Key facts
Duration
1-1.5 years part-time or equivalent
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Help to shape the future of innovation in education through Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Education Research. In this course you’ll deep-dive on an education topic of your choice and develop specialist knowledge that could help improve the education sector or your learning institution, while advancing your career.
Are you ready to develop specialist knowledge that will advance your career?
In this qualification, you’ll develop a foundational knowledge of research theories, methodologies, design, and ethics and conduct. Then, under the supervision of experienced academic staff, you’ll identify an issue of your choice and design a guided research project or paper to explore it.
Choose to delve into topics of curriculum, pedagogy, leadership or more, and benefit from access to industry thought leaders.
Research skills are highly valued in education and necessary to obtain high-level professional roles, as per the Australian Professional Standards for Principals and Teachers. As a leading research university, Deakin is focused on ensuring the knowledge it generates is future-focused and holistic, meaning you’ll be guided to think expansively about what your research explores and its contributions. The research you generate in this course can also be used as a pathway to a PhD.
Additionally, the course is offered exclusively via Deakin’s premium online learning platform, meaning you can further your knowledge and career possibilities as you work.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Education Research
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- E590
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Course structure
Students must complete 4 credit points of core units and
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
Online
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Entry requirements
Entry information
Attainment of a Bachelor degree or higher in the field of Education;
OR
Attainment of a Bachelor degree or higher in any discipline PLUS three years relevant work experience.
IELTS / English language requirements
Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.
It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that she/he has the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)
Selection Criteria
If undergraduate degree has been attained within last 10 years with a WAM or equivalent of 70% or above (submission of transcript required).
If undergraduate degree has been attained within last 10 years with a WAM or equivalent of less than 70% (submission of transcript and personal statement* required)
If undergraduate degree has been attained more than 10 years ago (submission of transcript and personal statement* required)
*Personal statement for the GCEdRes should include i) name; ii) highest qualification and year attained; and in less than 500 words address: iii) potential area of research interest; and iv) a statement addressing any of the following categories:
- Use of research/data in the context of working within the teaching profession or relevant professional experience
- Engagement in research in the field of education (e.g. leading a reading research group; conducting action research)
- Evidence of professional writing capacity
- Leadership experience in education and training that links to research activity (e.g. leading or managing change in organisation systematically; strategically leading or managing reflective practice of staff in an organisation/ organisational unit)
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year in which they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about tuition fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Research Information
The four unit sequence comprises two research training units which provide foundational specialist research training knowledge; and two units wherein a guided research project in a specialist area is undertaken with assistance from an academic supervisor.
Entry pathways
Result of 60-69 marks in EDX704 Research Paper B is a pathway to Master of Education (Research) with opportunity to upgrade to a PhD at Colloquium.
Result of 70+ marks in EDX704 Research Paper B is a pathway to a PhD.
Career outcomes
As a graduate of this course, you’ll be equipped with refined research skills and a deeper knowledge of the educational context in which you work. You’ll be able to apply your knowledge in a range of education and higher education contexts and roles, including:
- school principal
- head of learning
- head of curriculum.
If you want to continue advancing your professional development and conducting further research, this course can also be used as a pathway to a PhD.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate specialist knowledge of contemporary research methodologies and traditions; apply this knowledge to the critique and conduct of research in a range of education contexts. |
Communication | Employ a range of oral and written communication strategies required of professional educators and learning professionals to be able to critique and conduct research in professional and scholarly contexts. |
Digital literacy | Apply advanced digital skills to select appropriate digital technologies to research, analyse, report, evaluate and communicate within education research contexts. |
Critical thinking | Demonstrate specialist skills in critical analysis and synthesis of complex ideas in education research contexts. |
Problem solving | Analyse critically issues and problems in education research contexts and generate approaches to examine them appropriately |
Self-management | Apply the knowledge and skills required of professional educators and learning professionals to demonstrate autonomy, judgement, adaptability and ethical behaviours and responsibility in education research contexts. |
Approved by Faculty Board August 2017 |