Graduate certificate courses – study online

A graduate certificate is an ideal stepping stone to get the latest knowledge in your discipline, or start exploring an entirely new area of interest. They are the next level of postgraduate study after a single subject (which if you've done one, you could get credit for in your graduate certificate). They are all available online, so you can update your qualifications while working, and can be completed in as little as 26 weeks.

Whatever you need to take the next step in your career. Whether you’re looking to move ahead in agriculture, business, communication or education; step up in IT, social work, nursing, policing or psychology; or innovate in science or veterinary studies, you can, here. You’ll get the latest skills and knowledge in your chosen field, and learn from academics who work closely with industry to ensure your course is what industry needs. It’s why Charles Sturt University has the highest graduate employment rate in Australia.*

*2020 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey

You could secure a graduate certificate qualification in as little as six months. To graduate you need to complete four 8-point subjects. Subjects are offered at different times of the year, and you can choose how many you take on, but as an average if you do two each in successive session, you’ll have a brand new qualification in half a year. But at Charles Sturt University, we know things can change. Life is more hectic at some times than others. So as things change, you can modify your study to fit them. Take extra subjects when you have a bit more time. Scale back to one or two when things are busier. You can even study over the summer to get ahead.

Absolutely. You can study any graduate certificate online. Charles Sturt University is one of the largest and most experienced providers of online education in Australia. More than 25,000 people are studying with us online right now. So we put everything in place to enable you to advance in your industry, diversify your expertise or start your next career – all from the comfort of… wherever you like. When you study online with Charles Sturt University, everything you need is there at the click of a mouse. Lectures, tutorials, assessments, resources, community spaces. Plus, our extensive digital library is available 24/7, with plenty of online resources and how-to guides to help you find what you need. We’ve even got a dedicated library YouTube channel for all your library learning know-how. And if you need any books sent to you, we’ll post them out free of charge.

You know where you want to take your career next. So at Charles Sturt University, you have the opportunity to build the course that will get your there. Combine subjects from different areas and select from a range of elective subjects. You might be studying comms but also want to gain an understanding of your audience’s mindset with a psychology subject? You can, here. Or you might want to complement your IT studies with some management skills to help you run your future business. No problem. It’s your degree, done your way.

A postgraduate degree makes a big difference to your earning potential. Median salaries are more than $20,000 higher for postgrads compared to undergrads*. You’re investing in your future, and at Charles Sturt University we want to help you make it count. We offer more than $3m in scholarships and grants that can make getting qualified that bit easier. There are dedicated scholarships for postgraduate and online students, and you could be eligible to apply for more than one. The key step to getting a scholarship? Apply!

*2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey