Graduate Certificate in Circular Economy

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

• CLO1: critically evaluate key concepts underpinning the circular economy paradigm in the context of Australian and international drivers, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, regulatory frameworks, and Indigenous knowledge principles
• CLO3: integrate circular economy concepts and tools into organisational strategy and operations by setting appropriate targets, identifying enabling technologies and methodologies, implementing practical actions, and measuring progress towards circularity
• CLO6: create and communicate a persuasive strategy for a transition to circularity within your organisation or industry.

GA2: Creativity

• CLO2: create opportunities to implement circular economy initiatives in your industry or organisation by engaging with relevant stakeholders and using design thinking to develop ethical and sustainable products, services, or business models.

GA3: Ethical practice

• CLO1: critically evaluate key concepts underpinning the circular economy paradigm in the context of Australian and international drivers, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, regulatory frameworks, and Indigenous knowledge principles
• CLO2: create opportunities to implement circular economy initiatives in your industry or organisation by engaging with relevant stakeholders and using design thinking to develop ethical and sustainable products, services, or business models.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

• CLO1: critically evaluate key concepts underpinning the circular economy paradigm in the context of Australian and international drivers, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, regulatory frameworks, and Indigenous knowledge principles
• CLO3: integrate circular economy concepts and tools into organisational strategy and operations by setting appropriate targets, identifying enabling technologies and methodologies, implementing practical actions, and measuring progress towards circularity.
• CLO5: communicate about circular economy issues, initiatives and outcomes with managers, clients and other stakeholders.

GA5: Lifelong learning

• CLO3: integrate circular economy concepts and tools into organisational strategy and operations by setting appropriate targets, identifying enabling technologies and methodologies, implementing practical actions, and measuring progress towards circularity.

GA6: Communication and social skills

• CLO2: create opportunities to implement circular economy initiatives in your industry or organisation by engaging with relevant stakeholders and using design thinking to develop ethical and sustainable products, services, or business models
• CLO4: employ culturally appropriate change-maker, collaboration and leadership skills to enable business transformation based on industry-specific circular solutions and practices
• CLO5: communicate about circular economy issues, initiatives and outcomes with managers, clients and other stakeholders
• CLO6: create and communicate a persuasive strategy for a transition to circularity within your organisation or industry.

GA7: Cultural competence

• CLO1: critically evaluate key concepts underpinning the circular economy paradigm in the context of Australian and international drivers, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, regulatory frameworks, and Indigenous knowledge principles
• CLO4: employ culturally appropriate change-maker, collaboration and leadership skills to enable business transformation based on industry-specific circular solutions and practices.

Ready to be an agent of change in your industry? The Graduate Certificate in Circular Economy will provide you with the expertise to implement sustainable strategies focused on waste reduction, product recycling and nature regeneration, enhancing both resource recovery and the financial performance of industries or organisations.

Circular economy involves the adoption of sustainable practices to create commercial value and ethical practice. It involves the management of resources to reduce waste and recycle products while increasing revenue and contributing to nature positive objectives.

Students will explore circular economy principles, innovative design frameworks, enabling technologies, appropriate target setting, measuring progress towards circularity and effective sustainability reporting. The course culminates in the creation of a business plan and implementation plan for a circular transformation within a chosen industry or organisation.

The course develops culturally appropriate leadership, collaboration, and change-making skills, preparing graduates to implement and advocate for circular solutions that address global sustainability challenges within regulatory framework.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate of Education students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $8,800

The amounts shown here are 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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• completed a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or higher at this University or another higher education provider; or
• equivalent professional experience as determined by the relevant Associate Dean (Education).

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

Category Score

• Overall 6.5
• Listening minimum 6.0
• Speaking minimum 6.0
• Reading minimum 6.0
• Writing minimum 6.0.

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.