What can I do with an undergraduate certificate?
And can you actually get a job with one? We're here to answer your questions.
In our recent series, we've explored what an undergraduate certificate is, and whether it's the right choice for you vs other qualifications.
But what can you actually do with your certificate once you graduate? The answer: more than you might think.
Unlock a bachelor degree
This is the big one. The most common reason people choose to study an undergraduate certificate. Once you complete your subjects and prove to yourself university is within your reach, you can take your foundational knowledge and apply for direct entry into a bachelor degree. You'll earn full credit for the subjects you've already completed, shaving four subjects off your degree.
You'll need to apply for a degree in the same discipline to successfully meet the entry requirements. It's also advisable to continue studying with the same university across both qualifications to make the transition easier. For example, the Undergraduate Certificate in Psychology with Curtin University is designed to lead you straight into the uni's Bachelor of Psychology with zero interruptions.
Take this route if you're not quite ready for a degree just yet and would like to build up your confidence first.
Courses to consider:
- The Undergraduate Certificate in Psychology to unlock a Bachelor of Psychology
- The Undergraduate Certificate in Health Sciences to unlock a Bachelor of Science (Health Sciences)
- The Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching Education Studies to unlock a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or (Primary)
Launch straight into work
Here’s what many people don’t realise: you don’t always need a full degree to start building your career. An undergraduate certificate can open the door to many entry-level and paraprofessional roles, meaning you can launch straight into working—and earning—faster.
Want to work in education? Your Undergraduate Certificate in Education Support could land you a teacher’s aide position. Interested in business? With an Undergraduate Certificate in Business you could look at administrative roles, customer service, or junior coordinator positions. Drawn to digital media? You’ll be ready to kick off a career in content creation or social media support roles with an Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Communication.
Yes, advancing to senior roles will usually require further study. But if you decide to move up that ladder further down the track, you won’t be starting from zero. You’ll be building on your experience, existing knowledge base, and skills.
Courses to consider:
- An Undergraduate Certificate in Community Support to become a community care worker
- An Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Communication to become a social media or marketing assistant
- An Undergraduate Certificate in Information Technology to become a help desk officer
Get free advice about undergraduate certificates
Pick a time to talk with a dedicated advisor. Then ask us your questions, big and small. Together, we've got this.
Transform your career path
Already working but ready for something different? An undergraduate certificate is your career pivot tool. It's perfect for testing new industries or upskilling in a new specialisation without the massive time commitment of a full degree.
Whether you want to sharpen your tech skills, build counselling foundations to better support your team, or are keen to explore an area of interest, like health, sustainability, law, or community services, you’re gaining practical knowledge while keeping your options open.
Feel like you could take on more of a challenge? If you already hold a bachelor degree, a graduate certificate might be the next step you’re looking for.
Courses to consider:
- An Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Writing and Publishing to upskill in communications
- An Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Technology for Business to learn new digital tools that will enhance your employability
- An Undergraduate Certificate in Creative Arts and Health if you already work in community care or health and want to run arts-based health programs
Explore without pressure
Choosing a direction can feel overwhelming at times, especially if you’re not entirely sure where you want to end up. Our student advisors are here to help you figure this out. You can book a consultation with one at a time and date of your choosing if you'd like to speak with an expert.
Just remember, you don’t need to have your entire career mapped out before you start. That’s the beauty of short, focused study. It gives you permission to explore. You’ll discover what excites you, what doesn’t, and begin to understand how a certain industry really works.
If the course confirms you’re on the right path—fantastic. And if you get to the end and you’re still figuring things out, that’s valuable too. Either way, you’ll come away with practical skills, a recognised qualification, and clear insights into what you want your next move to be—whether that’s to move onto a bachelor degree, dive straight into the workforce, or try another area of interest.
A perfectly positioned future
Because undergraduate certificates are still relatively new to Australia, you’re part of the first wave discovering how practical and powerful these qualifications can be.
With more than 30 undergraduate certificates to choose from across 12 fields of study, you can cement yourself firmly on the path to where you want to go in just 6 months. And that is one big, confident, and achievable step towards your future.
