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Graduate Certificate in Project Management
PostgraduateUSA-PJM-GCE2019
Course information for 2019 intake
Endorsed by the Australian Institute of Project Management
Learn to use A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) as a framework. Study principles, leadership, risk and control methods to apply project management techniques across different industries.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Certificate in Project Management
About this degree
Advanced and theoretical knowledge within a systematic and coherent, body of knowledge in the area of project management as applied in professional practice.
Cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identity and provide solutions to complex problems in the area of contemporary project management.
Demonstrate the application of theoretical project management knowledge and skills to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts.
Have cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas in the area of project management.
Make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in the area of project management.
Demonstrate the application of individual and team skills that include working with people in remote or virtual project team situations.
Advanced knowledge of the moral, ethical and legal considerations which underpin the planning and implementation of project management applications.
Demonstrate the application of theoretical knowledge and skills with responsbility and accountability for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters.
Specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice.
Communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts in the area of project management and to transfer knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences.
Demonstrate the application of international perspectives, including operating in different geopolitical environments that require different cultural approaches.
Project management knowledge is essential to the successful planning, development and delivery of projects. These project types can vary. They can range from organising an outdoor event to the design and construction of a submarine. Project management provides the knowledge required to plan and organise projects so that they are delivered within time, cost and quality constraints.
The degrees cater to the needs of people transitioning from an applied background into a project management role, those already managing projects or those looking to build careers as project managers. Throughout the degree you will be provided with several opportunities to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills required for successful project management.
The degrees use the A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) as a framework. This framework provides a generic approach to project management that can be applied across different industries, businesses and government institutions.
You have a range of options in respect to your study. You can undertake the degree at Graduate Certificate (4 subjects), Graduate Diploma (8 subjects) or Masters level (16 subjects).
Recommended study pattern
Students are requested to enrol in the compulsory core subject MPM411 Principles of Project Management subject at the first opportunity.
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate in Project Management, students must complete the 4 prescribed subjects.
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.
Once you have enrolled:
Once your enrolment has been confirmed, your details will be sent through to the University of South Australia (UniSA). Your details will then be used to send out your UniSA log in details. If you enrolled two weeks before (or earlier) to the start of the study period your log in details for the UniSA student portal will be sent out two weeks prior to the start of the study period. If you enrol during the last two weeks before the start of the study period the email will be sent the following Monday after you enrol.
If you have not received your log in details by the start of the study period date please contact UniSA directly on 1300 361 450.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $9,800
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 World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 22
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 22
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised tertiary education institution.
Have a minimum of six years equivalent full-time professional work experience in a commercial or project management environment.
For applicants for whom English is a second language, the minimum English language requirements are:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic): with a minimum overall score of 6.5 (with IELTS Reading and Writing each with a minimum score 6), obtained within the last two years or corresponding results from an equivalent test such as TOEFL; or
- Successful completion of a tertiary qualification at diploma level or above completed in Australia within the last two years; or
- Successful completion of two or more years of tertiary study at diploma level or above conducted and completed in English within the last five years in a country in which English is an official language; or English is commonly used, as determined by the University.
Credits will be administered as per University of South Australia policy. A maximum of one third of the degree can be credited based on previous external studies. Students wishing to claim credits should apply prior to enrolling. Please contact the University of South Australia for further information on applying for RPL.
Study method requirements
You are expected to have some familiarity with the use of computers and computer packages including the internet, word processing, presentations and spreadsheets. You require access to the internet.
Career opportunities
Professional recognition
The Australian Institute of Project Management endorses all University of South Australia project management degrees.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Project Managers | Over $120K | Up 0.01% |
| Contract, Program and Project Administrators | $93K to $120K | Up 25.4% |
| ICT Project Managers | Over $120K | Up 0.01% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
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Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
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You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.