University of Sydney

Graduate Certificate in Public Policy

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 6 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Equips students with analytical and strategic skills to navigate complex policy challenges, offering a dynamic blend of theory and real-world application in one of Australia’s leading academic institutions.

Course overview

Gain a critical and multidisciplinary perspective on the global, national and local levels of a rapidly changing policy environment, with growing public scrutiny, shrinking resources and new transboundary challenges through the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy.

The degree is designed for those working or looking to work in government and the public sector and for those working in non-government or private sector bodies who seek a better understanding of the role of government in public policy making.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
Course Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
6 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,937.50
More Information
Fees are indicative and calculated based on a study load of 24 credit points.

From $2,124 (CSP)
More Information
You may be eligible for CSP where the government pays part of your fees. The estimated CSP fees are calculated using the annual CSP rate. They are based on a study load of 24 credit points.
Campus
Camperdown/Darlington
Intake
New start dates announced soon
Units
4
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans and HECS loans are available to assist domestic students.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy are required to complete 24 credit points, including:

  • 12 credit points from core units of study.
  • 12 credit points from selective units of study.

Each unit is valued at six credit points.

Core units of study

  • The Politics of Policy Making
  • Public Management and Governance

Selective units of study

  • Globalisation and Governance
  • Global Environmental Politics
  • Challenges of Democratic Politics
  • Strategy and Civil Society
  • Emotions, Agenda Setting and Public Policy
  • Topics in Environmental Politics
  • Campaigning: Data, Politics, Strategy
  • Public Sector Ethics and Corruption
  • Issues in Public Policy
  • Leadership in Theory and Practice
  • Media Politics
  • Comparative Migration Policy
  • Comparative Welfare States
  • Global Social Policy

Entry Requirements

Admission requires a bachelor's degree with a major in the social sciences from the University of Sydney or an equivalent qualification.

English Language Requirements

You may need to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study this course.

If English is your first language, you may be able to meet the requirements if you have:

  • Citizenship or permanent long-term residency (minimum ten years).
  • Completed secondary or higher education (tertiary) studies recognised by the University in an approved English-speaking country.

If English is not your first language, you may be able to prove English proficiency with an approved English skills test taken within two years of commencing the course.

  • IELTS score: a minimum result of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 6.5 in each band.
  • TOEFL - IBT score: a minimum result of 96 overall, including a minimum result of 20 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 22 in Writing.
  • Pearson Test of English: a minimum result of 68 overall and a minimum result of 61 in each band.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The related study may be credited towards your degree. This may also include relevant work experience for some postgraduate courses. Contact the university for more information.

Fees and CSP

Estimated fee in 2025: $8,496 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated fee in 2025: $15,750 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated fees are calculated based on completing a study load of 24 credit points.

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.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
  • Depending on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

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