Graduate Certificate of Public Policy

What you will study

A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Entry Requirements

Admission Criteria

• Successful Completing a recognised bachelor's degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree or equivalent international qualification.

Applicants who don't meet the entry requirements are advised to contact the course coordinator in the Faculty of Arts and Society at fas@cdu.edu.au for further advice.

English language requirements

To enter Charles Darwin University, all higher education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025, all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing one of the following:

• Year 12: Completing Year 12 within Australia or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists below).
• 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study: Successful completion of at least 0.5 FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
• CDU Enabling Course: Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5 FTE (40 credit points).
• TAFE Qualification: Completing a recognised TAFE qualification from Australia at a Certificate III level or higher.
• AHPRA Registration: Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
• English Test: Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below.

Minimum Requirements for English Tests:

• CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes: Successful completion of EAP004.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test: Overall minimum: 6.5, No band below: 6.0.
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Overall minimum: 176, No skill below: 169.
• Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic: Overall minimum: 58, No score below 50.
• Test of English as a Foreign language: Overall minimum: 79, Minimum writing score: 21.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit towards your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined in the university policy. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career Outcomes

Graduating with a Graduate Certificate of Public Policy may lead to career opportunities in government and private companies as:

• Policy Researcher

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated full fee in 2025: $11,268 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated fees are determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.