University of Canberra

Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 8 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Develop your leadership toolkit with contemporary frameworks and advanced people-first leadership approaches to guide your school community to reach their full potential.

Ready to take the next step?

Download your course guide and connect with a university advisor to explore:

  • Course structure
  • Learning outcomes
  • Fees
  • Entry requirements

By submitting this form, you acknowledge that Study Next will collect your personal information (including your name, phone number and email address) to respond to your enquiry. To learn more, refer to our privacy policy.

*All fields required

1 of 3

Course overview

Become a pillar of school and system success with the ability to understand and implement strategies to empower, support and encourage development in your staff and students, resulting in school and educational landscape improvement.

Gain a people-first leadership perspective, study 100% online and accelerated to fit around your life and work, gain a toolkit to respond to contemporary challenges in education, benefit from the STEM Education Research Centre’s (SERC) evidence-based methodologies aligned to ACARA curriculum needs, experience dedicated support at every stage and start anytime with intakes open every two months.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
8 months (Part time)
Price Per Unit
From $2,956.25
More Information
The estimated per-unit fee is calculated using the annual average first-year fee. It is based on a part-time study load of four units.
Intake
11th May, 2026
6th July, 2026
31st August, 2026
26th October, 2026
Units
4
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP

What you will study

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership Online comprises four units.

Complete the following four units:

  • Education Leadership and Change
  • Leading, Learning, Teaching and Curriculum
  • Leading and Developing Educators
  • Educational Management and Administration

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership, applicants must have one of the following:

  • Current registration as a teacher at a proficient level or higher with an Australian regulatory authority/registration authority.
  • A three-year undergraduate degree in Education or a relevant field as approved by the University of Canberra and at least three years' FTE professional experience in education.
  • Graduate and/or postgraduate education qualifications as approved by the University of Canberra.

English language requirements

You can demonstrate your proficiency in a number of ways, including through an approved English language test or recognised past study taught and assessed in English.

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership requires an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 6.5, with no band score below 6.0.

Contact the university or visit its website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your postgraduate studies, provided that they meet the relevant course requirements.

If you receive an offer of enrolment and you’ve undertaken prior learning, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. The procedure is governed by the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy. Contact the university for more details.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership is designed for existing education professionals looking to develop leadership and management skills and gain the credibility to apply for more senior positions in the education sector. Career outcomes may include roles such as:

  • Curriculum coordinator or specialist
  • Deputy principal
  • Early childhood director
  • Education assessment specialist
  • Educational policy developer
  • Executive principal
  • Executive teacher
  • Head of department or faculty
  • Instructional leader
  • Principal
  • School leader
  • School policy adviser or developer
  • Student wellbeing manager
  • Year adviser

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative cost per unit in 2026: $2,956.25 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative total cost in 2026: $11,825 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of four units.

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of units studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.