Key facts
Domestic students course information.
Entry is based on a bachelor qualification or above (or overseas equivalent), or 5 years of full-time relevant work experience.
Entry is based on a bachelor qualification or above (or overseas equivalent), or 5 years of full-time relevant work experience. English language requirements must also be met.
- Up to 2 years part-time
| Start Dates and Campus | Trimester 1 – February 2026 | Trimester 2 – June 2026 | Trimester 3 – October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Not Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Armidale Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
| Sydney Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
| Online | Not Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Armidale Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
| Sydney Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
Course information
Download course brochure
The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will continue to have a profound impact on our workplaces. The UNE Graduate Certificate in AI Innovation is a unique course designed to develop strategic leaders capable of harnessing artificial intelligence to drive innovation within existing enterprises or new ventures. This course equips you to harness AI for impactful changes in your workplace, enhancing efficiency and productivity across a wide range of vital sectors.
Why study the Graduate Certificate in AI Innovation with UNE?
UNE's Graduate Certificate in AI Innovation is the first of its kind, developed to meet the growing need for AI experts who have the practical business application and leadership skills needed to effectively use technical knowledge. Delivered in a fully online format, the course blends technical fluency with entrepreneurial thinking, ethical decision-making, and innovation strategy.
From roles in AI strategy and implementation to innovation leadership, you will graduate from this course equipped with the practical skills and strategic insight to design and deliver impactful AI-enabled solutions in real-world contexts.
We’re also highly rated—year after year, students award UNE 5-star ratings in The Good Universities Guide for Overall Experience and Student Support, so when you study with us, you know you are in good hands.
What makes our course different?
The Graduate Certificate in AI Innovation enables you to extend the technical potential of Generative AI through the application of theory to deliver real value in the real-world setting. When you study this course with us, you will have opportunities to:
- Develop flexible, transferable skillsets via an intensive curriculum that ensures you are not only industry-ready but also poised to become a pioneer in AI-driven innovation, capable of bringing AI-empowered change to any professional environment.
- Learn from the best. This course integrates market-leading knowledge from academic staff with real-world application from our experts-in-residence.
- Gain interdisciplinary expertise across business strategy, innovation, AI foundations, and ethics through units delivered by specialists in each field, equipping you with a comprehensive understanding of AI's multifaceted impact.
- Study flexibly. This course is offered online, part-time—allowing you to upskill at your pace, around your existing commitments.
Study online
Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together to build real world networks for the future.
* 24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.
Entry requirements
Select the option that best describes you.
This course is not currently available for this mode of study.
Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. Please read and familiarise yourself with the details of the policy. See our Glossary for help with university terms.
When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.
International applicants, please note: You may also need to show evidence of your English language proficiency to the Department of Home Affairs if you are applying for a Student Visa.
These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.
There are no mandatory intensive school requirements in this course.
If you are an international applicant who wants to study online (overseas or in Australia):
You will need to meet both the Academic and English Language Requirements to gain admission into this course. Meeting academic requirements means we review what you have already studied to see if you have the results needed for admission to your preferred course.
This course is offered under two admission rules.
Rule A: You have completed ONE of the following qualifications (or their overseas equivalents):
- Bachelor (AQF Level 7)
- Bachelor with Honours (AQF Level 8)
- Graduate Certificate (AQF Level 8)
- Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8)
- Masters (AQF Level 9)
- Doctorate (AQF Level 10).
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under standard entry. Please see the Course Structure (Program of Study).
Rule B: You have a minimum of five years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant professional experience.*
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule B. Please see the Course Structure (Program of Study).
* Relevant professional experience refers to a position of responsibility in any organisational or industry context within:
- Accounting
- Business
- Education
- Economics
- Finance
- Human Resources Management
- Internet and e-commerce
- IT educator
- Leadership
- Management
- Software development
- Systems analysis and design
- Systems management and administration.
Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. Please read and familiarise yourself with the details of the policy. See our Glossary for help with university terms.
When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.
International applicants, please note: You may also need to show evidence of your English language proficiency to the Department of Home Affairs if you are applying for a Student Visa.
These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.
There are no mandatory intensive school requirements in this course.
Online study in your own country
If you would like to study online with UNE while you reside outside of Australia you do not need a Student Visa. If your course requires you to visit Australia to attend any mandatory study requirements, you would need to explore Visitor Visa options for a short-term stay.
Online study in Australia
If you would like to study online with UNE while you are residing in Australia, you will need to hold a visa (other than a Student Visa) that allows you to study. If you are unsure if your visa allows you to study, you can check with UNE's International Admissions team. If you hold a Student Visa you cannot study completely online; you must be enrolled as an on-campus student (although you can study a limited number of online units).
Some courses require you to provide documentary evidence, or interviews to support your application. The following documents are required to support your application:
- If you are applying for admission under Rule A, you must provide a certified academic transcript of your completed qualification.
- If you are applying for admission under Rule B, you must provide a Statement of Service from your employer/s on company letterhead. Learn about our Statement of Service requirements.
- Proof of identity and citizenship. This can be a certified/notarised copy of the photo page of your passport, or another form of official photo identification that lists your full personal details including name and date of birth; for example, a foreign government identity card.
- Evidence of English Language Requirements satisfied. If you have completed a UNE-approved formal English test within the last two years, you must provide a copy of the test results with your application. Please see UNE’s English Language Requirements above for further information.
Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.
Individual Unit Advanced Standing
If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your Course Structure (Program of Study) within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.
- Bachelor (AQF Level 7)
- Bachelor with Honours (AQF Level 8)
- Graduate Certificate (AQF Level 8)
- Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8)
- Masters (AQF Level 9)
- Doctorate (AQF Level 10).
- Accounting
- Business
- Education
- Economics
- Finance
- Human Resources Management
- Internet and e-commerce
- IT educator
- Leadership
- Management
- Software development
- Systems analysis and design
- Systems management and administration.
Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. Please read and familiarise yourself with the details of the policy. See our Glossary for help with university terms.
These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.
When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.
There are no mandatory intensive school requirements in this course.
Some courses require you to provide documentary evidence, or interviews to support your application. The following documents are required to support your application:
- If you are applying for admission under Rule A, you must provide a certified academic transcript of your completed qualification.
- If you are applying for admission under Rule B, you must provide one of the following:
- A Statement of Service from your employer/s on company letterhead. Learn about our Statement of Service requirements.
- OR if you are a business owner, a Statutory Declaration outlining the requirements provided in the Statement of Service.
Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.
Individual Unit Advanced Standing
If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your Course Structure (Program of Study) within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.
Course structure
To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 24 credit points.
24 credit points
Complete the following unit- AI Strategy and Implementation for Business (BUS410) – 6 credit points
- Innovation in Business (BUS599) – 6 credit points
- Foundations of AI for Professionals (ICT412) – 6 credit points
- AI Law and Ethics for Professionals (LLM580) – 6 credit points
See UNE Handbook for more details. The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course plans, exit awards, intensive schools, and work placement requirements.
Fees and scholarships
Understanding Your Course Fees
Your total course fees are based on the number of units you complete, not the length of time you study. This gives you flexibility to tailor your study journey to suit your circumstances.
Here's how it works:
- Unit-based pricing - Each unit has its own fee. Visit our Fees and Costs section for detailed unit pricing information
- Advanced standing - If you're eligible for credit for previous study, you'll complete fewer units and pay less overall
- Study pace - Choose part-time or full-time study to fit your schedule without affecting unit costs
- Trimester 3 option - Students who choose to accelerate their progress by studying during Trimester 3 can do so without increasing overall costs
The table below shows estimated fees for a typical full-time year of study (48 credit points which typically equates to 8 units)
How much will it cost?
Estimated fees for your first year of study in this course are:
| Fee type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Full Fee (no government subsidy) | $8,688* |
| International | $15,240* |
| Commonwealth Supported Place (quotas apply) | $7,704* |
| Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time | $373 |
* Annual course fees only cover the cost of tuition. They do not include other expenses associated with university study such as text books, accommodation and living expenses. If you are successful in gaining admission to study at UNE, the Offer of Admission will list the exact tuition fees you need to pay for your course. Fees quoted cover full-time tuition for two full-time trimesters only. For more information, please see fees and costs.
What are the course fee payment options?
Full Fee places are mostly in postgraduate coursework degrees. In a full fee place you pay the tuition fee set for your course, however you may be eligible for a FEE-HELP Loan to defer payment of your fees until you are earning above the threshold.
If you are enrolled in a Full Fee place and there is a direct connection between your work and your study, you may be able to claim your tuition fees as a tax deduction.
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a government subsidised place in a university course. The government pays part of your tuition fees, and you pay the remainder.
If you have a CSP in either an undergraduate or postgraduate (coursework) degree, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP Loan, which allows you to defer payment of your fees until you are earning above the threshold.
UNE scholarships are open for all to apply and offer financial help while you are studying. There are scholarships for students with high academic achievement, from rural areas, studying specific degrees, in disadvantaged groups, experiencing financial hardship, who excel at sport or want to live in a UNE residential college.
UNE offers bursaries and scholarships that can help you with the costs of studying and living in Australia.
The UNE International Bursary reduces the published annual tuition fees for international students by up to 20%. These bursaries are available for international students commencing coursework studies at UNE in 2025. View detailed Bursary information.
UNE also offers a number of substantial research scholarships to postgraduate students studying research-based degrees.
Your career
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in AI Innovation can look forward to a wealth of exciting career opportunities across diverse sectors. From roles in AI strategy and implementation to innovation leadership, graduates will be equipped to drive transformative projects in business, healthcare, finance, and more. Positions within reach include:
- AI and IT consultant (specialising in systems design)
- Business and Systems Analyst
- Data scientists
- Digital Transformation Specialist
- Enterprise Architect
- Information Systems Designer
- Innovation managers
- Product managers
- Technology strategists.
This program empowers knowledge workers in traditional roles to harness AI for impactful changes in their workplaces, enhancing efficiency and productivity. The program’s curriculum ensures that you are not only industry-ready but also poised to become a pioneer in AI-driven innovation, capable of bringing AI-empowered change to any professional environment.
Course outcomes
- critically analyse and apply artificial intelligence concepts and technologies, with a focus on their strategic integration into business models, innovation processes, and enterprise transformation;
- evaluate the ethical, cultural, and social implications of AI development and deployment, and apply this understanding to design responsible, inclusive, and sustainable AI solutions;
- design and implement innovative, AI-driven solutions that address complex, real-world problems through the integration of business strategy, systems thinking, and digital innovation;
- demonstrate advanced communication and storytelling skills to convey complex AI concepts, innovations, and solutions persuasively to specialist and non-specialist stakeholders; and
- demonstrate leadership by applying innovation theory, entrepreneurial practices, and leadership skills to deliver high-impact AI initiatives.
- Knowledge of a Discipline
Graduates will demonstrate advanced, practice-informed knowledge of artificial intelligence, with the capability to lead innovation, design transformative AI solutions, and integrate them strategically within organisational contexts.
- Communication Skills
Graduates will convey complex AI concepts and strategies clearly and persuasively across diverse audiences, using digital tools and storytelling methods relevant to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Problem Solving
Graduates will critically evaluate and solve complex business and societal challenges through the strategic application of AI technologies and innovation methods.
- Information Literacy
Graduates will demonstrate agility in identifying, synthesising, and applying rapidly evolving AI knowledge and tools within real-world business and social innovation contexts.
- Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility
Graduates will design and implement AI solutions with a strong commitment to ethical practices, cultural inclusivity, data governance, and sustainable innovation.
- Lifelong Learning
Graduates will demonstrate the autonomy to pursue ongoing learning and skill renewal in AI as a dynamic and evolving field.
- Independence and Collaboration
Graduates will lead and demonstrate collaborative skills by navigating diverse viewpoints and leveraging collective creativity to innovate responsibly.
Excellence in experience, equity and employability
Five Stars,
20 Years in a Row
UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 20 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience.
Good Universities Guide 2007-2026
Five Stars for
Social Equity
UNE rates among the top 20% of universities nationally and is #1 in NSW for Social Equity.
Good Universities Guide 2026
Five Stars for
Graduate Employment
UNE rates among the top 20% of universities for Graduate Full-Time Employment and Starting Salary.
Good Universities Guide 2026 (Undergraduate)
Diamond-Rated Digital Learning
UNE’s leadership in digital learning earned the highest ‘Diamond’ rating in a peer review.
ASCILITE TELAS 2025
Studying online
At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.
We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*
*The Good Universities Guide
Excellence in experience, equity and employability
Five Stars,
20 Years in a Row
UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 20 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience.
Good Universities Guide 2007-2026 Five Stars for
Social Equity
UNE rates among the top 20% of universities nationally and is #1 in NSW for Social Equity.
Good Universities Guide 2026 Five Stars for
Graduate Employment
UNE rates among the top 20% of universities for Graduate Full-Time Employment and Starting Salary.
Good Universities Guide 2026 (Undergraduate) Diamond-Rated Digital Learning
UNE’s leadership in digital learning earned the highest ‘Diamond’ rating in a peer review.
ASCILITE TELAS 2025 Studying online
At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian University.
As an international student you can take advantage of flexible online study from overseas or while you are studying in Australia on a visa other than a student visa. You can’t study fully online on a Student Visa.
To study online from overseas you need to consider that you may need to travel to Australia to attend a UNE campus for some mandatory intensive schools.
Studying on Campus
Whether you are an undergraduate student coming to study in Australia for the first time, a PhD student coming to live here with your family, or you only need short-stay accommodation whilst in Armidale for Intensive Schools, we have the perfect accommodation option for you.
Stay connected
Join our mailing list for updates and helpful tips to support your study plans. You can unsubscribe at any time.
- •Course updates and important changes as they happen
- •Key dates for intakes, deadlines, and enrolment steps
- •Application guidance, including supporting documentation requirements
- •Next steps and what to expect after you apply or enquire
Ready to stay in the loop?
GET IN TOUCH
Why study with us?
I now have an additional structured body of knowledge that gives me certain skills. It was hard work; I was learning a new way of doing things, but I loved it.
How to apply
Preparing to apply
You should always provide the details of past or current studies in your application. You may also need to include documents to support your application.
The kind of documents you need will depend on:
- Your preferred course/s
- Your personal circumstances
Preparing to apply
You should always provide the details of past or current studies in your application. You may also need to include documents to support your application.
The kind of documents you need will depend on:
- Your preferred course/s
- Your personal circumstances
Important Dates
Different application methods and courses can have different closing dates. To find your correct application method click the Apply Now button below. Please check the appropriate application website for opening and closing dates.
If you are applying online direct to UNE please see below for application dates.
| Intake | Application Closing Date | Trimester Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | Not offered | Not offered |
| Trimester 2 | 23 June 2026 | 22 June 2026 |
| Trimester 3 | 20 October 2026 | 19 October 2026 |
