Graduate Diploma in Human Rights
PostgraduateCUR-HRI-GDI2027
Course information for 2027 intake
Turn human rights knowledge into action
Explore social justice and advocacy from a global perspective. Build practical skills to challenge inequality. Think about solutions to complex social issues. Learn to communicate across cultures and religions.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 14 Feb 2027,
- 4 July 2027
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Diploma in Human Rights
About this degree
On successful completion of this program the student will be able to:
- Apply inter-disciplinary knowledge, principles, concepts, and practices of human rights in work and community settings.
- Think creatively to develop innovative human rights-based solutions to moral, social and political problems.
- Demonstrate digital competency in information collection and effectively communicate human rights data and theories both verbally and in writing.
- Analyse the global nature of human rights in ethical ways, acknowledging one’s own values, cultural beliefs, practices, power relations and worldviews.
- Demonstrate an understanding of human rights theory and practice, and an appreciation of cultural diversity and respect for difference across a range of intersecting factors.
- Demonstrate ability to work ethically and independently on study and fieldwork projects, as well as work collaboratively with fellow students, staff and colleagues in the field.
The Human Rights course if designed to promote a critical understanding of the human rights discourse. The program covers modern human rights institutions and how these work for state and non-state actors. The program also explores the political, historical and philosophical development of ideas about human rights which underpin current systems. In recognition of the importance of a globalised understanding of human rights, the program explores ideas about human rights from multi-disciplinary, multicultural and multi-religious perspectives, as well as looks at the roles of social movements, grass-roots campaigns and other actors have played in the development of human rights ideas and practices. The program takes a problematising approach to education, provoking students to engage with a range of ideas and perspectives and to develop their own positions. The program employs both theoretical and practical learning methods giving students the chance to put their learning into practice and to pursue individual areas of interest more deeply.
Recommended study pattern
Students must complete 8 subjects and meet the following requirements:
- Complete 6 compulsory core subjects
- CHRE501 Introduction to Human Rights and Social Justice
- CHRE502 Dialogue across Cultures and Religions
- CHRE506 International Human Rights Law and Practice
- CHRE507 Social Justice and Development
- CHRE512 Activism, Advocacy and Change
- HRIG5016 Responding to Human Rights Challenges OR CHRE503 Human Rights Education in Practice
- Complete two postgraduate elective subjects
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma in Human Rights students must complete 8 subjects.
Choose your subjects
Electives
Electives can be any Curtin postgraduate subjects offered through OUA.
- Complete 6 compulsory core 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.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $24,120
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.
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections.
Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University
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- QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 12
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 18
Entry requirements
Start small with no entry requirements
Yes, you can get into this degree!
Gain entry through single subjects, regardless of your ATAR or study history. Here’s how:
Single subjects
Start with subjects
Enrol and pass subjects from this degree. You can get access to HELP loans if you’re eligible. This enrolment option is only available through Open Universities Australia.
We’ll recommend starting subjects for you when you enrol.
Enrol in single subjectsContinue to the Graduate Diploma in Human Rights
Enter the degree with full credits from your subjects. You’ll study for the same amount of time as students who go straight into the degree.
Applicants for a Graduate Diploma are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at Study at Curtin. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate. Any specific program entry and completion requirements must also be met. All Curtin programs have compulsory and other core capabilities that are essential for demonstrating the achievement of program learning outcomes and graduation. Students who are unable to meet or demonstrate those requirements, now or in later stages during their studies, may seek reasonable adjustments by the University wherever possible to facilitate alternative ways of achieving those requirements. If reasonable adjustments cannot be accommodated, Curtin will discuss study options to find an alternative course of study or an exit degree. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.
If your education degrees were not solely in English, as per the International Handbook of Universities or the World Higher Education database, or you are applying based on work experience you will need to meet the English Proficiency requirements. Admission requires an overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) (or equivalent test) score of at least 6.5 and competence in all test components (IELTS score of 6.0).
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Entry Requirements' document at: English Language Requirements.
Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at: English Proficiency Tests
*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***
Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at Study at Curtin.
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