University of Queensland

Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Policy

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

Boost your career potential and gain an advanced understanding of 21st-century governance and public policy.

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Policy aims to take your student experience to a new level and boost your quality and employability as a future leader. As a student, you'll undertake high-level coursework to gain practical knowledge and research skills, as well as a critical, inquiring approach to questions of governance and policy development in the modern world.

You'll gain a deeper understanding of how governments operate and the major public issues confronting our society across areas such as community and international policy, governance and development, and resource management.

As a graduate, you'll be equipped with a transferable skill-set allowing you to meaningfully address key policy issues and improve policy outcomes in both the public and private sectors.

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 $3,900
More Information
The estimated fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Campus
St Lucia
Intake
22nd February, 2027
26th July, 2027
Units
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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

At UQ, a unit represents the value of individual courses that contribute to the total unit requirements of a program. Most UQ courses have a value of two units, though some may vary depending on the program or course structure.

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Policy, you must complete eight units, normally comprising between two and four courses depending on your selected study option. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth two units.

Select one of the following study options.

Option 1: Foundational units

Complete all eight units:

  • Writing Politics (four units)
  • Foundations in Politics, Policy and International Relations (four units)

Students without a previous qualification in the same discipline are recommended to select this option.

Option 2: Flexible core units
Option 3: Flexible core and elective units

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements

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

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline with a GPA of at least 4.5 on UQ’s seven-point scale.
  • Have completed post-secondary studies with a GPA of at least 4.5 on UQ’s seven-point scale and have at least two years of relevant work experience, or part-time equivalent, in a public policy organisation. Applications through this pathway are individually assessed.

Relevant experience may include planning, managing or implementing policies and programs within local, state, national or international government agencies; program delivery or project management within non-government or community organisations; or work involving research, evaluation, organisational capability development or service delivery.

The experience should demonstrate analytical and writing capabilities.

English language requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency, such as:

  • An IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no individual band score below 6.0.
  • A TOEFL iBT overall score of 87, with at least 19 in listening, 19 in reading, 21 in writing and 19 in speaking.
  • A PTE Academic overall score of 64, with at least 60 in each communicative skill.
  • Another form of evidence accepted by the university.

OET is not accepted for this course. 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 to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career Outcomes

Potential career outcomes include:

  • Think Tank Adviser
  • Policy Research Institute Member
  • Not-for-Profit Manager
  • Environmental Adviser
  • Ministerial Team Member
  • Diplomatic Corps Official
  • Public Policy Adviser
  • International Law Practitioner
  • Global Health and Development Adviser
  • Social Justice Advocate

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $15,600 (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 course.