100-hour placement experience option
Course shaped by museum sector experts
Program has been running for 45+ years
Why choose museum studies at Deakin
Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies prepares you with the professional skills to work across today’s diverse museum sector. You will learn how to identify, conserve and interpret objects and collections in museums and galleries, while exploring the evolving role of museums in society.
As museums become more accessible, interactive and audience-focused, you will develop the practical skills and knowledge to contribute to contemporary practice. Study areas include interpretation, collections and curatorship, cataloguing and documentation, exhibition planning, and the ethical and legal issues involved in managing objects and collections.
You can choose electives such as an Applied Heritage Project, developed with industry partners, or an internship to gain practical experience, build workplace skills and professional networks.
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Australia’s largest museum studies program
Join the country’s largest and longest-running cultural heritage and museum studies program.
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#1 in Victoria for satisfaction
We combine theoretical and practical learning, to ensure your education is well-rounded and helps you reach your full potential.
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Degrees shaped by employers
Learn through a curriculum developed with Melbourne Museum, National Trust and Heritage Victoria.
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Practical experience in your electives
Choose an internship or Applied Heritage Project to build workplace skills, industry insight and professional networks.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build practical skills for careers across museums, heritage institutions and cultural organisations. You may care for collections, develop exhibitions, manage records and help audiences connect with cultural material.
Museum curator
Manage museum collections by researching, acquiring, documenting and preserving objects. You may develop exhibitions, oversee displays and help audiences engage with cultural and historical material.
- $110k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 400+
Additional jobs projected in 1 year
Archivist
Classify, preserve and manage documents, records and artefacts. You may design record-keeping systems, assess significant material and support access to collections for research and organisational use.
- $95k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 17.3%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Other jobs
- Heritage officer
- Collections manager
- Registrar
- Public programs officer
- Researcher
- Project officer
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies?
In this one-year postgraduate course, you progress from core museum concepts into applied professional practice. You will study how collections, exhibitions and institutions operate, then use elective study to tailor your learning towards areas of interest within the museum sector.
Core museum practice
Understand collections practice
Learn how objects and collections are identified, documented, interpreted and cared for, while developing awareness of the ethical and legal responsibilities of museum work.
Develop exhibition knowledge
Explore how exhibitions move from concept to delivery through planning, policy, budgets and audience involvement, creating experiences that are engaging and well organised.
Shape your learning through electives
Use electives to deepen a related interest and choose project or placement-based study to gain industry insight, practical experience and professional connections.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies, you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Plus, 4 units from:
Students may also complete 1 elective from any equivalent postgraduate course at Deakin University with the agreement of the course director.
ALC703 Digital Curation in the Age of AI [No longer available for enrolment]
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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.
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
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| Understand, investigate and evaluate conceptual and practical approaches to the identification, conservation, interpretation, management and use of museum objects. |
| Effectively communicate key theoretical and practical concerns in museum studies using oral, written, digital formats to specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Use a range of digital technologies and information sources relevant to the museum context to discover, select, analyse, employ, evaluate, and disseminate both technical and non-technical information. |
| Critically analyse key concepts in the identification, conservation, interpretation, management and employ this knowledge in the museum context using objects and collections to show how these can be utilized in a variety of different situations. |
| Apply advanced theoretical and knowledge and technical skills in the identification, conservation, interpretation, management and use of objects and collections in the museum context and develop solutions to real-world and ill-defined problems or issues in professional contexts. |
| Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, consistently applying professional museum standards with a high level of responsibility and accountability to colleagues and relevant stakeholders and a consistent commitment to continual professional development. |
| Work effectively and collaboratively, demonstrating advanced level of responsibility and accountability in different roles in the museum context |
| Analyse and address museum-related issues in the domestic, regional and global context as a critically reflexive reflective practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and the application of the highest ethical standards. |
Approved at Faculty Board 2015
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- A668
- 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
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$28,200
for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical full-time enrolment of 8 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Applications for credit transfer will be considered depending on the quality and subject matter of the student's prior qualifications and professional experience.
The Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies and Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies and the Masters in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies comprise a suite of fully articulated courses. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies will lead to entry into either the Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies with up to 4 credit points of RPL or allows for entry into the Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies [8cp]. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies or equivalent will lead to entry into either the Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies or Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) with up to 8 credit points for credit transfer.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to: