Key facts
English language requirements
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
Duration
Campuses
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
The Graduate Diploma of Children’s Literature provides students with advanced skills in analysing literary works in Children’s Literature. It hones students’ ability to research, analyse and contextualise issues based on historical, political, cultural and social circumstances in literature for children and young adults.
The Graduate Diploma of Children's Literature aims to provide students with specialist knowledge and skills in the field of children's literature. It is designed so that students become familiar with a broad range of texts, taking account of variations of genre, the historical and cultural contexts in which children's texts are produced, and the ideological frameworks in which they are located. The course will provide an introduction to contemporary theoretical approaches to the study of children's texts, so beyond the span of the course, students will be equipped to read texts in a more informed and theoretically grounded manner.
Read MoreCourse structure
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Children's Literature, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising:
- 1 credit points of compulsory core units;
- 4 credit points of course electives from list A
- 3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
6
Core units
2
Elective units
8
Total
Core unit
Course Electives List A
Complete four 1-credit point units chosen from the following course electives list A below:
Students may choose to include the 5th unit listed above as one of the 3 electives
Elective units
3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts.
Key information
2021 course information
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Cloud Campus
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.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
Entry information
Admission Requirements Specific Entry will be based on performance in:
- a Bachelor Degree in any discipline OR
- a Graduate Certificate 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
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer.
Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
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 Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight 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 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. Your Immediate Family Members may also be eligible to apply for this bursary.
Apply now
How to apply
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
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 How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Why choose Deakin
Career outcomes
These courses are designed to provide training and qualifications in children's literature for graduates who wish to extend and develop their knowledge of the field of children's literature; teachers and librarians who are currently working in the area of children's literature in primary or secondary school settings, or who wish to specialise in children's literature; professionals working in fields associated with children's literature, such as publishing, retail and promotional activities; and primary and secondary teachers who wish to upgrade their qualifications.
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 a specialist knowledge of a range of literary theories, concepts, and approaches, and advanced skills in applying them to writing for children and young adults. |
| Communication | Demonstrate advanced command of the critical and theoretical vocabularies and language required to interpret, argue and fluently and persuasively transmit ideas. |
| Digital literacy | Demonstrate a high level of competence in the use of research databases, bibliographic and digital communication technologies to research, produce and present scholarly work. Show judgement and discrimination in the identification and selection of relevant and credible information sources and with regard for their ethical use. |
| Critical thinking | Demonstrate advanced understanding of techniques to identify, critically analyse and evaluate the influence of narrative strategies, genre conventions and cultural assumptions on the content of children’s literature. Demonstrate advanced skills in the application of theory and research to the interrogation of children’s literature. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theoretical, historical and contemporary critical and analytical approaches to writing for children and young adults, and skill in applying them to the design and execution of solutions to a range of scholarly, aesthetic and/or ideological problems. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to reflective learning and initiative, autonomy, accountability and responsibility for learning outcomes. |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to actively, collaboratively and ethically contribute to mutual learning goals in located and online environments. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate ethical and cross-cultural knowledge of, and skills when engaging with, the diverse cultural, social and political contexts in which children’s literature is produced and consumed. |
| Approved by Faculty Board November 2018 | |