Graduate Certificate in Leadership
Postgraduate
USA-LEA-GCE 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Learn to lead winning teams and manage change
Develop the same leadership skills in play with successful managers in today’s workplace. Graduate and step up to a leadership role, formalise your qualification, or continue your studies towards a Masters degree. Study people, leadership and change.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Certificate in Leadership
About this degree
The program will develop the foundational knowledge required to effectively lead in changing environments.
You will study four courses – three courses about people, leadership and change, as well as one elective.
- Learn to lead high-performance teams and manage organisational change.
- Explore contemporary, practical case studies and confidently apply your new knowledge to real-world business environments.
- Benefit from flexible study options and learn full-time, part-time, on campus, online or in mixed mode.
- Use this qualification to continue your studies through a range of UniSA Master's degrees.
- Complete the Leaders Institute of South Australia Amplify program as part of your degree, or gain credit towards one elective course.
- Connect with a senior business leader through our Executive Partners Program.
- UniSA Business is accredited by both AACSB International and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies.
This graduate certificate will enable you to learn from the only university in South Australia to have all its Business and Management research rated above world–class. You will develop skills in fundamental business areas such as leadership, resource management and managing change, which are vital for modern managers to thrive in today’s workplace.
This graduate certificate will provide you with the knowledge and skills to gain a solid foundation in management, and enable entry into select UniSA Business masters degrees. It is suitable for those who don't hold a prior business qualification but have substantial work experience, or a non-business undergraduate degree.
UniSA Business is the only business school in South Australia accredited by both AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies recognising excellence in business education and research at a global level. These dual accreditations demonstrate the high standards we hold across all areas such as teaching, student learning and research, as well as our commitment to continually improving the quality of our programs.
Recommended study pattern
As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:
- People, Leadership and Performance
- Responsible Leadership
- Leading and Managing Organisational Change
Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.
Award requirements
To successfully complete the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in Leadership, you must complete three core courses and one elective.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $15,000
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.
The University of South Australia (UniSA) is ranked as one of the best young universities in the world, and is the number one university in Australia for graduate employability. UniSA offers over 200 world-class degrees that are informed by industry and delivered with a highly practical approach to teaching and learning, and is a valuable partner with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about UniSA.
Explore UniSA courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 21
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 21
How to apply
University of South Australia manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to University of South Australia who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
Entrants to the program shall hold one of the following:
- A completed Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent; or
- A completed AQF equivalent Advanced Diploma (or Associate Degree) plus 1 year professional experience; or
- A completed AQF equivalent Diploma and 2 years professional experience; or
- 3 years professional experience.
If you have previous work experience, or have studied before, you could fast-track your studies by reducing the time it takes to complete your degree.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of this program, you’ll be equipped to seek various leadership and supervisory positions in a wide range of industries, in both the public and private sectors.
Due to the flexibility in this degree, there are many career paths our graduates aspire to – you could consider careers such as a:
- General manager: plan and direct operations of companies or public and private sector organisations
- Management consultant: offer objective, strategic advice to help organisations improve productivity and performance
- Project manager/lead: ensure projects are delivered on time and according to project plans; manage budgets, resources, preparation, scheduling, and suppliers
- Business development manager: Advise businesses on planning, growth and investment opportunities, finance and marketing strategies
- Team leader: lead, inspire and manage employees to achieve organisational objectives.
You may also choose to undertake additional postgraduate study to further your knowledge with a Masters’ degree in related fields.
Career outlook
- Corporate Services Managers:
- Data unavailable
- Human Resource Managers:
- Over $120K
- Management and Organisation Analysts:
- $93K to $120K
- Management Consultants:
- $93K to $120K
- Organisation and Methods Analysts:
- $93K to $120K