Key facts
Domestic students course information. This course is currently not available to international students.
Entry is based on a bachelor qualification or satisfying the School of relevant qualifications and workplace experience.
View full entry requirements- 0.5 years full-time
- 2 years part-time
| Start Dates and Campus | Trimester 1 – February 2026 | Trimester 2 – June 2026 | Trimester 3 – October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Armidale Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
| Sydney Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
Course information
Download course brochure
Adapt to an evolving workplace and open the door to new career opportunities with UNE's Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice. Whether you want to create more career choices, hone your specialist skills, or take a new career direction, we will work with you to customise a course to match your skills and aspirations.
Choose from a full breadth of subjects. Avoid getting bogged down in a lengthy, traditional course, and instead, play to your natural strengths, refine your skills and draw on your experience to prepare for the future. And do it all with the support of an expert academic success advisor with 1:1 guidance from start to finish.
Why study the Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice with UNE?
The need for a tailored qualification, specifically designed for career change and adaptability, has never been more vital in today's evolving work environment. Now more than ever, professionals will need to rethink their skills, respond to changes and closely align their natural strengths to new professional opportunities. That's where the UNE Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice comes in.
Unlike traditional university courses, this short and flexible qualification allows you to design your own bespoke course—in your own timeframe—based on your skills and knowledge. With the help of your expert academic success advisor, you will cherry-pick from a breadth of subjects to match your precise career development needs for any stage of your journey, whether you want to upskill, reskill, pivot, specialise, or even change careers.
At UNE, we don't just help you design a bespoke qualification that enhances your career options, we make it a course you'll love to study. You will learn in a way that enhances your contemporary skills while keeping options open and flexible. Our certificate has the power and versatility to respond to your natural interests, skills and experience with 1:1 guidance, every step of the way.
We are leaders in the provision of online learning for aspiring and qualified professionals. Our supportive, streamlined online environment makes it easier for you to learn in a style and timeframe that suits your lifestyle. Year after year, students award UNE the maximum 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support in The Good Universities Guide.
What makes our course different?
Prepare for the next stage in your career easily with a unique course structure built from a customised learning roadmap—designed to enrich your skills and opportunities in any industry. In this course you will:
- Get recognition for the knowledge you've gained in your professional life so far, combined with units for new skills you need now and in the future.
- Freedom to assemble units from across UNE's subject areas into your own unique course. Choose from one discipline or mix-and-match and select different levels of learning.
- Get your experience reflected in a compelling professional portfolio to showcase your capabilities to future employers.
- Enhance your critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence and communication skills to gain a competitive advantage in the workplace, or even step into a new career.
- Work at your own pace.
- Open the door to further study. Our Graduate Diploma in Professional Practice is available to continue to extend your knowledge and expertise.
UNE staff only: Admission under Rule C of this course provides you with the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in contemporary pedagogy and best practice in teaching and learning.
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 at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.
* 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
This course is offered under two admission rules.
Rule A: You have a Bachelor qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) or above in any discipline.
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule A. Please see the Rule A Course Structure (Program of Study).
Rule B: You can satisfy the School that you are adequately prepared to study this course by demonstration of other relevant qualifications and workplace experience, which are considered equivalent to a Bachelor qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) or above.
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule B. Please see the Rule B Course Structure (Program of Study).
Rule C: You are a University of New England (UNE) staff member and can meet ONE of the following entry requirements:
- You have completed a Bachelor qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) or above in any discipline
OR
- You can satisfy the School that you are adequately prepared to study this course by demonstration of other relevant qualifications and workplace experience, which are considered equivalent to a Bachelor qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) or above.
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule C. Please see the Rule C Course Structure (Program 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.
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.
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 resume and a Statement of Service from your employer/s on company letterhead. Learn about our Statement of Service requirements. You may also provide any other documentation which demonstrates continual professional learning, such as short courses.
- If you are applying for admission under Rule C, you must provide a letter of support from your direct line manager at UNE and certified academic transcript of your completed qualification or a Statement of Service from your employer/s on company letterhead. Learn about our Statement of Service requirements. You may also provide any other documentation which demonstrates continual professional learning, such as short courses.
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.
Please note: The maximum amount of Advanced Standing which can be granted towards this course is 12 credit points. Advanced Standing can only be granted for formal learning and cannot come from units studied within the qualification you used for admission.
Course structure
To qualify for the award, a candidate must pass units to the value of 24 credit points, including a minimum of 18 credit points at 400 level or above.
12 credit points
For students admitted under Rule A and Rule B12 credit points
Complete the following unit:- Developing Your Professional Practice B (DYPP500B) – 12 credit points
12 credit points
Complete 12 credit points approved by the Course Coordinator, including at least 6 credit points at 400 level.24 credit points
For UNE staff admitted under Rule C24 credit points
Complete the following units:- Foundations of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (ADHE401) – 6 credit points
- Designing for Learning in Higher Education (ADHE402) – 6 credit points
- Quality Assessment and Feedback in Higher Education (ADHE403) – 6 credit points
- Academic Quality in Higher Education (ADHE404) – 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) | $14,280* |
| Commonwealth Supported Place | $8,117* |
| Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time | $373 |
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.
Your career
Being a highly tailored course, you will graduate with many career opportunities that are specific to your background and direction. Upon completion of the course and depending on your aspirations, you will have the skills to:
- move forward in your career
- pursue a new area of work
- become a specialist
- take your career in a new direction.
Students will graduate with a university postgraduate award that complies with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and is eligible for FEE-HELP.
Course outcomes
- curate a compelling professional identity and philosophy, and demonstrate the ability to critically communicate this to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;
- demonstrate professional leadership capabilities, identify professional opportunities or challenges and devise strategies to respond or resolve using an evidence-based approach;
- model specialist knowledge, research and communication skills that contribute to life-long application in their professional career; and
- apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement and responsibility in conducting, reporting and reflecting on professional practice.
- Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of a discipline is taught in the Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice. Through guided contact with their academic concierge, students will complete units that constitute meaningful and valuable learning for them. This may involve selecting units from just one discipline for a deep course experience or up to two disciplines if they require a broader, inter-disciplinary curriculum.
- Communication Skills
Communication skills are taught, practised and assessed throughout this course. Students will utilise advanced cognitive and communication skills, tools and digital technologies to communicate appropriately and persuasively with a range of stakeholders. Students will develop oral, written and presentation skills relevant to professional contexts through assessments such as portfolio building.
- Problem Solving
This graduate attribute is taught, practised and assessed throughout the course using scenarios requiring students to use advanced cognitive and critical thinking skills to identify professional issues, and to critically analyse and evaluate the relevant theories and concepts to construct professional solutions.
- Information Literacy
Information literacy is taught, practised and assessed throughout the course as students need to identify, critically evaluate and synthesise relevant information drawn from a range of sources in order to analyse complex professional-related issues.
- Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility
Throughout the course, ethical conduct and social responsibility is taught, practised and assessed. Students need to reflect on the principles of professional and social responsibility and critically apply these to a range of ethical issues and scenarios.
- Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning is taught and assessed in this course through reflective tasks that encourage critical analysis of professional experience, and appreciated of professional practice as a dynamic discipline.
- Independence and Collaboration
Students function as individual professionals throughout the duration of the course, but also develop collaborative skills through interaction with both other students and the academic concierge, and demonstrate this in assessment contexts such as a professional portfolio.
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
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Why study with us?
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice was exactly what I wanted to do; it allowed me to leverage off the expertise I already had and exposed me to knowledge in new areas.
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
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 | 24 February 2026 | 23 February 2026 |
| Trimester 2 | 23 June 2026 | 22 June 2026 |
| Trimester 3 | 9 October 2026 | 19 October 2026 |
