Key facts
English language requirements
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
Duration
0.5 years full-time
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Natural disasters, poverty, injustice, conflict. All around the world, the environment in which development and humanitarian workers find themselves is more complex and diverse than ever.
This course – developed in association with Save the Children – builds a unique, global platform where development & humanitarian practitioners and academics can share knowledge and experience, with a focus on improving leadership, preparedness and response capacities to national and international emergencies and developmental issues.
Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action provides you with the analytical skills needed to understand the contexts of sustainable development and humanitarian programs as well as practical skills to apply in the field.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- A505
- 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
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action, a student must successfully complete:
- 4 credit points of study as listed below
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Core Units
Each unit below is delivered via the FutureLearn platform and takes approximately 10-weeks to complete.
These units are broken down into easily-manageable two-week blocks, allowing you the freedom to fit learning around your work, family and lifestyle.
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:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
Note for international students: This course is 100% online and international students enrolled in the course will not be eligible for an international student visa.
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.
Try this course for free
Interested in a free taster of this course?
A 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!
Choose from three free course trials on FutureLearn:
- Introduction to Humanitarian Aid - start today
- Gender and Development - start today
- Introduction to Sustainability and Development - find out more
Entry requirements
Entry information
Entry will be based on performance in:
- a Bachelor degree in any discipline OR
- At least two years of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
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)
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 with 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 with Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning page which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Applications for credit transfer will be considered depending on the quality and subject matter of the student’s prior qualifications and professional experience.
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
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the International students applications page.
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Application Portal, or by email. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
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 International students applications page.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Entry pathways
The Graduate Certificate in Development and Humanitarian Action is part of a suite of fully articulated courses. This means that once you successfully complete this course, you can progress straight into the:
Or…
Careers
Career outcomes
Students completing this course will be able to work in the development and humanitarian sector. This includes working for both international based non-governmental organisations as well as local community based organisations, national and provincial government departments, donors and multi-lateral organisations.
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 | Acquire advanced and integrated understanding of sustainable development and humanitarian action and expert cognitive skills in the synthesis, and application of theory and practice in sustainable development and humanitarian action within diverse disciplinary contexts and worldviews. |
| Communication | Apply oral, written and interpersonal communication to plan, inform, and debate complex multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral issues for improved social, environmental and economic outcomes to a wide range of audiences, and contexts. |
| Digital literacy | Demonstrate the ability to research, analyse, report and communicate complex information via the employment of a range of sector- specialised and generic technological modes to a wide variety of audiences including sustainable development, humanitarian, professional and scholarly communities. |
| Critical thinking | Investigate, critically analyse, synthesise and report on issues facing contemporary sustainable development and humanitarian scenarios in light of established concepts and practice and design and develop interventions, solutions and strategies to address them. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate initiative, creativity and intellectual rigor in researching, identifying, planning, implementing, managing people and processes and evaluating proposed innovative responses to complex situations and problems encountered in a range of development and humanitarian emergencies, locally and globally. |
| Self-management | Plan, organise and perform as an independent and reflective practitioner in the field as well as in the sector generally, demonstrating a commitment to continuing professional development, scholarly research and professional contribution. |
| Global citizenship | Question, engage, provoke and innovate to ensure social justice, reduce poverty, promote environmental sustainability, and increase equality in personal and professional capacity to ensure environments conducive to achieving creative and fulfilling lives. |
| Approved by Faculty Board June 2019 | |
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