-Pacific. JCU’s Graduate Diploma of Global Development is highly attuned to both current and future decades and its subjects align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly conservation and restoration, and economic and sustainable resource management. Gain an in-depth understanding of the urgent issues facing vulnerable communities through JCU’s unique position as a university for the Tropics that has worldwide impact.
As you study this Graduate Diploma of Global Development degree, you will gain conceptual and practical skills to understand and respond to the shifting landscapes of human development. Learn how to critically analyse, evaluate and generate solutions to complex development problems — from infrastructure to systemic issues — for tropical, remote and inter-cultural settings through informed and evidence-based methodologies. Throughout this degree, you will learn to integrate and apply advanced theoretical and technical knowledge in global development policy and practice, ensuring your ability to make a difference at both a community and policy level.
Develop the knowledge and skills that will allow you to work in the priority areas of poverty alleviation, sustainable planning, social justice, climate responsive systems, sustainable resource management and global health — areas identified by the UN as key global challenges for future sustainability.
In the Graduate Diploma of Global Development, you will study two core subjects — Development in Practice and Critical Issues in Global Development — and two elective subjects that align with your interests and passion. Elective subjects cover a broad range of topics including development and conservation, disaster resilience and natural resource management, public health, sustainable development planning and policy, Indigenous futures, governance and social change, leadership and management, and research techniques specific to development.
Help build a brighter tomorrow and improve global, social and cultural wellbeing. Global Development graduates are innovative world-changers who make a difference in many contexts and settings.
Career Opportunities
JCU Global Development graduates are multi-skilled and are employed in various local and global settings.
Graduates pursue careers in a range of industries, including national and international nongovernment organisations, local councils, multilateral organisations, and global governance institutions.
You could find employment as an advocate, business planner and developer, fundraiser, disaster recovery specialist, research assistant, teacher, engineer, or health professional.
For a more advanced qualification, go on to study the Master of Global Development.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Global Development.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Graduate Diploma of Global Development at James Cook University equips students with the skills and expertise to address urgent development issues in tropical Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly conservation and restoration, and economic and sustainable resource management, this program fosters a critical understanding of the complexities of human development.
Outline:
Core Subjects:
- Development in Practice (EV5951:03): Examines practical development methodologies, theories, and approaches.
- Critical Issues in Global Development (EV5952:03): Addresses contemporary challenges, debates, and trends in global development.
Elective Subjects (Choose 12 credit points):
Disaster Resilience, Conservation, and Natural Resource Management:
- Conservation Biology (BZ5215:03)
- Population and Community Ecology (BZ5220:03)
- Technological Applications in Ecology (BZ5225:03)
- Restoration Ecology (BZ5480:03)
- Wildlife Ecology and Management (BZ5740:03)
- Marine Conservation Biology (MB5004:03)
- Economics and Sustainable Resource Management (EC5218:03)
- Human Dimensions of Nature, Environment and Conservation (EV5020:03)
- International Environmental Policy and Governance (EV5107:03)
- Principles and Practices of Protected Area Management (EV5209:03)
- Disasters, Communities and Planning (EV5606:03)
- Leadership in Disaster Management (EV5614:03)
- Natural Resource Management (EV5200:03)
Public Health:
- Tropical Public Health (TM5502:03)
- Environmental Health (TM5514:03)
- Public Health in Humanitarian Emergencies (TM5536:03)
- Global Health and Development (TM5552:03)
- Reproductive Health in Developing Countries (TM5562:03)
- Public Health Management, Leadership, Planning and Policy (TM5513:03)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (TM5510:03)
- Disaster Health Management (TM5557:03)
- Public Health Economics (TM5526:03)
Sustainable Development Planning and Policy:
- Climate Change and Biodiversity (BZ5755:03)
- Environmental and Regional Planning (EV5001:03)
- Environmental Economics (EV5003:03)
- Sustainability in Practice (EV5015:03)
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EV5110:03)
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EV5301:03)
- Urban Geography and Design (EV5953:03)
- Research Methods for Global Development (EV5953:03)
- Economics for a Sustainable World (LB5229:03)
- Policy Analysis and Management (PL5002:03)
- Sustainable Tourism Management (TO5004:03)
- Social Policy Analysis (WS5005:03)
Indigenous Futures:
- Indigenous Australians (IA5013:03)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as Colonial Subjects (IA5022:03)
- Comparative Indigenous Studies (IA5029:03)
- Navigating the Cultural Interface (IA5030:03)
Economics, Governance, and Social Change:
- Cost Benefit Analysis (EC5202:03)
- Econometrics and Big Data Analysis (EC5216:03)
- Economic Growth and Sustainable Development (EC5205:03)
- Macroeconomic Policy (EC5206:03)
- Economics of Social Policy (EC5207:03)
- Economics and Sustainable Resource Management (EC5218:03)
- Regional Environmental History (HI5005:03)
- Corporate Responsibility and Governance (LB5231:03)
- International Political Economy (LB5236:03)
- Political Communication; Ecology and Environmentalism (PL5110:03)
- Shifting Geopolitical Environments in Emerging States (PL5006:03)
Development Leadership and Management:
- Design Thinking Principles (CP5641:03)
- Career Planning (SC5200:03)
- Leadership Futures (LB5241:03)
- State Society and Governance (LB5243:03)
- Cross-Cultural Conflict Resolution (LB5514:03)
- Conflict Analysis (LB5525:03)
- Conflict Resolution Processes (LB5530:03)
- Ethical Decision Making and Reflective Practice (LB5536:03)
- People in Organisations (LB5205:03)
- Cross-Cultural Leadership (LB5240:03)
- Negotiation (LB5500:03)
- Facilitative Mediation Practice (LB5501:03)
- Sustainable Conflict Management (LB5526:03)
- Leadership and Management Skills (LB5714:03)
Careers:
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Global Development are equipped to work in various settings, including:
- National and international non-government organizations
- Local councils
- Multilateral organizations
- Global governance institutions Potential career paths include:
- Advocate
- Business planner and developer
- Fundraiser
- Disaster recovery specialist
- Research assistant
- Teacher
- Engineer
- Health professional Graduates may also pursue further studies in the Master of Global Development.
James Cook University
Overview:
James Cook University (JCU) is a public university located in Queensland, Australia. It is known for its focus on tropical research and its commitment to providing a world-class education in a unique environment. JCU is the second-oldest university in Queensland and is considered a leading institution in Australia.
Services Offered:
JCU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Study options:
Undergraduate and postgraduate programs, online courses, and pathways to university.Student life:
Accommodation, campus locations, global rankings, scholarships, and accessibility support.Admissions and entry:
Application process, important dates, fees and financial support.Current student support:
Subject search, course and subject handbook, fees and financial support, timetable and important dates, exams and results, off-campus student support, study overseas opportunities, student life, clubs and sporting teams, student mentor program, student placements, graduation and beyond, learning online, personal support, Indigenous student support, LearnJCU, The Learning Centre, careers and employability, and safety and wellbeing.Student Life and Campus Experience:
JCU offers a vibrant student life with a strong sense of community. Students can expect:
Unique environment:
World-class facilities, natural wonders, and a vibrant student life.Opportunities:
Study overseas, join clubs and sporting teams, participate in the student mentor program, and engage in student placements.Support:
Access to a range of support services, including personal support, Indigenous student support, and career guidance.Key Reasons to Study There:
World-class education:
Delivered by expert lecturers and world-class researchers.Career-focused courses:
Equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their chosen field.Unique research opportunities:
Access to world-class research facilities and locations, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest Observatory, and the Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine.Commitment to student success:
Lecturers are dedicated to helping students achieve their full potential.Environmental sustainability:
JCU is committed to environmental sustainability, with energy-efficient facilities and a focus on tropical research.Academic Programs:
JCU offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines, including:
Arts, Society and Education
Business, Law and Governance
Healthcare Sciences
Medicine and Dentistry
Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences
Science and Engineering
Other:
JCU is committed to research that addresses global challenges and improves outcomes for those living in the tropics. The university has a strong focus on environmental sustainability and Indigenous engagement. JCU graduates are known for their problem-solving skills and their commitment to making a difference in the world.
Entry Requirements:
- Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree; or
- Other qualifications or practical experience recognized by the Dean, College of Arts, Society and Education as equivalent to the above.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
