Graduate Diploma in Social Impact

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Diploma in Social Impact, you must successfully complete units totalling 48 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points. 

Core unit

• Social Impact

Elective units

Select 42 credit points from the following:

• Leading Change for Sustainability
• Social Impact Investment
• Demonstrating Social Impact
• Design for Social Innovation
• Social Impact Field Project
• Corporate Responsibility and Accountability
• Managing Just Transitions
• Collaboration and Policy Making for Social Impact
• Leadership for Social Impact

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

The Graduate Diploma in Social Impact has three categories of entry:

Category A
Applicants require a recognised bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) with a credit average (65 per cent or higher) as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Calculator; and at least two years of full-time relevant work experience.

Category B
Professionals without a bachelor's degree can apply to the program if they have at least five years of full-time relevant work experience in government, corporate or not-for-profit sector.

Category C
Students completing the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact (with a minimum overall WAM of 65) are able to articulate into the Graduate Diploma of Social Impact with full course credit given. Applicants must have at least five years of full-time relevant work experience in government, corporate or not-for-profit.

English language requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets our requirements. Contact the university for further information. If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application.

You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• English language tests and university English courses.
• Prior study in the medium of English.
• Other qualifications.

Contact the university or visit their website for more 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

• Business communication: Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.
• Business knowledge: Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and global business.
• Problem solving: Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.
• Teamwork: Students will interact and collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose or fulfil a common business project, and reflect critically on the process and the outcomes.
• Responsible business practice: Students will develop and be committed to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.
• Leadership development: Students will develop the capacity to take initiative, encourage forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.
• Global and cultural competence: Students will be aware of business systems in the wider world and actively committed to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others, and will apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse environments.

Career outcomes

The Graduate Diploma in Social Impact provides advanced knowledge to implement social change within organisations or your own enterprise. 

Possible careers:

• Executive Roles in Not-for-Profit and Community Organisations 
• Public or Social Sector Managers and Leaders 
• Social Policy Managers in the Corporate Sector 
• Social Entrepreneurs 
• Foundation Executives and Managers 
• Social Business Executives and Administrators 
• Corporate Community Engagement Executives and Professionals 
• Social and Ethical Investment Professionals

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative first-year full fee in 2026: $42,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $42,000 (Full-fee paying place)

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 program.