This degree is no longer offered. You may be interested in other courses in Statistics
Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics
PostgraduateSWI-STA-GCE2024
Course information for 2024 intake
Translate theoretical statistical concepts into useable knowledge
Learn quantitative skills in exploratory data analysis, estimation and hypothesis testing, factor and regression analysis, discriminant analysis and forecasting. Gain practical experience using statistical software packages such as SPSS and SAS
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- 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 of Applied Statistics
About this degree
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to critically think, review, analyse and consolidate statistical knowledge to provide solutions to complex problems in diverse field
- Synthesise communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical statistical concepts to transfer knowledge and ideas to a variety of audience
- Defend the application of statistical knowledge and skills to make independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised context
- Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters.
The Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics is designed for graduates in any discipline, especially for humanities, social sciences, health sciences, information systems and business graduates who have a professional interest in the use of statistics. It is also applicable to other graduates who have a need to use statistics in their work but have not had sufficient experience with applied statistics. It concentrates on practical skills and enables participants to broaden their theoretical and practical knowledge in the basic areas of statistics.
Recommended study pattern
To qualify for a Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics, students must complete all four core subjects. A subject can only be counted once. The program is delivered entirely online and is supported with eTutors, tutorials, print materials, websites and CD-ROMs.
Award requirements
To qualify for a Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics, students must complete 4 core subjects (50 credit points). Each subject carries 12.5 credit points.
Please note: You cannot re-enrol into Swinburne subjects that you have already passed.
Taking time off from study (Absent Without Leave and Leave of Absence): Visit Taking Time off from Study to learn how to apply for an approved leave of absence and minimise the risk of having to reapply for degree admission.
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.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
From Study Period 1 2018, the Graduate Certificate of Science (Applied Statistics) changed to the Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics. The Course Structure remains the same with some minor changes to subjects.
Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics
Students may choose to stay in the previous Course title or transfer to the new Course title. Students who wish to transfer to the new Course title must complete the online Course Transition Application.
For all students
The following subject changes apply from 2018:
- STA60003 Basic Statistical Computing changed to STA60003 Basic Statistical Computing using R
- STA80005 Statistical Marketing Tools changed to STA80005 Advanced Data Mining
The following subject changes apply from 2019:
- STA80006 Using R for Statistical Analysis changed to STA80006 Statistical Decision Making
- STA80004 Advanced Topics in Regression replaced by STA80011 Advanced Statistical Modelling
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $14,040
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.
Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.
Learn more about Swinburne.
Explore Swinburne courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Undergraduate degree and normally have an understanding of descriptive statistics
5 years (minimum) relevant industry experience
English language requirements: (International students only)
IELTS (Academic Module): Overall 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0; or Swinburne English Language Centre: EAP 5 Advanced level with overall 70% and all skills 65% or above; or TOEFL iBT: minimum score 79 (Reading no less than 18, Writing no less than 20); or equivalent measures available at Swinburne Entry Requirements.
Please note: This course is not available to international students who will be studying in Australia on a student visa (subclass 500).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. For further details for students considering Higher Education degrees visit Swinburne RPL.
Credit Transfer
Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this degree may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the degree with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information please visit Swinburne Credit for Prior Study or Experience.
Study method requirements
The media used to teach this degree include printed materials and also some online study material. You will need easy and frequent access to a computer with the internet and email.
Additionally, students will be required to purchase and/or have access to the statistical software package SPSS.
Career opportunities
The demand for applied statisticians continues to grow as data production grows in all areas of the economy. Graduates are employed in areas such as the following:
- Marketing
- Government agencies
- Market research
- Education
- Medical and biological sciences
- Town planning
- Social research
- Insurance
- Banking
- Medical Research
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians | $93K to $120K | Up 30.2% |
| ICT Business and Systems Analysts | Over $120K | Up 62.5% |
| Market Research Analysts | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
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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.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
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
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
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.