Graduate Certificate in Digital Learning
Postgraduate
UNE-ELN-GCE 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Help learners to learn via digital teaching methods
Evaluate and apply theories of teaching to understand the ethical, legal and social issues of e-learning. Explore strategies that use e-learning tools to address the needs of virtual learners. Suited to trainers, consultants and educators
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 16 Feb 2025,
- 15 June 2025,
- 12 Oct 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year part time
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Certificate in Digital Learning
About this degree
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- demonstrate specialised and applied knowledge of an elearning environment;
- investigate, critically evaluate and apply theories of learning and teaching in an elearning environment;
- critically analyse learner needs and design, manage and evaluate elearning environments and demonstrate a range of strategies that use elearning tools to address specific learner needs;
- understand ethical, legal and social issues of elearning, and identify and apply strategies that address these issues; and
- interpret and apply research findings to practice.
The course has been designed to meet the needs of all involved in the area of web-based teaching and learning, including teachers, education officers and training and development personnel, across all professions. The course content and experiences are developed within the context of each individual's specific needs and circumstances, providing advanced knowledge and skills in digital and web-based teaching and learning. This course is delivered fully online and involves a range of individual and collaborative learning activities. Assessment includes opportunities to tailor requirements to individual needs.
Please Note: This program can only be studied part time.
Recommended study pattern
Completion of the following subjects:
- EDIT513 - Inclusion and Access in Online Spaces
- EDIT425 - Emerging Trends in Pedagogy and Practice
- EDIT426 - Introduction to Learning with Technology
- EDIT521 - Designing Effective Learning Experiences with Technology
To access the course rules and plans go to the UNE Course Handbook.
Award requirements
To qualify for the award a candidate must pass the following subjects comprising:
- EDIT513 - Inclusion and Access in Online Spaces
- EDIT425 - Emerging Trends in Pedagogy and Practice
- EDIT426 - Introduction to Learning with Technology
- EDIT521 - Designing Effective Learning Experiences with Technology
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Students must contact UNE with their intent to graduate.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
2025 Changes
- EDIT415 Leadership in Educational Technology is being retired and removed from the program.
- EDIT513 Inclusion and Access in Online Spaces is being added.
Students who have completed EDIT415 instead of EDIT513, will have it counted toward their degree.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $11,676
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
The University of New England is the only Australian public university to be awarded the maximum 5 stars for Overall Experience by the Good Universities Guide, 13 years in a row. UNE has delivered distance education since 1955—that’s longer than any other Australian university. Perhaps that’s why students continue to rate UNE so highly for student satisfaction and teaching quality. With over 170 degrees offered online, and more than 22,000 students, UNE is an expert in online education.
Learn more about UNE.
Explore UNE courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 36
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
(a) hold a three or four year AQF Level 7 pre-service teaching qualification of a recognised University or tertiary institution; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree and a one or two year AQF Level 8 or 9 pre-service teaching qualification of a recognised University; or
(c) hold an AQF Level 7 three year degree of a University approved by UNE.
(d) satisfy UNE by means of a relevant minimum AQF Level 5 qualification* plus 5 years of relevant work experience** OR non-relevant AQF Level 5* plus 7 years of relevant work experience**
*Relevant Level 5 and above qualifications approved by UNE include, but are not limited to:
eLearning/Digital Learning
Information and Communication Technologies
Programming
Vocational Education
Web Development
**Relevant work experience must be supported by documentary evidence of a Statement of Service and includes, but is not limited to:
Adult Education
Educational Design and Development
Organisational Development
Technical Communication
Vocational Education and Training
Workplace Training and AssessmentYou will need to provide a Statement of Service from your employer/s on company letterhead. Your Statement of Service will require the following information:
- confirmation of your role and responsibilities
- the tasks and duties in your role (eg Roles in Adult Education, eLearning, Educational Design and Development)
- length of employment, including start and end dates
- the number of hours worked per week such as full-time or part-time (eg 20 hours per week)
- referee must NOT be relatives, personal friends or people you supervise
- if you are self-employed you must supply a copy of your business certificate of registration and a letter from your accountant or solicitor on their official letterhead stating: length of continuous engaged business and the nature of the business
Personal references that do not state these items cannot be assessed. Group Certificates, offers of employment, payslips, resume or CV will not be accepted.
GENERAL
(5)When an IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) score is used to demonstrate English proficiency, that score must have been attained within two years of the date of application for admission.
STANDARD MINIMUM ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
(6)At least one of the following criteria must be met:
- English is the applicant's first language; or
- Satisfactory completion, within five years of the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least one year of full-time or equivalent full-time study at senior secondary, post-secondary or tertiary level in a country in which English is the primary official language or co-official language and in which English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular period of study claimed, resulting in an AQF award or an award recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or
- A pass grade or better in an English language subject at Australian Year 12 level or overseas equivalent; or
- An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.0 with no sub-band less than 5.5; or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 213 in the computer-based test; or at least 79 in the internet-based test with no less than 22 in the written component; or a PTE Academic minimum overall score of 57 with no skill less than 50; or
- Satisfactory completion of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program:
- at the University of New England English Language Centre; or
- an equivalent EAP program at an Australian university NEAS-accredited English Language Centre (subject to certification from the university concerned that satisfactory completion of that university's EAP program would entitle the applicant to be accepted into a comparable award-bearing program at that university); or
- at a non-university NEAS-accredited English Language Provider that has a formal agreement with UNE under which it provides an equivalent EAP Program; or
- a NEAS-accredited TAFE NSW EAP Program.
More detailed information regarding these requirements can be viewed at: English Language Requirements
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 following additional requirements:
- You can apply for a maximum of 12 credit points of Advanced Standing based on units which have been counted towards another postgraduate qualifications at UNE or another university.
- You can apply for a maximum of 12 credit points of Advanced Standing based on units which have not been counted towards another postgraduate qualification at another university.
- There is no maximum amount of Advanced Standing you can apply for based on units which have not counted towards another postgraduate qualification at UNE.
Career opportunities
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Training and Development Professionals | $93K to $120K | Up 28.2% |
Vocational Education Teachers | $75K to $93K | Up 3.7% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.