Key facts
Duration
0.5 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Locations
Course overview
Ready to start a career in engineering? The Graduate Certificate of Engineering is your pathway to your next role. Through focused study, you will acquire the engineering knowledge, skills and forward-thinking mindset employers are looking for in today's landscape. This course is tailored to enhance your technical and problem-solving skills, equipping you with the readiness to design and manage engineering projects collaboratively.
With design and innovation at the heart, this course offers a comprehensive foundation to propel your career forward. Through a focus on practical and applied learning, you will graduate prepared to tackle the challenges of the modern engineering industry head-on.
Ready to engineer your career to the next level?
If you hold a three-year undergraduate degree in science, engineering or information technology, or if you are a member of Engineers Australia (Engineering Technologist) or an equivalent professional body, then this course is your perfect next step.
Deakin graduates are well-rounded and ready to meet the challenges of the future. Whether you are preparing for a leadership role, wanting to master your communication skills, or keen to explore new principles and technologies within your specialisation, this industry-led course will equip you for success.
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2026 close 21 June 2026
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Engineering
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- S550
- 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
Flexible course delivery
Deakin’s blend of online and on-campus learning means you can balance work, study and personal development. Achieve work-life balance – study with Deakin's dedicated support and flexible learning options.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Engineering, you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- SEE700 Safety Induction Program (0-credit compulsory point unit)
- 1 core unit (1 credit point)
- 2 course elective units (2 credit points)
- 1 postgraduate open elective unit (1 credit point)
Most units are equal to 1 credit point.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
2 credit points of course electives from 1 Discipline Grouping.
Students should choose 2 credit points of units from 1 Discipline grouping to fill the course elective unit option (subject to meeting unit requirements).
Students intending to articulate into the S751 Master of Engineering (Professional) course are recommended to choose 2 units from the same discipline grouping they wish to continue in their Master’s specialisation.
Civil Infrastructure Engineering
Electrical and Renewable Energy Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Robotics and Automation Engineering
Smart Manufacturing
^ available from 2027
1 credit point of postgraduate open elective unit
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.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
This course is not available to international students.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Completion of a three-year bachelor degree or higher in Science, Engineering or Information Technology;
- Engineering Technologist Membership (in a related engineering discipline) of Engineers Australia, or an equivalent professional body that is signatory to Sydney Accord, including a body that holds a provisional status.
Examples of related degrees and disciplines include, but not limited to: the broad field of Science, Environmental Science, Engineering, Mathematics or Information Technology.
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
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.
Recognition of prior learning
Am I eligible to receive Recognition of prior learning?
Deakin 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 with Deakin, 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 with Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning Page which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin degree and how to apply for credit.
Recognition of prior learning may be granted to applicants based on prior studies and/or equivalent industry experience.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$18,300 - Full-fee paying place
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year 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. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four 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.
Higher Education Loan Program
Take the next step towards your ultimate degree with a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan to help pay your tuition fees.
You may be eligible for a HELP loan – including FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP – depending on your course, type of fee place, and your citizenship or residency status. Check your eligibility and learn more about Government HELP loans.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best. Explore the range of opportunities and find the right fit for you.
Postgraduate bursary
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
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.
Need more information on how to apply?
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.
Career outcomes
After completing the Graduate Certificate of Engineering at Deakin, you will emerge equipped with foundational knowledge and practical skills to excel in your chosen specialisation. Whether you delve into civil infrastructure engineering, electrical and renewable energy engineering, environmental engineering, robotics and automation engineering, mechanical engineering or smart manufacturing, this course will encourage you to excel in the career you choose. Not only will you graduate with advanced technical skills, but you will possess strong project management, teamwork, and interpersonal abilities to hit the ground running.
You will be on your way to stepping into roles such as a:
- project manager
- energy manager
- quality assurance manager
- engineering business development manager.
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 | Respond to or initiate research concerned with advancing engineering and developing new principles and technologies within the specialist engineering discipline using appropriate methodologies and thereby contribute to continual improvement in the practice and scholarship of engineering. |
| Communication | Prepare high quality engineering documents and present information including approaches, procedures, concepts, solutions, and technical details in oral, written and/or visual forms appropriate to the context, in a professional manner. |
| Digital literacy | Use a wide range of digital engineering and scientific tools and techniques to analyse, simulate, visualise, synthesise and critically assess information and methodically and systematically differentiate between assertion, personal opinion and evidence for engineering decision-making. |
| Critical thinking | Identify, discern, and characterise salient issues, determine and analyse causes and effects, justify and apply appropriate assumptions, predict performance and behaviour, conceptualise engineering approaches and evaluate potential outcomes against appropriate criteria to synthesise solution strategies for complex engineering problems. |
| Problem solving | Apply technical knowledge, problem solving skills, appropriate tools and resources to design components, elements, systems, plant, facilities, processes and services to satisfy user requirements taking in to account broad contextual constraints such as social, cultural, economic, environmental, legal, political and human factors as an integral factor in the process of developing responsible engineering solutions. Identify recent developments, develop alternative concepts, solutions and procedures, appropriately challenge engineering practice from technical and non-technical viewpoints and thereby demonstrate capacity for creating new technological opportunities, approaches and solutions. |
| Self-management | Commit to and uphold codes of ethics, established norms, standards, and conduct that characterises accountability and responsibility as a professional engineer, while ensuring safety of other people and protection of the environment. |
| Teamwork | Function effectively as a team member, take various team roles, consistently complete all assigned tasks within agreed deadlines, proactively assist, contribute to ideas, respect opinions and value contribution made by others when working collaboratively in learning activities to realise shared team objectives and outcomes. |
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
