Diploma of Family History
UndergraduateTAS-FAM-DIP2025
Discover the secrets of your family’s past
What does your family history entail? In today’s age, it’s possible to find out a lot about our ancestors. You just need to know where to look, and what to do with information. Build skills in finding, interpreting, storing and sharing information.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 6 July 2025,
- 28 Sept 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years part time
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Diploma of Family History
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Locate, identify and analyse relevant historical information from sources available online, in archives, libraries, and family collections, to provide the evidence for family histories.
- Organise family history data and research materials in physical and digital form to facilitate the creation of family histories.
- Evaluate, interpret and use historical information to create family histories in a variety of forms.
- Communicate historical knowledge, ideas and skills accurately, ethically and creatively in a range of contexts.
- Use relevant digital tools and technologies, such as computers, software and the internet, for researching, recording and creating family histories.
Family history is for everybody. We all have stories in our family tree waiting to be told. The Diploma of Family History will give you essential knowledge and tools to bring the past to life through tracing your family experiences and understanding the historical forces that shaped them.
Taught by leading scholars in family history, and specialists in Australian, European and Asian histories, this practical program will assist you in exploring your family’s past and enable you to become more proficient and comfortable in a digital environment.
The Diploma teaches core skills in contemporary family history to research your ancestors and others, including planning and conducting online research, locating and managing historical data, and writing compelling family histories.
You'll learn how to use oral history, family heirlooms and photographs, as well as physical and digital archives to illuminate your family’s past. The Diploma of Family History focuses on understanding individual lives in their wider historical contexts, through investigating the impacts of events such as war, convict transportation, and migration.
Recommended study pattern
The program is only available for part-time study.
For students taking part-time study, the following study pattern is recommended:
Completion of 4 foundation level subjects from the schedule below:
- TAS-HAA003 Introduction to Family History
- TAS-HAA004 Writing Family History
- TAS-HAA006 Place, Image, Object
- TAS-HAA007 Convict Ancestors
Completion of 4 introductory level subjects from the schedule below:
- TAS-FXA102 The Family Photo Essay
- TAS-HAA104 Writing the Family Saga
- TAS-HAA106 Oral History
- TAS-HAA107 Families at War
- TAS-HAA108 Migrant Families
While you may complete the subjects in any order, we strongly recommend commencing your course with TAS-HAA003 Introduction to Family History.
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 8 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 1-3 years from commencement.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $15,080
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
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Entry requirements
Successful completion of any 2 OUA open access subjects of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.
Completed the TCE (or equivalent)
Certificate III or equivalent in any discipline
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have relevant work and life experience you can complete a personal competency statement. You may be eligible for an offer if you have work and life experiences that demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this program.
The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.
Career opportunities
Completing a Diploma of Family History develops skills and knowledge relevant to the following fields:
- Family history and genealogical research
- Creative writing
- Non-fiction writing
- Cultural and/or heritage tourism
- Local and regional museums
- History and heritage consultancies
- Local and community history organisations
- Education
- Volunteering and community activities
- Archives and library information systems
- Further studies in history, heritage and related fields
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Archivists, Curators and Records Managers | $93K to $120K | Up 12% |
| Secondary School Teachers | $93K to $120K | Up 2.7% |
| Social Professionals | $75K to $93K | Up 0.4% |
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