University of New South Wales
Graduate Certificate in Social Impact
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 8 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Learn how business, social enterprise, government, foundations and community organisations can work together to create a values-led economy.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Social Impact is designed for the next generation of highly skilled leaders from across sectors – not-for-profit, government, for-profit, large, and small – with a desire to drive positive social change.
The program focuses on building professional capacity in how managers and entrepreneurs lead, organise, innovate, finance, scale, change and transition organisations to deliver greater social impact.
With interest growing in the concept of a social license to operate (SLO), you will explore how corporates can operate at the intersection of profit and purpose by incorporating social impacts into their strategies.
You will enhance your understanding of the powerful dynamics of the new social economy with its goal of transforming existing economic models to address a range of societal challenges.
In this respect, you will acquire knowledge of the latest global trends in economic thinking and practice and how these can propel a just transition towards a sustainable and inclusive economy.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
14th September, 2026
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact, students must complete four courses.
Core course
Complete the following:
- Social Impact
Electives
Choose three of the following:
- Leading Change for Sustainability
- Social Impact Investment
- Demonstrating Social Impact
- Design for Social Innovation
- Social Impact Field Project
- Corporate Responsibility and Accountability
- Creating Shared Value
- Collaboration for Social Impact
- Leadership for Social Impact
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Applicants must have one of the following:
- A recognised bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) with a credit average as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Calculator, and a minimum of two years of work experience.
- A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in government, corporate or not-for-profit sector.
Students must provide a detailed resume (outlining relevant competencies and achievements) and evidence of other academic and professional qualifications.
English language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets our requirements. Contact the university for further information. If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application.
You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses.
- Prior study in the medium of English.
- Other qualifications.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
- Executive roles in not-for-profit and community organisations.
- Public sector managers and leaders.
- Social policy managers in the corporate sector.
- Social entrepreneurs.
- Foundation executives and managers.
- Business executives and administrators.
- Corporate community engagement executives and professionals.
- Social and ethical investment professionals.
Learning outcomes
- Knowledge: Graduates will have current social impact disciplinary or interdisciplinary knowledge applicable in local and global contexts.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving: Graduates will have critical thinking and problem-solving skills applicable to the field of social impact practice or complex social impact issues.
- Communication: Graduates will be highly effective communicators in complex social environments.
- Leadership: Graduates will have a sound understanding of effective social impact leadership across and within complex contexts.
- Teamwork: Graduates will be effective team participants working collaboratively across diverse social impact contexts.
- Ethical, social and environmental responsibility: Graduates will be aware of the ethical, social, cultural and environmental implications of social impact organisations, practices and issues.
Fees and CSP
Indicative CSP first-year fee in 2026: $9,000 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative first-year full fee in 2026: $21,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 24 units of credit (normally four courses) per semester or year.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- 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.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.