Australian residents
International students
Duration: 
0.5 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
Footscray Park
Delivery mode: 
Hybrid
Start dates:
24 February 2025
28 July 2025
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
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Overview

Study Victoria University's Graduate Certificate in Education to advance your knowledge of teaching for the education sector, community, industry and government.

This certificate is the first step in our graduate program in education. It is tailored to trainers and teachers in education, community, government and industry.

Our Graduate Certificate in Education gives you an overview of the latest high-level education theory. You’ll learn contemporary ideas and techniques in:

  • approaches to learning
  • educational leadership for social justice
  • innovation in education
  • vocational education and training: policy and practice.

Using this knowledge, you’ll conduct your own workplace research. This experience is valuable if you’re ready to take your teaching career into a research or management role.

Our graduate program is offered in three stages. Successful completion of this graduate certificate gains you admission to the Graduate Diploma of Education, which leads into the Master of Education.

This course does not provide registration to teach in Australia.

Commonwealth Supported Places in 2023

Fees are heavily subsidised and HECS-HELP loans available for eligible students in 2023. Apply now or register your interest - there's never been a better time to study!

Following the overwhelming success of the revolutionary VU Block Model with undergraduate students, we have rolled out the Block Model to our postgraduate courses.

This course is delivered in four-week mode, which means you study one unit (subject) at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several units at once. And with its focused timetables and smaller, collaborative classes, VU’s Block Model gives you more time to connect with your peers, lecturers and industry partners, helping you to build strong professional networks.

The VU Block Model has improved our student results and engagement, and has won multiple international awards for innovation and excellence.

The College of Arts, Business, Law, Education and IT has strong links with local schools, community centres and industry, especially in Melbourne’s north and west. These offer valuable networks and learning opportunities.

Our education research benefits the whole community, through programs that work towards social transformation and inclusion.

During your graduate certificate, you’ll undertake workplace research. And if you progress to a masters degree, you will undertake a major research project, and present your findings as a thesis.

You may research an aspect of education that interests you, looking to improve education delivery and participation.

We offer a variety of further research opportunities through our education centres and institutes:

Our Footscray Park Campus has everything you need, all set a pleasant stroll from the Maribyrnong River and parklands.

Facilities include:

  • aquatic and fitness centre
  • childcare services
  • learning common spaces with WiFi, tables and chairs
  • restaurants and café
  • state-of-the-art lecture theatres.

Our library gives you constant access to online resources from wherever you are. It also has the following for your use:

  • 14 group study rooms
  • 15 laptops for loan
  • 296 PCs and six Apple Macs
  • printing, copying and scanning
  • WiFi access.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back
Define your career in Education with a postgraduate degree - Transcript

Careers in education

Postgraduate study is increasingly important in advancing your education career. This course could lead to a work as one of the following:

  • education professional in schools or other settings
  • manager in specialist education
  • workplace trainer.

Salaries

Use Labour Market Insights to find average salaries in Australia for various professions: 

Course structure

To attain the award of Graduate Certificate in Education students will be required to completed in total 48 credit points consisting of:

- 48 credit points of Core studies

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Formulate a commitment to ethical action, social responsibility and sustainability in an education context;  
  2. Critically review perspectives on the contemporary context of education, vocational training and professional development locally and nationally;  
  3. Apply knowledge about theories to frame and inform practice as a reflective educator;  
  4. Interpret theoretical perspectives, analysis and problem solving, and an awareness of current research into lifelong learning;  
  5. Use technologies for communication, knowledge access, and collaboration in the construction of understanding.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a similar discipline
OR
Applicants with a minimum five (5) years approved work experience will be considered for admission to this course.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Additional information

All applicants are required to submit a current version of their CV.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 24 February 2025
  • 28 July 2025

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

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Get help

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.