What Is a Graduate Certificate? And How Can It Level-Up Your Career?

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate university qualification, usually taking three to four years of full-time study to complete. It provides students with a strong foundation of knowledge on a broad discipline of studies such as Science, the Arts or Business. At AQF level 8, a graduate certificate sits above a bachelor’s degree. 

You don’t necessarily need a bachelor’s degree to embark on a graduate certificate. Anyone who has completed a certificate IV or equivalent in their chosen field meets the entry requirements of most graduate certificate courses. To complete a graduate certificate or a “level 8” qualification, you should have advanced knowledge and skill within your chosen profession or field. Most people who have worked in their profession will meet this criterion. 

Successfully completing a graduate certificate can be a stepping stone toward into academic journey and fully-fledged postgraduate studies. It can be used as a bridging qualification, allowing you access to a more advanced course, like a master’s program. However, not all masters degrees have a graduate certificate entry pathway. So for those hoping to jump feet first into the land of postgraduate studies, make sure you do your research.

A graduate certificate is a highly specialised qualification. It aims to develop advanced specialist knowledge and skills within your chosen field so you can move forward in your career. As the graduate certificate is only six months long, the coursework and learning outcomes are relevant and practical.

A graduate certificate’s shorter, more specialised nature means you have more control over what you learn than longer postgraduate courses. The certificate focuses more on practical application than theoretical knowledge, leaving less room for irrelevant, core units to take up your time. 

Choosing to complete a graduate certificate shows your employers (and yourself) that you have a passion for your work. It shows your drive to upskill and can open the door to forward progression in your industry. 

Graduate certificates are only one full-time semester long. Most RTOs offer part-time study options and online or blended study methods. Not only are graduate certificates more flexible than their longer postgraduate counterparts, but they also have lower tuition fees. Rather than pay for two-three years of full-time study, you only need to pay for one semester, and FEE-HELP loan schemes are also available.