Course shaped by museum and heritage sector
Learn from leading researchers and field experts
Pathway into a masters degree
Why choose Deakin
Gain the foundational skills and knowledge to begin a career in the cultural heritage and museum sector or prepare for further postgraduate study with Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies. You will explore current theory and practice while building practical skills for work across museums, galleries, archives and heritage sites.
As cultural institutions become more accessible, interactive and digitally engaged, you will learn to think creatively, work independently and connect audiences with the past in meaningful ways. You will develop key knowledge in cultural heritage and museum studies, including museums, heritage and society, and museum practice. This degree is a strong starting point whether you are a recent graduate, current volunteer or career changer. It also provides a pathway to Deakin’s Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies.
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Nationally established expertise
Study in Australia’s largest and longest-running cultural heritage and museum studies program.
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Degrees shaped by employers
Learn through courses developed with industry, including Melbourne Museum, National Trust and Heritage Victoria.
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Flexible postgraduate study
Study online or at our Melbourne Burwood Campus, allowing this graduate certificate to fit around work and life.
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Clear progression pathway
This postgraduate degree provides a direct pathway to Deakin’s Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build foundational skills for careers in museums, galleries, archives and heritage organisations. You may caretake for collections, support public programs or coordinate projects, with a pathway to further postgraduate study.
Curator
Research, interpret and care for collections, contribute to exhibitions and public programs, and help audiences connect with cultural objects, histories and stories.
- $98k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 17.3%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Project officer
Coordinate museum and heritage projects, manage schedules and documentation, work with stakeholders and support the delivery of exhibitions, programs and collection-based initiatives.
- $100k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 4.2/5
Job satisfaction
Workplace settings
- Museums
- Heritage institutions
- Government agencies
- Private corporations
- Community organisations
- Private practice
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies?
Build postgraduate foundations in cultural heritage and museum studies. Explore key ideas and sector debates, applying them to managing, interpreting and communicating heritage in contemporary settings.
Professional foundations
Establish core heritage foundations
Explore how heritage is identified, cared for, managed and interpreted across collections, places and traditions, providing a strong base for contemporary professional practice.
Understand museums in society
Examine representation, identity, ethics, access and inclusion. Analyse how museums and heritage institutions shape public understanding of the past.
Tailor your study
Choose two electives to extend your learning in a focused area and, in some cases, add work-integrated learning to connect study with industry.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies, you must pass 4 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
What to expect while studying
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Investigate and evaluate conceptual and practical approaches to the identification, collection, conservation, display, interpretation, management and use of cultural heritage. |
| Effectively communicate key theoretical and practical concerns in cultural heritage and museum studies using oral, written, digital formats to specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Use a range of digital technologies and information sources relevant to the museum context to discover, select, analyse, employ, evaluate, and disseminate both technical and non-technical information. |
| Critically analyse key concepts in the identification, collection, conservation, display, interpretation, management of cultural heritage and employ this knowledge in a professional or scholarly context. |
| Apply advanced theoretical knowledge and technical skills in the identification, collection, conservation, display, interpretation, management and use of cultural heritage and develop solutions to real-world problems or issues in professional contexts. |
| Apply relevant professional standards with a high level of responsibility and accountability to colleagues and relevant stakeholders and a consistent commitment to continual professional development. |
| Work effectively and collaboratively, demonstrating advanced level of responsibility and accountability in diverse [museum and cultural heritage multidisciplinary] teams. |
| Analyse and address issues in the field of cultural heritage and museum studies in the domestic, regional and global context as a critically reflexive reflective practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and the application of the highest ethical standards. |
Approved at Faculty Board 2020
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- A568
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$14,100
- Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical enrolment of 4 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your tuition fees.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Applications for credit transfer will be considered depending on the quality and subject matter of the student's prior qualifications and professional experience.
The Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies and the Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies comprise a suite of fully articulated courses. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies allows for articulation into the Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies with up to 4cp of RPL. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies will lead to entry into the Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to: