Key facts
Duration
Semester 1: Full-time or part-time over one year
Semester 2: For students with approved RPL only
Locations
Course overview
Help improve the lives and communities we serve by driving evidence-based solutions that have a real-world impact across Australia and around the globe. Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Health and Medical Research provides the opportunity to advance your career in clinical research; offering a unique and fast-tracked pathway to PhD study for graduates of undergraduate and postgraduate courses where the requirements for PhD entry have not been fulfilled.
Are you ready to participate in cutting-edge research and drive change in your field?
Under the guidance of some of the Australia’s leading researchers and benefiting from access to world-class facilities, you will graduate with skills highly sought after for academia, research institutes, hospitals, medical bodies, as well as government health and science agencies.
Additionally, the unique structure of this course allows the minimum requirements for PhD entry at Deakin University, which is a 2 credit point research thesis, to be met as well as providing experiential training around project planning, execution, presentation, and thesis writing.
Upon completing this course students will have utilised and improved on a range of skills such as critical thinking, complex problem solving, communication, and technical skills due to the composition of assessment tasks in research training, including ethics, and experiential research to demonstrate discipline specific knowledge and capabilities.
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Semester 2 2026 close 15 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 Health and Medical Research
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- H523
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 110775D Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- 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 Health and Medical Research, 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
- 4 credit points of core units
Most units are equal to one credit point.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Semester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Semester 2. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: February
- Available at:
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Workload
You should be able to commit 35 hours a week to your degree.
Participation requirements
This course requires you to undertake your own research. A year of specialised study will allow you to draw together the theory and practical skills gained in previous undergraduate studies and to develop an in-depth knowledge of your particular discipline through research and additional coursework. Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Not applicable
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:
- a bachelor degree or higher in a discipline related to the proposed research project with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) greater than 65 in all final year units
- successful completion of a minimum of 8 credit points from the Doctor of Medicine (H911)
Please note: selection will be determined by the availability of supervisors and resources.
Examples of related disciplines include, but not limited to: Biomedical science, nursing, allied health, and medical professionals
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
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is available for students that have previously achieved equivalent learning outcomes for HMH711 and HMH701. A maximum of 2 credit points can be granted via RPL.
Doctor of Medicine (H911) students who have completed the first 2 years of study will be eligible for 1 credit point of RPL from HMH711. Doctor of Medicine (H911) graduates will be eligible for 2 credit points of RPL from HMH711 and HMH701.
Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry (D302) graduates will be eligible for 2 credit points of RPL for HMH711 and HMH701.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$14,500 - 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.
Pathways
The proposed Graduate Certificate of Health and Medical Research will provide research training and a research experience that will be assessed by a 2 credit point thesis. Successful completion of this course does not automatically guarantee pathway. Students who complete the research project for the Graduate Certificate of Health and Medical Research with a grade of 70% or higher will be eligible for entry for a PhD candidature at Deakin University.
Professional recognition
Not applicable
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 | Apply advanced discipline-specific knowledge and understanding of health and medical research methodologies to plan and execute a research project as well as disseminate research findings. |
| Communication | Effectively use written, visual, and verbal communication of health and medical research concepts and research findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Utilise digital technologies to locate, collect, curate, and interpret literature and data to disseminate health and medical research concepts and relevant information. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate health and medical research literature, methodologies, and research data in a creative and constructive manner to contribute to health and medical research. |
| Problem solving | Define a health or medical research question and design a methodology to address the research question, in the given timeframe, that is appropriate and ethical. Reflect upon the research project in the context of health or medical literature to contribute advancement of knowledge by disseminating research data and findings. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate self-management to source, curate, and interpret health and medical research literature and data with a high degree of autonomy. |
| Teamwork | N/A |
| Global citizenship | Engage in professional and ethical research practices. |
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
