Graduate Certificate of Educational Studies
Postgraduate
SWI-EDS-GCE 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
A step towards becoming a qualified primary teacher
Explore learning and development through the lens of primary school. This course serves as a springboard into education careers. You'll study how children behave in a classroom environment, and learning strategies for topics including art and maths.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Certificate of Educational Studies
About this degree
Coursework will cover theories of teaching, learning and development and give you an understanding of behaviour for classroom practice.
The Graduate Certificate of Educational Studies will cover theories of teaching, learning and development and give you an understanding of behaviour for classroom practice. This postgraduate non-teaching qualification opens up to you a range of career opportunities in the field of education.
It is also a pathway to become a qualified teacher. With this qualification and completion of a non-academic suitability test such as CASPer, you will be able transfer into a Master of Teaching (Primary). And units you have completed in the Graduate Certificate of Educational Studies will be credited towards your teaching degree.
Recommended study pattern
Core Units
Understanding Theories of Teaching, Learning and Development (EDU60017)
Understanding Behaviour for Classroom Practice (EDU60016)
Electives - choose two units from below:
Mathematics in Primary School (EDU70010)
Arts and Design Technology in Primary School (EDU80007)
Health and Physical Education in Primary School (EDU70008)
Humanities in Primary School (EDU70009)
Science in Primary School (EDU70011)
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Educational Studies, students must complete 50 credit points comprising:
- 2 educational foundation units (25 credit points)
- 2 educational discipline units (25 credit points)
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $12,880
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.
Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.
Learn more about Swinburne.
Explore Swinburne courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 19
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 14
How to apply
Swinburne University of Technology manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Swinburne University of Technology who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
To gain entry to this course, applicants must have completed a recognised undergraduate degree.
Courses are only available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and humanitarian visa holders.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.
Career opportunities
This postgraduate non-teaching qualification opens up to you a range of career opportunities in the field of education.
It is also a pathway to become a qualified teacher. With this qualification and completion of a non-academic suitability test such as CASPer, you will be able transfer into a Master of Teaching (Primary). And units you have completed in the Graduate Certificate of Educational Studies will be credited towards your teaching degree.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Primary School Teachers | $93K to $120K | Up 4.7% |