Deakin University

Graduate Certificate of Leadership

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Strengthen your ability to lead change, communicate direction and deliver strategic outcomes while applying contemporary leadership thinking to challenges from your own workplace.

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Download your course guide and connect with a university advisor to explore:

  • Course structure
  • Learning outcomes
  • Fees
  • Entry requirements

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Course overview

Transform your professional experience into stronger leadership practice with Deakin University’s Graduate Certificate of Leadership. Designed for working professionals who already have experience leading teams, the course develops your ability to communicate direction, respond to change and lead within complex organisational environments.

You will connect contemporary leadership theory with challenges from your own workplace through applied projects and reflective practice. The distinctive structure combines academic study with Advanced Professional Practice Credentials that recognise demonstrated workplace capability and short courses exploring areas such as crisis leadership, innovation and organisational change.

Delivered online over one year of part-time study, the course may be completed in approximately eight months when all requirements are undertaken across two consecutive trimesters. It can strengthen your leadership contribution across different professions and organisational settings and provides an alternative entry pathway to Deakin University’s Master of Leadership for eligible students without a bachelor’s degree.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
More Information
Not available full-time
12 months (Part time)
Price Per Unit
From $4,275
More Information
The estimated fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Intake
November, 2026
February, 2027
June, 2027
October, 2027
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
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Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Certificate of Leadership, you must successfully complete requirements totalling 4 credit points, as detailed below. The course combines standard units, Professional Practice Credentials and 0.5-credit-point stackable short courses.

Core units

  • Leadership Practice with Impact
  • Leadership and Professional Development

Professional Practice Credentials

Complete both of the following credentials at the Advanced level:

  • Adaptive Mindsets (Advanced)
  • Driving Strategic Results (Advanced)

The two Professional Practice credentials collectively comprise 1 credit point. Students are assessed using evidence drawn from their current or previous leadership experience. The credentials may be attempted separately or simultaneously.

Stackable short courses

Complete two 0.5-credit-point stackable short courses from the options available in 2027:

  • Crisis Leadership
  • Innovation and Leadership
  • Innovation and Organisational Change

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To be eligible for this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher in any discipline and at least two years of relevant work experience.
  • At least three years of relevant work experience.

Relevant work experience may include a managerial or professional role involving:

  • Leadership of teams with direct or indirect reports.
  • Responsibilities as a supervisor or manager.
  • Operational implementation of organisational strategy.

The university considers applicants’ academic history, work and life experience and individual circumstances. Meeting the minimum academic and English language requirements does not guarantee admission.

Supporting documents

Applicants must submit:

  • A current CV clearly demonstrating their professional or managerial experience.
  • Current contact details for two referees who can provide information about their work experience.
  • A personal statement outlining their motivation for study and any other information relevant to their application.

English language requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of at least one of the following:

  • A bachelor’s degree completed in a recognised English-speaking country.
  • An IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no individual band score below 6.0, or an accepted equivalent.
  • Other accepted evidence of English language proficiency.

Contact the university for further information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

  • Possess an integrated understanding and superior ability to apply contemporary leadership theory and practices.
  • Use advanced communication tools, techniques and media to engage and inspire others.
  • Discover, analyse, synthesise and disseminate complex information, data and ideas to stakeholders, strategic partners and professional colleagues using a range of digital technologies and channel.
  • Systematically and critically analyse and test leadership styles, models and theories to optimise leadership impact within a specific cultural and operational context to drive strategy.
  • Apply problem-solving skills to analyse contemporary leadership related issues within organisations and provide solutions to these challenges.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of your own approach to leadership and the nature of your impact on others.
  • Work across a range of professions, functions, contexts or teams to optimise collaborative outcomes and improve strategic outcomes.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative coursework fee in 2027: $12,125 (Full-fee paying place)
Plus an indicative accreditation fee: $4,445 

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

  • The number of units studied.
  • 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.