#2 in Australia for education and educational research*
#11 in the world for education and educational research*
Top 1% of universities for global research impact*
Key facts
Duration
1 year part-time or equivalent
Note: It is recommended to be completed over four trimesters
Locations
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2025 close 22 June 2025
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2025 close 26 October 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate of Education Research provides a grounding in education research theories, methodologies, design, ethics and conduct for those who have gained an Education related qualification, or a Bachelor degree or higher in any discipline PLUS three years relevant work experience but are ineligible for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Participants design and conduct a guided research project and develop a Research Paper.
Graduates will develop knowledge and skills in:
- identification of an issue in education and design of a related research study
- evaluation of research in education through understanding a range of research theories and methodologies
- conduct of a guided education research project
- engagement with a community of education researchers through knowledge exchange
- creation of shareable products that adhere to the conventions of research including a research paper that reports on the project
Course information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Education Research
- Year
2018 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 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
Cloud (online)
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
Cloud (online)
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
Cloud (online)
Other 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. Click here for more information.
Entry requirements
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 Credit for 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
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above.
Tuition fees are determined by your enrolment:
- If you are offered a full fee paying place, your tuition fees are calculated based on your course.
- If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are calculated depending on the units you choose. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Credit for Prior Learning.
* One year full-time study load is typically represented by four credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 4 credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
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 fees and available payment options.
FEE-HELP
You may be eligible for the Government's FEE-HELP scheme. This scheme covers your tuition fees and can help make studying significantly more affordable.
It's similar to HECS-HELP, but designed for full-fee place courses. It doesn't matter how much you earn, you may still be eligible for FEE-HELP.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $54,435.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2025 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
Estimate your FEE-HELP
FEE-HELP payments
per pay cycle
Take-home pay
after FEE-HELP and tax
per pay cycle
Your estimated FEE-HELP repayments
- $* is the estimated full cost for a Graduate Certificate of Education Research (4 credit points), based on the 2025 fees.
- is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
- of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP
*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
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
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us 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.
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.
Contact information
Arts and Education Student Services and Enrolment Enquiries
Cloud (online)
Tel 03 5227 1359
artsed@deakin.edu.au
Careers
Career outcomes
The Graduate Certificate of Education Research supports development of research projects and research capacities required for contemporary leadership in education. For those who achieve 70+ on their Research Paper, it also provides a pathway into a PhD at Deakin University.
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 | |
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Footnotes
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of sources