Graduate Certificate of Construction Management

#1 Victorian university for facilities and resources 

I am a domestic student ?Domestic students are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens.
Domestic International
I am a domestic student ?Domestic students are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens.
Domestic International

Check the entry requirements below to confirm your eligibility for this course, including academic qualifications and English language requirements.

View entry requirements

Check the entry requirements below to confirm your eligibility for this course, including academic qualifications and English language requirements.

View entry requirements
Campus
  • Waterfront
  • Online
Duration 1 year part-time
Intakes Trimesters 1, 2, 3 View how to apply
Fees Commonwealth Support Places (CSP) available View fees and scholarships

#1 Victorian university for facilities and resources

$160,000 average construction manager salary

Top 200 globally for architecture and built environment

Why choose construction management at Deakin

Explore the theory and practice of construction management and gain a fundamental understanding of the construction industry and construction projects. Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Construction Management is designed for graduates from related built environment disciplines looking to extend their knowledge and transition into the construction industry. You will graduate with the knowledge to commence a professional career in the management and procurement of built facilities. 

This degree is also suitable for graduates from non-related disciplines who have demonstrable professional experience in construction, through public or private enterprises, wanting to formalise their entry into the construction management profession. You will work in a multidisciplinary context to gain knowledge of construction management, procurement, measurement and estimating, and building information modelling.

  • Skills employers want

    Graduate with broad skills in construction, management and planning that align with demand across the built environment sector.

  • Courses designed with industry input

    Learn contemporary construction management practices that align to current industry needs.

  • Practical learning focus

    Build practical capability through learning experiences that reflect real construction and property challenges.

  • Flexible postgraduate study

    Flexible delivery lets you fit study around work, with the option to progress from a graduate certificate to a graduate diploma and masters degree.

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.

A smiling postgraduate student walks down stairs on the Burwood campus.

Get more from postgraduate study at Deakin

Learn from industry experts, build valuable professional connections and develop the expertise to progress your career or take it in a new direction.

Deakin puts employability first

Career outcomes

Build foundational construction management skills and prepare to take your first step into the industry. Develop practical knowledge across project delivery, procurement, estimating and building information modelling, with flexible study designed to help you transition into construction management.

Construction manager

Plan, coordinate and oversee construction projects from start to finish. Manage budgets, schedules, contractors and resources while helping ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to required standards.

  • $185k

    Typical salary in Australia

  • 4.3/5

    Job satisfaction in Australia

Quantity surveyor

Manage the financial and contractual aspects of construction projects. Estimate costs, prepare budgets and monitor expenses to help deliver projects efficiently while balancing quality, resources and financial requirements.

  • $110k

    Typical salary in Australia

  • 4.3/5

    Job satisfaction in Australia

Other jobs

  • Construction management professional
  • Construction estimator
  • Procurement professional
  • Building information modelling professional
  • Construction consultant

Key dates

Direct applications

Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026

Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027

FAQs

Find answers to the most common questions about this course.

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 Construction Management?

This one-year introductory course gives you foundational knowledge in construction management and project delivery. Quickly build relevant skills for the construction industry.

Build foundational knowledge

Learn construction fundamentals

Explore key concepts in project delivery, planning and construction processes.

Develop practical awareness

Gain insight into how construction projects are managed.

Build career-ready skills

Strengthen communication and problem-solving skills for construction environments.

This learning journey is intended as a guide only. Individual study journeys may vary.

Course structure

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Construction Management, you must pass 4 credit points.

Most units are equal to one credit point.

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

You are required to complete four core units (these are essential units for this degree).

In your first trimester you must also complete three 0-credit point units which are compulsory for this degree.

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)
Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points)
Introduction to Construction Management #
Principles of Building Information Modelling
Construction Procurement, Law and Contract Administration
Construction Measurement and Estimating

# Must have successfully completed STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit-point compulsory unit)

Deakin student smiling and holding a bag, dressed in business wear.

What to expect while studying

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.

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

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.

Explore important dates

Campus
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
WaterfrontGeelong
Online

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin Online course offering.

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
Develop and demonstrate a complex body of knowledge of construction management, estimating, procurement and Building Information Management practices in order to engage in construction projects.
Communicate clearly, professionally and responsibly with specialist and non-specialist audiences in a variety of contexts using oral, written, graphical and interpersonal skills to inform and contribute within a project team.
Apply knowledge of relevant technical tools and methodologies to locate, collect, analyse and synthesise complex information from a variety of sources to prepare estimates and procurement strategies for construction projects. Use digital technologies, including information systems to evaluate and assess modelling and scenario building.
Use reasoning and analysis skills, drawing on knowledge and information from a range of professional or scholarly sources to reflect on, analyse and synthesise cost and construction industry influences to contribute towards making decisions in construction.
Demonstrate some autonomy and judgement to contribute towards the generation of strategies and solutions at various stages including planning, implementing, construction and evaluation of the built environment.
Engage ethically and professionally when working in a variety of construction management situations both nationally and globally.
Award granted
Graduate Certificate of Construction Management
Year

2027 course information

Deakin code
S591
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

Your academic history, work and life experience, and individual circumstances will be considered. Meeting the minimum academic and English language requirements does not guarantee admission, but alternative pathways may be available.

Entry requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline
  • completion of a bachelor's degree or higher in any discipline and at least 1 year of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
  • at least 3 years of relevant professional work experience (or part-time equivalent).

Examples of related disciplines include, but not limited to: architecture, building, civil engineering, property, quantity surveying, building surveying and construction management.

Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: architect, building designer, civil engineer, construction site/project manager, estimator, quantity surveyor, contract administrator, building inspector, building surveyor, property consultant.

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

Get credit for your experience

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.

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

Fees

Estimated tuition fee

$4,940

- Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

The estimated tuition (student contribution) 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 student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.

Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.

Two Deakin students walking outside.

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.

Browse scholarships

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 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026

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.

Apply through Deakin

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.

Pathways

Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate of Construction Management you could use the credit points you’ve earned to enter into further study, including: