University of Sydney explains the value in a graduate certificate or diploma

10 May 2017

When considering a postgraduate degree, the choice isn’t only deciding whether to do a master’s degree (coursework) or a PhD (research). There are other postgraduate study options that could help you achieve your goals.

University of Sydney explains the value in a graduate certificate or diploma
Learn more about how you can study at the University of Sydney

If you’ve been out of university for more than 10 years but are interested in returning to study, you should consider a graduate certificate or a graduate diploma—a great way to further your education and the perfect step toward obtaining a master’s degree.
A crucial question to ask yourself is what do you hope to achieve by pursuing postgraduate study? The University of Sydney examines reasons to help decide where postgraduate study could lead you.
At its core, a postgraduate qualification can provide opportunity to take the next step in your career by upskilling and deepening your knowledge of a chosen field, or even launching into a new career direction. It may also be the catalyst for you to expand your horizons or pursue a personal ambition. Your motivations for postgraduate study are a useful guide when choosing which course is for you. With this in mind, a graduate certificate or graduate diploma are valuable options to consider.

You can try out postgraduate study to your level of commitment

At first glance the key difference between a graduate certificate versus a graduate diploma versus a master’s degree is the duration. Generally speaking, a graduate certificate would take six months of full-time study, a graduate diploma one year, and a master’s degree one to two years.
What is often overlooked about a graduate certificate or diploma is that they are embedded qualifications, meaning they will count towards the higher qualification should you decide you’d like to expand your knowledge further. The units studied, and by extension your time and money, can all contribute towards the completion of the higher degree.
In effect these degrees give you more flexibility over your level of commitment. With a minimum of six months’ study, you can choose to complete your postgraduate qualification with a graduate certificate, or potentially progress to a diploma and/or master’s degree.

You can invest to your needs

Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas are usually a subset of the units offered in a master’s degree, which is part of the reason they are embedded courses.
A graduate certificate will typically offer you the essential or core units of study. This is a great option if you are looking to extend your existing knowledge base or upskill in a certain area.
Building on from the graduate certificate, a graduate diploma will provide you the additional units needed to expand or deepen your knowledge in your chosen study area. As a guide, a graduate diploma is typically one year of full-time study or 48 credit points. This is equivalent to what would constitute a major at the undergraduate level.
If you are looking to gain professional qualifications for your next job or to attain specialised knowledge and skills, then a master’s degree could be for you. Depending on the degree in question, you may be able to tailor the qualification to your specific interests with electives, or a research project and potentially gain entry into a PhD.
There’s no need to make the decision from the outset if you’re unsure. Start your study and gauge for yourself.
Not eligible to apply for a master’s degree? You can still start one! Not all pathways to a master’s degree are the same. If you have the intention of completing a master’s degree, but don’t meet the entry requirements, look to the embedded graduate certificate or graduate diploma. These qualifications tend to have different entry requirements to the master’s but can be considered for admission into the master’s degree upon successful completion.

Are you considering studying at the University of Sydney but not sure where to start? Contact OzTREKK at info@oztrekk.com or call toll free in Canada at 1-866-698-7355 to find out which study option is best for you!

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