Program Overview

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Bioinformatics is designed for graduates or experienced professionals who wish to develop and effectively use best bioinformatics practice to solve scientific problems. This program will prepare students for a highly rewarding career in a variety of organisations, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research organisations, and government. It also provides a preparation for entry into a Higher Degree by Research program.

Program Details

• Program Code: 5754
• AQF Level: 8
• Duration: 1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)
• Start Semester: Semester 1 (23 Feb, 2026)
• Location: St Lucia

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for entry, students will need:

• A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, including two courses in any combination of computer science, biology, or statistics, or
• A graduate certificate (or equivalent) in bioinformatics. Students must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in their previous qualification.

Fees and Scholarships

• Indicative Annual Fee: $9,395 (2026)
• International Student Fee: AUD $54,096 (2026)
• Scholarships are available, including the Edwin Munro Scholarship in Agricultural Science, Roslyn Griffiths Veterinary Science Bursary, and Rowe Scientific Foundation PNG STEM Scholarship.

How to Apply

All international applications should be submitted to UQ. The program code for the Graduate Diploma in Bioinformatics is 5754. Domestic applications should also be submitted to UQ.

Program Highlights

• Gain advanced knowledge in computational statistics, software engineering, data mining, and genome informatics.
• Learn from academics who are leading researchers in their fields.
• Take advantage of links to industry, government, and academic institutions in Australia and overseas.

Career Possibilities

Postgraduate study can lead to various careers, including:

• Bioinformatician
• Data scientist
• Data analyst
• Biostatistician
• Clinical data manager
• Geneticist
• Medical writer
• Technical writer
• Research scientist
• Software/database programmer

English Language Requirements

• IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6.
• TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21, and speaking 19.
• PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub-bands.
• BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
• CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub-bands.

Student Visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Graduate Diploma in Bioinformatics are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500). There are several requirements that must be satisfied before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.