Key facts
Duration
0.5 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Developed in consultation with industry, this course will teach you how information technologies are critical to everyday business operations. You will gain essential, industry-relevant information technology (IT) skills – from software design and engineering to information retrieval and web development.
This course is ideal for students without a computing background, as well as those who would like to bolster their industry experience with a recognised academic qualification.
You will graduate with the essential IT knowledge and skills for employment across a range of industries or for further studies in IT.
Course information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Information Technology
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- S578
- CRICOS code?
- 035507F Burwood (Melbourne)
- 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
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Information Technology, 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.
As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Core
* As an alternative to this unit, students can complete the following two stackable short courses in a flexible study mode:
SMC701-OD Front-end Web Development Foundations
SMC702-OD Web Application Server-side Foundations
Students choosing Deakin's microcredentials^ (0.5cp) through our Stackable short courses as electives must take at least 2 microcredentials to equate to 1 credit point of study.
It is important to ensure your course plan meets the course rules detailed above. Students should contact Student Central for assistance with course planning, choosing the right units and understanding course rules.
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:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
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.
Try this course for free
Interested in a free taster of this course?
The first two-week block of this course is available free on FutureLearn, an easy-to-use online learning platform. Try it out and discover just how flexible and rewarding online learning with Deakin can be. You’ve got nothing to lose!
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.
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 bachelor degree or higher in any discipline
- at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent).
Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: artificial intelligence, cyber security, information technology management, data science, information technology, computing, computer science and software engineering.
English language proficiency requirements
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)
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.
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
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. 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. 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.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
Further study options:
Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate of Information Technology, you could use the credit points you’ve earned to enter into further study, including:
- S776 Master of Information Technology
- S779 Master of Information Technology (Professional)
- S734 Master of Cyber Security
- S735 Master of Cyber Security (Professional)
- S777 Master of Data Science
- S770 Master of Data Science (Professional)
- S736 Master of Applied Artificial Intelligence
- S737 Master of Applied Artificial Intelligence (Professional)
- S738 Master of Information Technology Management
- S739 Master of Information Technology Management (Professional)
Careers
Career outcomes
In today's IT job market, multi-skilling, multi-tasking and cross-skilling are highly valued by employers. Deakin graduates are best placed for a successful career in this industry.
Our graduates are well-rounded IT professionals with the ability to meet the future needs of this ever-evolving, fast-moving industry.
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 | Develop specialised knowledge of software design and engineering, database, and web design concepts and technologies to develop software systems, products and solutions that automates business processes at par with industry standards and based on specifications and user requirements. |
| Communication | Communicate in a professional context to inform, explain and drive sustainable innovation through information technology and to motivate and effect change, utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Identify, select and use digital technologies, platforms, frameworks, and tools from the field of information technology to generate, manage, process and share digital resources. |
| Critical thinking | Evaluate and critically analyse information provided and their sources to inform decision making and evaluation of plans and solutions associated with the field of information technology. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced cognitive, technical, and creative skills from information technology to understand requirements and design, implement, operate, and evaluate solutions to real-world and ill-defined computing problems. |
| Self-management | Work independently to apply knowledge and skills in a professional manner to new situations and/or further learning in the field of information technology with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility, and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner. |
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