- 1 year (or part-time equivalent)
- Online
- Feb, May, Sep
- View dates
- AUD 28,240
- (Indicative annual fee)
Overview
- Advance your career in education with UniSQ’s Graduate Diploma of Education, which provides flexibility for professionals in education, training, and development to select specialisations and courses that best build their applied knowledge and skills.
- Develop and consolidate your learning and teaching skills and apply them to community, professional, and workplace settings.
- Study courses that are informed by contemporary learning theory and future-oriented approaches.
- Lay a solid foundation for further study – once you’ve completed this graduate diploma you can continue your studies with the Master of Education.
Specialisations in the Graduate Diploma of Education
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Guidance, Counselling and Careers
Empower student success, building essential counselling and career development skills to guide student wellbeing and growth.
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Professional Advancement
Broaden your professional capabilities, build highly sought skills in collaboration and communication and curate your learning to align with your career goals.
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Special and Inclusive Education
Prepare for a career supporting students with diverse learning needs through contemporary, evidence-based teaching methods.
Blend research and practice
At UniSQ, students have access to staff who are evidence-based scholars, who blend research and practice.
Professor Peter McIlveen
Career outcomes
With a wide variety of transferable skills, you will have the option to step into a range of professions in education-related fields including educational leadership, training, workplace mentoring, learning design and industry innovation within schools, TAFEs, universities, government agencies and industry.
Depending on your specialisation, you can upskill in a specific area and will graduate with the skills necessary for entry-level roles in educational settings including career development, counselling in educational contexts, special and inclusive education and professional advancement in educational contexts.
Professional accreditation
The Guidance, Counselling and Careers specialisation meets the requirement for associate membership to the Queensland Guidance and Counselling Association (QGCA) and allows for articulation into the Master of Education which is required for full membership to the QGCA.
What you'll study
To graduate from the Graduate Diploma of Education, you must successfully complete 8 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. This could reduce the number of courses you need to study to complete your degree.
Degree requirements
Work-based training is not a requirement in the Graduate Diploma of Education. However, selected specialisation areas require the completion of specific courses that contain optional placements.
Other study options
At UniSQ, we support busy, modern learners wanting to start or progress in their careers. Whatever your goals, we offer flexible study options such as opportunities to upskill without committing to a full degree.
Discover UniSQ’s industry-driven short courses.
This graduate diploma does not qualify you for teacher registration in Queensland. You can qualify for teacher registration in Queensland with the Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years), Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) or Master of Learning and Teaching (Secondary).
If you’re interested in further study, after completion of this degree you can go on to study the Master of Education (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 an Australian university 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent (AQF Level 7), in an education-related discipline from a recognised institution.
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 (8 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.
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
The University accepts applications all year. Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.
ApplyYou can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.
| Study period | Orientation | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| Trimester 1, 2025 | Monday 3 February | Monday 10 February |
| Trimester 2, 2025 | Monday 19 May | Monday 26 May |
| Trimester 3, 2025 | Monday 1 September | Monday 8 September |
| Trimester 1, 2026 | Monday 9 February | Monday 16 February |
Preparing to apply
You've made the decision to study at UniSQ - congratulations! Take the next steps:
You can contact one of our approved agents to guide you through the application process. Our agents provide:
- advice on your study plans
- advice on applying to UniSQ
- document certification
- assistance with any pre-departure arrangements
- assistance with your visa requirements.
To support your application, you will need to submit certified copies of:
- identity documents (passport)
- evidence of your English language proficiency
- senior high school (A levels/Year 12) certificate and academic transcripts
- all post-secondary study certificates and academic transcripts (if any)
- evidence of work experience (if required).
Application dates can vary so be sure to check our key dates to get all the details.
It is important to apply early to allow enough time for your application to be assessed and processed to meet study commencement dates and participation in Orientation activities. You should also factor in visa processing requirements and timeframes, where applicable.
After you’ve submitted your application, you will be emailed a reference number. Please allow up to 14 days for assessment. If further assessment is required for course credits or exemptions, this process may take longer.
Once you have received your letter of offer from UniSQ, you will need to return your signed acceptance of offer form. The UniSQ team will contact you at this time with more information regarding next steps.
Find out more
Connect with us - start a conversation, whenever suits you.
Frequently asked questions
With the ability to choose your specialisations, you can explore your passion for Education and Teaching in so many ways with a Graduate Diploma of Education. It can be helpful to reflect on your professional experience and what you are passionate about when trying to choose your specialisation.
Guidance & Counselling - Extend your current teaching career by developing basic counselling skills and an understanding of the key issues faced by students and how to support them.
Special & Inclusive Education- Enhance your current teaching skillset and develop the specialised knowledge needed to work with students with disabilities and additional learning needs.
When you study Education and Teaching at UniSQ, you are choosing an important stepping stone for your career in education. Get in touch with one of our iconnect support staff to talk though your Graduate Diploma of Education study options.
Make the practical choice for your education career and choose a postgraduate Diploma in Education with UniSQ:
- Learn from the best – UniSQ's expert lecturers model the latest teaching approaches ensuring maximum support for face-to-face or online learning.
- We are rated 5/5 stars in Education* for:
- graduate starting salary
- overall experience
- social equity.
- Our Guidance & Counselling specialisation qualifies you for associate membership to the Queensland Guidance and Counselling Assocation (QGCA) and allows for articulation into the Master of Education (Guidance, Counselling and Careers).
By studying a postgraduate Diploma in Education you will enhance your key transferrable skills such as communication, planning, leadership and teaching, opening up career opportunities in a variety of sectors and fields.
*Good University Guide, 2024.
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place in a higher education program where the Australian Government shares the cost of your study by paying part of your fees directly to the University. Students in a CSP pay a reduced fee called a “student contribution” and eligible students may defer this portion of their fees to a HELP loan.
Your letter of offer to study a grad dip in Education will indicate if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place. Commonwealth Supported Places are only available to eligible domestic students.
The entry requirements to study a Grad Dip in Education will vary depending on the education provider you choose. At UniSQ you need to have completed an Australian university bachelor's degree, in an education-related discipline.
For further information please view the entry requirements section of this page.
The main difference between a graduate certificate and graduate diploma is the time it takes to complete each qualification. Compared to the four-five months it takes to finish a graduate certificate, it takes up to 12 months of full-time study to complete the eight units required in a Grad Dip in Education. In both the certificate and diploma, you can opt to study part-time which does increase the time in which it takes to complete the degree.
A Graduate Diploma of Education usually incorporates the same course options as a graduate certificate in the same discipline area but builds on your knowledge from the certificate and advances your skills further. It also has similar coursework subjects as a master's degree in the same study field, but the flexibility of not having to commit to a full master's degree.
Once you finish your Grad Dip in Education you'll be equipped and in demand for a variety of roles in different settings, including:
- schools
- TAFE
- universities
- government agencies
- disability
- training
- human services
- community based government agencies.
In today's world, study must be flexible, fitting into your life while not sacrificing the quality of your learning experience and that has been the cornerstone of UniSQ's approach over the past decade. Our postgraduate Diploma in Education is available to study online, giving you the freedom to choose where and when you study. The choice is yours!
- Over 80% of our postgraduate students study online
- Learn from the online experts – benefit from 40+ years of experience delivering distance learning in a dynamic and supportive way.
- As an online student, you’ll receive the same level of support as an on-campus student.
