Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Policy
Overview
Boost your career potential and gain an advanced understanding of 21st century governance and public policy.
UQ brings world-class scholars, policy practitioners and cutting-edge researchers together to deliver a first-class learning experience for those looking to develop a career in governance and policy.
Housed in the Graduate Centre in Governance and International Affairs within UQ’s School of Political Science and International Studies, the half year full-time (or part-time equivalent) Graduate Certificate program aims to take your student experience to a new level and boost your quality and employability as a future leader.
As a student, you'll undertake high-level coursework to gain practical knowledge and research skills, and a critical, inquiring approach to questions of governance and policy development in the modern world.
You'll gain a deeper understanding of how governments operate and the major public issues confronting our society, across areas such as community and international policy, governance and development, and resource management.
As a graduate, you'll be equipped with a transferable skill-set allowing you to meaningfully address key policy issues and improve policy outcomes in both the public and private sectors.
Program highlights
- Interact with world-class scholars and policy practitioners, and work closely with top-rated researchers in the field.
- Be exposed to leading thinkers in the public, private and community sectors on a regular basis.
- Study with students from a range of different backgrounds and countries in a genuinely multicultural classroom, giving you a global perspective.
- Be supported through your study in the Graduate Centre Mentorship program.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Overseas study
- Research experience
- Seminars
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Writing Politics
- Foundations in Public Policy
- Dynamics of Governance
- Law, Policy and Governance
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Think tank adviser
- Policy research institute member
- Not-for-profit manager
- Environmental adviser
- Ministerial team member
- Diplomatic corps official
- Public policy adviser
- International law practitioner
- Global health and development adviser
- Social justice advocate
I have incorporated my key learnings into various roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Queensland Department of Education and Training and Queensland Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.
I have incorporated my key learnings into various roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Queensland Department of Education and Training and Queensland Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.
Events
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13 January - 13 January
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry, you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
- to have completed post-secondary studies and have 2 years of full-time equivalent relevant work experience in a public policy organisation (see below). Applications on the basis of post-secondary study and/or work experience will be individually assessed.
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
- to have completed post-secondary studies and have 2 years of full-time equivalent relevant work experience in a public policy organisation (see below). Applications on the basis of post-secondary study and/or work experience will be individually assessed.
Relevant work experience
Relevant work experience includes work in:
- the planning, management and implementation of policies or programs at any level of governmental agencies - local, state, national or international, and
- program delivery or project management in non-government and community organisations, and
- research, evaluation, building organisational capabilities, and service delivery.
This work experience should demonstrate analytical and writing skills.
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Policy are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (8 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$14,720
2025
$14,720
2025
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (8 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $21,600
2025
AUD $21,600
2025
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
FEE-HELP
Domestic students who are accepted into the Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Policy pay tuition fees.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Policy is 5364.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Policy is 5364.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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