Graduate Certificate in Education

Expand your educational vision
The education sector’s grappling with myriad big-picture issues of critical importance. How should we educate our children to help them thrive in a constantly shifting future? How can teachers inspire students to one day tackle challenges like climate change and food insecurity, without sowing seeds of anxiety?

Our Graduate Certificate in Education equips you to find and implement answers.

What will you do?
Conducted over six months full-time, the program is designed for education and training professionals seeking to develop advanced knowledge and skills in key areas. It’s also ideal for Bachelor of Teaching graduates seeking deeper insight.

You’ll complete four core courses (12 units worth of study) in one of four highly relevant areas of specialisation:

  • Educational Leadership and Innovation - study leadership and management theory in depth and consider how it can be applied to lead educational change
  • Wellbeing - examine evidence-based approaches to wellbeing support—a key knowledge area for all educators
  • English Language Teaching (ELT/TESOL) - learn the latest strategies for effective English Language Teaching
  • Research - strengthen your educational research skills and understandings, with opportunities to go on to a PhD.

Flexible study options

You can complete the Graduate Certificate in Education face-to-face or online.

Where could it take you?
You could develop initiatives to improve teacher wellbeing within educational communities. You might explore ways to reduce the incidence of cyber-bullying among student cohorts. Perhaps you’ll head overseas to inspire more women to address the world’s grand challenges through engineering and machine learning. You’ll also have the opportunity to enhance your leadership credentials still further through our Master of Education.

Note: Graduates will not be eligible for teacher registration. For this pathway see our Master of Teaching.


  • Progress your career and lead educational change
  • 4 specialisations to choose from and taught by award-winning staff
  • Flexible tailored approach to fit your busy schedule

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

SATAC Code 3GC058
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study Successful completion of a completed Bachelors degree or equivalent.

  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    International students 2 66.7%
    All students 3 100.0%

Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Australian Full-fee place

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Education provides advanced career options: for trainers across various industries (e.g. police, nursing or business); to teach in higher education including the TAFE and university sectors, or take on roles as education consultants. It also enables teachers to enhance their existing qualifications.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Professional Accreditation

This program does not constitute the requirements for a recognised teaching qualification. Students looking to become teachers will need to complete the Master of Teaching, prior to pursuing a postgraduate qualification.

Potential careers

Education Coordinator, Education Officer, Education Officer / Educator, Educational Researcher

Degree Structure

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate, you need to pass courses listed in the Master of Education to the value of 12 units as indicated below:

Recommended courses
EDUC 7013 Educational Leadership in Diverse Contexts (3 units)  
EDUC 7054 Research Design (3 units)
EDUC 7064 Introduction to Wellbeing in Education (3 units)        
EDUC 7065 Introduction to Education Research (3 units)
EDUC 7550 Education Policies & Systems (3 units) 
EDUC 7551 Curriculum Development and Innovation (3 units)
EDUC 7552 Pedagogical Engagement for Learning (3 units)
EDUC 7553 Assessment & Evaluation (3 units)             
or
12 units selected from one of the Master of Education’s specialisations:
> Educational Leadership and Innovation
> Wellbeing
> Entrepreneurship Education
> Research
> Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education
> English Language Teaching (ELT/TESOL)
> Other Education electives

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

You can study the Graduate Certificate in Education remotely. 

The following will be available online:

Graduate Certification in Education working towards a Wellbeing specialisation 

1 x EDUC 7054 Research Design (S1+S2)

1 x Elective from any of the 7 options under the PC

2 x Courses chosen from:

EDUC 7071 Contemporary Issues in WB Education (S2)
EDUC 7068 Leading Positive Change (S1)
EDUC 7060 Mentoring for Teachers (S1)
EDUC 7067 Leading WB (S2)

Graduate Certification in Education working towards a Leadership specialisation

1 x EDUC 7054 Research Design (S1+S2)

1 x Elective from any of the 7 options under the PC

2 x Courses chosen from:

EDUC 7068 Leading Positive Change (S1)
EDUC 7060 Mentoring for Teachers (S1)
EDUC 7067 Leading WB (S2)

Assessment

Seminar participation, essays, reports

Testimonial

I chose to study to broaden my skills, knowledge and pedagogy.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Wednesday, 13 Sep 2023