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Book case of vintage books

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.

Location
St Lucia
Duration
Half Year (or part time equivalent)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025), Semester 2 (28 Jul, 2025)
Program Code
5364
AQF
Level 8
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$21600
Duration
Half Year
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025), Semester 2 (28 Jul, 2025)
Semester dates for 2026 are yet to be confirmed
Program Code
5364
CRICOS Code
065330M
AQF
Level 8

Program highlights

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.

1 in Queensland for social policy and administration

QS World University Rankings 2024

1 in Queensland for politics

QS World University Rankings 2024

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

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.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
  • 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.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

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

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.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

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.

Learn more about student visas

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.

$14,000

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

$14,000

2025

Learn more about postgraduate fees

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

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

AUD $21,600

2025

Learn more about postgraduate fees

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.

Learn more about financial aid

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.

Learn more about FEE-HELP

Centrelink support

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

How to apply

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.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

Explore other programs

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Graduate Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution

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Graduate Certificate in Tourism, Hotel and Event Management

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Graduate Certificate in International Relations

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Half Year full-timeHalf Year full-time
(or part time equivalent)

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