Graduate Certificate in Education Studies

The Graduate Certificate in Education Studies, articulating into the existing Master of Education Studies, is intended for applicants without a 4-year Bachelor of Education and who therefore cannot satisfy entry to the existing Graduate Certificate in Education. This program creates a pathway to postgraduate study of education via a three-year degree related to education. Prospective students include international students articulating with a 3-year education degree, as well as domestic students progressing to postgraduate education study from related areas including arts, community development and education, and training and professional education variously classified, among others.

About this Course

The Graduate Certificate in Education Studies is designed to provide students with new theoretical and technical knowledge and understanding of research that informs contemporary educational approaches relevant to their area of interest.
The program does not have professional accreditation.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have:

Completed a Bachelor degree or equivalent in education.
Completed a Bachelor degree in any field and a Graduate Diploma (AQF8) in Education.
Completed a Bachelor degree or equivalent in any field and four years of work experience in education or a relevant field as approved by the University.

Applicants with an assessable qualification that is lower than AQF 7 will be considered under equivalent graduate status where employment experience will be assessed in combination with their academic qualification.
There are no assumed knowledge requirements for this course.

Periods Course is Open for New Admissions

The course is open for new admissions in the following periods:

Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Domestic | International
- 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 16 February 2026 |
- 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 |
- 2027 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 15 February 2027 |
- 2027 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 09 August 2027 |

Credit Arrangements

There are currently no formal credit transfer arrangements for entry to this course. Any previous study or work experience will only be considered as part of the application process in accordance with current course rules and university policy.

Course Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Education Studies requires the completion of 12 credit points.
Required: Critical Reasoning and Academic Literacy PG (10436) - 3 credit points.
Restricted Choice: Students must pass 9 credit points from a list of specified units, including:
- Educating Globally PG (9085)
- Educational Leadership and Change PG (9086)
- Education Research Perspectives PG (9087)
- Educating for Sustainable Worlds PG (9088)
- Engaging Communities in Change PG (9089)
- Critical Policy Analysis in Education PG (9092)
- Educating for Inclusion PG (9094)
- Leading and Sustaining Professional Learning Communities PG (9096)
- Investigating Curriculum and its Context PG (9102)
- Curriculum Development and Design PG (10321)
- Leading Coaching and Mentoring in Education PG (10324)
- Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Education PG (10325)
- Understanding the Rural Professional Context PG (10327)
- Leadership in Indigenous Education PG (10332)
- Issues and Challenges in School Improvement: International Perspectives PG (10353)
- Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing PG (10435)
- Contemporary Uses of Digital Technologies in Education PG (10437)
- Applications of Learning and Memory PG (10438)
- Evaluating Education Systems and Programs PG (10439)
- Advanced Professional Learning G (11717)

Typical Study Pattern

Standard Full Time, Semester 1 Commencing:
- Year 1:
  - Semester 1: Critical Reasoning and Academic Literacy PG (10436) and three Restricted Choice units.
Standard Full Time, Semester 2 Commencing:
- Year 1:
  - Semester 2: Critical Reasoning and Academic Literacy PG (10436) and three Restricted Choice units.
Standard Part Time, Semester 2 Commencing:
- Year 1:
  - Semester 2: Critical Reasoning and Academic Literacy PG (10436) and one Restricted Choice unit.
- Year 2:
  - Semester 1: Two Restricted Choice units.

Course Information

Course Duration: Standard 0.5 years full time or part-time equivalent. Maximum 3 years from date of enrolment to date of course completion.
Learning Outcomes:
- Graduates will gain new theoretical and technical knowledge and understanding of research that informs contemporary educational approaches relevant to their area of interest.
- Graduates will demonstrate advanced cognitive, technical and communication skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise complex ideas in relation to education and educational practice.
- Graduates will critically reflect upon and evaluate interventions in relation to educational practice and context.
- Graduates will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills by making independent judgements, initiating and planning in educational practice and/or educational contexts.
Awards: Graduate Certificate in Education Studies (GradCert EdSt).
Alternative Exits: The Graduate Certificate in Education Studies is subsumable into the Master of Education Studies.

Fees

The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points.
The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
Per Unit Full Course 2025: $2,912.5 2026: $3,000.
Information on how fees are calculated can be found here.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).
View IELTS equivalences.

Delivery Mode

Blended: Mixture of online and on campus units are available.
On campus: Units are delivered on campus.
Online: All units are online.
Online Plus: Units are available online, except where attendance at a physical location is required for placement or professional accreditation.

Location

All course material is developed and delivered via the location listed. Online units do not require on campus attendance.

Selection Rank

The selection rank is the minimum ATAR plus adjustment factors required for admission to the program in the previous year. This is an indicative guide only as ranks change each year depending on demand.

Academic Entry Requirements

To study at UC, you’ll need to meet our academic entry requirements and any admission requirements specific to your course.
Please read your course admission requirements below.
To find out whether you meet UC’s academic entry requirements, visit our academic entry requirements page.

AQF Level

University of Canberra qualifications are recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Level 5 - Diploma
Level 6 - Associate Degree
Level 7 - Bachelor Degree
Level 8 - Bachelor Honours Degree OR Graduate Certificate OR Graduate Diploma
Level 9 - Masters Degree
Level 10 - Doctoral Degree

Inherent Requirements

In addition to course requirements, in order to successfully complete your course you must meet the inherent requirements. Please refer to the inherent requirements statement applicable to your course.

Graduate Certificate in Education Studies

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