What is a graduate diploma?

A graduate diploma is a 1-2 year postgraduate course you can study as a pathway to – or an early exit point of – a full master degree.

A Swinburne graduate diploma equips you with professional workplace skills, specialist knowledge in your chosen discipline, plus, advanced analytical thinking. You’ll benefit from real industry experience, with practical placements or co-created projects built into every course.

Graduate diplomas sit at level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

How long does it take to complete a graduate diploma?

A graduate diploma comprises eight core units of study. Most graduates complete their studies in 1-2 years.
 

What's the difference between a graduate diploma and a graduate certificate?

The fundamental difference between a graduate diploma and a graduate certificate is how long they take to complete.

  • Graduate certificates take 4 units of study over 6 to 12 months.
  • A graduate diploma requires 8 units of study over 1 to 2 years.

What's the difference between a Graduate Diploma and Diploma?

A Graduate Diploma is an advanced, postgraduate qualification that provides the opportunity for further postgraduate study. Entry requires a bachelor degree, or extensive, relevant work experience. Whereas, TAFE Diplomas and Unilink Diplomas provide practical training with a focus on knowledge that can be applied in the workplace. Diplomas may also offer a pathway into a bachelor degree.

Browse graduate diploma courses

Why study with Swinburne?

Rated #1 by our postgraduate students for teaching quality, skills development, and more

Our postgraduates are paid more than their peers nine years on from graduation

You’ll get experience while you study thanks to our Work Integrated Learning

Sources

Popular graduate diploma courses

Swinburne courses create next gen leaders

Immerse yourself in Swinburne’s world-class, digitally-connected student experience and graduate with practical, highly marketable skills valued by employers. In just 1-2 years, you’ll graduate job-ready with skills you can immediately apply in the workplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

While entry into a graduate diploma with industry experience and no formal qualification is possible, entry into most graduate diploma courses require a minimum of a bachelor degree. 

Entry requirements are detailed on every course page.

Yes, a graduate diploma provides a direct pathway into a Master degree. We recommend consulting the entry requirements for your course before applying. Entry requirements are detailed on every course page.

Fees for graduate diplomas vary based on the individual course. Fees can be found under Fees and Scholarships on each course page, or you can browse all indicative course fees.

Yes, FEE-HELP is available to local students, permanent humanitarian visa  holders, New Zealand Special Category visa holders and overseas trained professionals undertaking bridging study. Eligibility criteria applies. 

There is no financial assistance or loans available to international students. If you’re a continuing international student and experience financial hardship, you can apply for a fee extension.

See more on fees for international students

Yes. There are a number of postgraduate scholarships you can apply for. If you’re an international student, you will automatically be considered for an international student scholarship, you can also apply for general scholarships.

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