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Postgraduate courses

Online postgraduate study that's flexible enough to put success within your reach

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Explore postgraduate courses online

We know you've got what it takes to get where you want to be. And we've got a range of postgraduate study options for you to do just that—without putting your life on hold.

We've partnered with leading Australian universities to make postgraduate study more flexible than ever.

Starting and succeeding at online postgraduate courses? It's never been more possible than through Open Universities Australia.

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Browse by postgraduate course type

Single subjects

Upskill without committing to a degree. These work-ready subjects can be completed in 10 to 18 weeks.

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Graduate certificates

Add a new speciality to your resume, fast, with this 6-month qualification. Become eligible for further study.

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Graduate diplomas

Deepen your knowledge in half the time it takes to earn a masters degree.

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Masters degrees

Gain a renowned professional qualification. These courses have a strong industry and research focus.

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Browse postgraduate courses by interest area

Why study through Open Universities Australia

Turn your experience into progress

No prior degree? Your professional background could help you gain entry – and even skip subjects you already know.

Choose when you begin

Start during the term that works for you, with a study load that fits.

Find support from day one

From choosing the right course to finalising your enrolment, we’ll guide you through it all.

Frequently asked postgraduate study questions

What universities can I study with through Open Universities Australia?

We partner with leading universities from across Australia, meaning you're never short of choice. You can read more about each university here.

Will I graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student?

Yes. We help facilitate your enrolment and simplify the administrative side of university for you. But your course is delivered by your university. It is exactly the same qualification you would earn as an on-campus student—it’s just delivered more flexibly.

What are the entry requirements for postgraduate study?

It differs from course to course, but you will generally require a bachelor degree in any discipline before you can enrol.

If you don’t have a prior degree, but you do have at least five years of relevant work experience, you may be eligible to start a graduate certificate. After that, you will satisfy the academic requirements for a graduate diploma or masters degree.

Many single postgraduate subjects don’t have any prior study requirements and allow instant enrolment.

To clarify, make sure you read the entry requirements carefully on the course description page.

Can I earn credit for past work or study experience?

Yes, if you have previous work or study experience in a related area and you don’t want to relearn concepts you already know, you can apply for credit (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning) with your university. If that credit is approved, you won’t need to complete as many subjects, and you can graduate faster.

You can read more about applying for recognition of prior learning here.

Is postgraduate study covered by FEE-HELP?

Yes, all postgraduate courses on Open Universities Australia are covered by the FEE-HELP government loan scheme, including single subjects.

If you’re eligible, you won’t need to pay your tuition fees upfront. You can nominate to pay through FEE-HELP when you enrol. You will only pay back the cost of your course when you’re earning over a certain income threshold.

You can read more about FEE-HELP loan eligibility here.

Are there scholarships for postgraduate study?

Most universities offer scholarships that can cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Scholarships are usually awarded based on academic merit, study area, financial need or cultural background. While applications can be competitive, it’s worth visiting your university’s website directly to find out what’s available. You may find a scholarship that is perfectly suited to your circumstances.

What is it like to study a postgraduate course online?

On average, one subject requires between 10–12 hours of study per week.

While you may choose to study alone in the physical sense, your classmates and tutors are always nearby. Common touchpoints include your course discussion board, where the class will discuss course content; email between yourself and your classmates and tutors; or private study groups, set up by students themselves on collaboration apps and social media.

What’s great about online study is that it draws people in from all walks of life, offering a more diverse pool of backgrounds and perspectives. The student mix is bound to maximise your learning experience.

How long does it take to complete an online postgraduate course?

It varies from course to course, but here’s a general guide:

Course

Duration

Subjects to complete

Single postgraduate subject

10-18 weeks

1 subject

Graduate certificate

6 months (if full time)

4 subjects

Graduate diploma

12 months (if full time)

8 subjects

Masters degree

2 years (if full time)

11 to 16 subjects

When you study through Open Universities Australia, you decide the number of subjects you take on per study period. This allows you to control the time it takes to complete a course. If you’re in need of a break, you can even put your studies on hold between study periods until you’re ready to resume.

Is it true I can combine course content from different universities when I study online?

Yes. This is one of the benefits to studying online through Open Universities Australia. You can take subjects from multiple universities as electives, provided your course structure allows it and the subjects are relevant to your final qualification. This is a fantastic way to customise your course for the benefit of your career and upskill in areas that your university doesn’t offer.

You can read more about cross-institutional study here.

How do I apply for an online postgraduate course?


We make starting a postgraduate subject or qualification as straightforward as possible.

First, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different courses using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

If you're choosing a single postgraduate subject, click 'Enrol now' on the relevant subject page. In many cases, you will be enrolled instantly.

If you're selecting a full qualification, click ‘Apply now’ 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 your application has been successful. We’ll still be around to help you manage the administration of your studies, right up until graduation.

*With some courses on offer, you may be directed straight to the website of the university that delivers the course—the university will then enrol you directly.

If I get stuck, who can I ask for help?

Contact us and we’ll step you through it. We can even help you apply over the phone.

You can also read more detailed instructions on how to enrol.

Need help choosing the right course?

Giselle, a smiling student advisor wearing a headset at her workstation, ready to help with student questions.
Giselle, one of our friendly student advisors—here to answer your questions.

Need help choosing the right course?

Speak to a student advisor about:

  • Enrolling and planning your studies

  • Finding a study option that suits your needs

  • Understanding your funding options

Find out more about studying through us:

Call 13 67 36

Looking for other ways to start the conversation? Contact us

Postgraduate insights and study advice

Your guide to university as a mature-age student

Thinking about studying online as an older student? Here’s everything you need to know about applying for your dream course, getting in, and preparing for classes.

Help! What degree should I study?

You know you want to go to uni, but you have no clue what course to study. First of all, don’t panic. This is a very, very common problem, and one we’re known for solving. The following advice should help you narrow down your choices.

What is a masters degree?

It’s an advanced degree that can lead to specialised job opportunities—or even a career in academia. Let’s explore why you should earn your masters.

What is a graduate diploma?

Learn all about this popular postgraduate qualification, which many students are choosing over a masters degree.

Meet some of our postgraduate students

Postgraduate student Edward at work in a modern office building

"My full-time workload gets pretty intense, and sometimes I need to focus on my family... Open Universities Australia is perfect simply because of the flexibility."

—Edward, Master of Business Administration student, RMIT University

Postgraduate student Kimberley smiling and studying online in her home

"Doing a single unit in social policy has allowed me to see if that's where I want to go. It's less pressure, without the commitment of a whole degree. I can basically see if it's for me."

—Kimberley, Developing Social Policy student, Macquarie University

Postgraduate student Melissa smiling and relaxing outside.

"It was really helpful to be able to not do a subject for a study period, just to regroup and get things in order at home, and then pick up my studies again in the next study period."

—Melissa, Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion student, Curtin University