- 0.5 years (or part-time equivalent)
- Toowoomba
- External
- Feb, May, Sep
- View dates
- AUD 6,456
- (Indicative annual fee)
Overview
- Explore your interests and enhance your professional skills in science, technology or both. UniSQ’s Graduate Certificate of Science is a great way to experience postgraduate study and see if it’s the right fit for you.
- Tailor your learning, selecting courses according to your professional needs, interests and prior study.
- Choose four eligible units of study within your chosen area and enjoy the convenience of online study.
Specialisations in the Graduate Certificate of Science
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Agricultural Science
Delve into the field of agricultural science and build essential skills to broaden your career prospects in this growing industry.
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Astrophysics
Explore the universe through astrophysics, gaining essential skills in observation, measurement, and physics.
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Environment and Sustainability
Build a foundation in environmental science, exploring climate, ecology, and conservation. Understand human impacts, research ethics, and science communication in a changing technological world.
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Mathematics and Statistics
Develop your career by combining scientific thinking with real-world problem solving and advanced mathematical skills.
Know me by name
My lecturers know me by name and they’re always happy to help and answer questions. You just feel like there’s this great sense of community and support.
Georgia - Science
Career outcomes
As a graduate, you could find work in a wide range of industries depending on your area of specialisation. This includes agriculture, technology, government, scientific services, resources/mining industries, business, national parks, universities, defence organisations, CSIRO, State and Federal Government Departments, and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
What you'll study
To graduate from the Graduate Certificate of Science, you must successfully complete 4 units of study.
Degree structure
A postgraduate university degree typically comprises of advanced coursework and research opportunities, allowing you to deepen your expertise in a specific field while building upon foundational knowledge.
Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for detailed recommended enrolment patterns and course availability.
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previous studies or relevant work experience. This could reduce the number of courses you need to study to complete your degree.
Degree requirements
You will be required to attend on-campus residential schools as part of this degree. During these sessions, you will attend face-to-face practical classes and workshops, use the laboratory facilities and specialised equipment, and engage with staff and fellow students.
Other study options
If you’re interested in further study, after completion of this degree you can go on to study the Graduate Diploma of Science (if you meet all the entry requirements).
Entry requirements
There are many ways to be considered for entry into a UniSQ degree based on your education, work experience and relevant personal attributes. You need to satisfy the following requirements to be considered for entry into this postgraduate degree.
- Completion of a 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent, from an Australian university
or - equivalent professional work experience.
You'll need to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires:
- IELTS (Academic) - Minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Alternative English language proficiency tests may also be accepted.
Entry pathways
There is more than one way to get into university, and if you're not sure about your entry options get in touch to discuss.
Fees and scholarships
- This estimated 2025 annual fee is based on the current average rate for your first year of study (4 units per year) and does not include cost of materials such as textbooks, additional costs or the Student Services and Amenities fee.
- This is an indicative guide only and your fees will vary depending on the courses you select, with the actual rates calculated at enrolment.
- We review our fees annually and they may increase each year.
- Further details are available on the Fees website.
Additional costs
You may be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee as part of your degree cost.
This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation, and meal expenses.
Payment options
You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP is a government loan scheme that allows you to defer payment until your income reaches a certain threshold. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP.
You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Services Australia.
UniSQ Scholarships
We offer scholarships for academic excellence, community leadership, and financial need - you can apply for more than one!
Find out moreHow to apply
Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.
ApplyYou can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.
| Study period | Application closing date | Orientation | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trimester 1, 2025 | Monday 10 February | Monday 3 February | Monday 10 February |
| Trimester 2, 2025 | Monday 26 May | Monday 19 May | Monday 26 May |
| Trimester 3, 2025 | Monday 8 September | Monday 1 September | Monday 8 September |
| Trimester 1, 2026 | Monday 16 February | Monday 9 February | Monday 16 February |
More information on application key dates is available.
Preparing to apply
You've made the decision to study at UniSQ - congratulations! Take the next steps:
The entry requirements for your degree will provide you with details regarding the documentation to provide. These may include:
- interviews and selection criteria
- CV/resume or LinkedIn profile
- referee reports.
After you’ve submitted your application, you will be emailed a reference number. You will be notified via email the outcome of your application within 10 business days.
Follow the link in your email from UniSQ or log in to the application portal to accept your offer.
Find out more
Connect with us - start a conversation, whenever suits you.
Available 5 days a week
Chat now
Freecall
1800 269 500
Email us at study@unisq.edu.au
Frequently asked questions
Expand your skills and expertise with a Graduate Certificate in Science at UniSQ.
- UniSQ hosts the only ground-based support in the Southern Hemisphere for NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite mission.
- UniSQ's science research centres lead research in Health Research, Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Crop Health, Astrophysics, Future Materials, Applied Climate Sciences and more.
- We're rated 5/5 stars for postgraduate science & mathematics teaching quality.*
- #1 in Queensland for postgraduate science & mathematics:
- learning resources
- overall educational experience
- student support.*
*Good Universities Guide 2025
A graduate certificate is usually the first step towards postgraduate study. It's an ideal qualification to start your journey and make a valuable contribution to your resume. You might look to use it to get a competitive edge in your workplace or just enjoy learning something new. Most postgraduate certificates in science (including only take half a year to complete and contain four courses which is far less than a bachelor's degree.
A bachelor's degree is an undergraduate qualification most often chosen by people new to university study. To earn an undergraduate degree you'll typically complete around 120 hours of coursework which can take three to four years depending on what you choose to study.
With the ability to choose from 15 specialisations, you can explore your passion for science in so many ways. It can be helpful to reflect on your professional experience and what specifically your passionate about when trying to choose your science specialisation. Once you identify what you love in the sciences it'll make it less stressful and nurture your strengths when it comes to selecting the right option when choosing a postgraduate certificate in science.
Agricultural Sciences - Gain critical knowledge in food security, application of new technologies to agricultural production, crop biology, soil management and advances in agricultural machinery.
Astrophysics - Expand your knowledge of the universe and the ethical considerations that come with modern science and technology.
Environment and Sustainability - Understand the intersecting social, political and environmental implications of human impacts on the planet.
Mathematics and Statistics - Grow your expertise with numbers as you learn advanced mathematical theories and computational thinking.
The entry requirements for Graduate Certificate in Science will vary depending on which university you choose, however, at UniSQ you'll generally need an Australian university three or four-year bachelor degree or equivalent in the form of professional work experience.
For further information on the entry requirements at UniSQ, you can view the entry requirements section of your chosen specialisation.
A certificate in science is designed to build upon your existing knowledge by connecting you with world-class lecturers, opening new career possibilities and adding advanced subject matter material to your bank of expertise.
Our science lecturers bring a wealth of experience and cutting-edge insights to the classroom, ensuring that you receive the most up-to-date and relevant information. You can then use this to advance your career or use it to step into a new field in the science sector from Applied Climate Science to Mathematics and Statistics.
At UniSQ, our Graduate Certificate in Science is a natural progression to build upon your existing knowledge to more advanced concepts, giving you the tools and insights necessary to excel in your chosen field.
At UniSQ, a Graduate Certificate in Science takes approximately half a year to complete with a total of four courses.
You might choose to study your degree part-time which will increase the time it takes to finish the required courses.
At UniSQ, you can study a Graduate Certificate of Science flexibly whether its on-campus, externally, full-time or part-time. You can even combine different modes to suit your lifestyle and work commitments.
Depending on the postgraduate certificate in science specialisation you choose there may be required residential schools which are located on-campus.
Flexible study options have been the cornerstone of UniSQ's approach to learning over the past decade as we not only provide you with a choice of how you can study but don't sacrifice on the quality of the learning experience.
Discover the different ways you can study at UniSQ.
