Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary)

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February

Campus
Mawson Lakes

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Program Code
LGED

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry requirements

In order to be eligible students must have completed a three-year degree from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent. In addition students must meet the prerequisites for the major (and where appropriate, minor) Learning Area in which they intend to specialise. Previous work experience may be taken into consideration.

When making offers of admission, the University may take account both of the need to balance the intake across learning and subject areas to meet identified areas of teacher shortage, and of academic considerations which facilitate balance and effective student learning within multi-disciplinary learning areas such as the Arts, Science and SOSE.

Applicants are advised that a successful criminal history screening clearance is required for all students prior to their undertaking any professional experience/practicum placement that involves contact with minors (under 18 years of age). Information on the procedure to be followed for obtaining clearance will be provided with the letter of offer or may be viewed at the School of Education criminal history screening web page. These placements form a compulsory part of the program. A successful clearance may also be required for other courses, eg to enter any school, pre-school or childcare centre for any reason, including on placement, observation or visits, unless the students are already registered teachers.

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This program has no further intakes, please view our full suite of current Education programs.

Aim

The Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) aims to develop skilled education professionals who have the knowledge, pedagogical and practical skills to promote effective and inclusive learning in a variety of educational settings.

Content & Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) is equivalent to one year of full-time study, that is 36 units. The program includes study in core courses, professional experience courses and learning area courses.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Development, Learning and Cognition M	EDUC 5160	4.5
Classroom Theory and Practice 1	EDUC 4181	4.5	Note(s): 1
Learning Area A		4.5	Note(s): 5
Learning Area B		4.5	Note(s): 5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Inclusive Education M	EDUC 5174	4.5	Note(s): 4
Classroom Theory and Practice 2	EDUC 4182	4.5	Note(s): 2
Learning Area A		4.5	Note(s): 5
Learning Area B		4.5	Note(s): 5
See Electives for Learning Area courses.			Note(s): 5

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Arts Education Learning Area
Foundations for Specialist Arts Educators	EDUC 5143	4.5
Inclusive Practices in Arts Education	EDUC 5144	4.5
Professional Learning in Arts Education	EDUC 5145	4.5
Arts for Secondary Teaching 4	EDUC 5146	4.5
Arts for Secondary Teaching 5	EDUC 5147	4.5
Catholic Pre-service Teachers Learning Area (available as a minor learning area only)
Catholic Studies 2: Theology M	EDUC 5150	4.5
Catholic Studies 1: Scripture M	EDUC 5149	4.5
Catholic Studies 3: Religious Education M	EDUC 5151	4.5
Design and Technology Education Learning Area
Design and Technology for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5156	4.5
Design and Technology for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5157	4.5
Design and Technology for Secondary Teaching 3	EDUC 5202	4.5
English Education Learning Area
English for Secondary Teaching 3	EDUC 5165	4.5
English for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5164	4.5
English for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5163	4.5
Health and Physical Education Learning Area
Health and Physical Education for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5167	4.5
Health and Physical Education for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5168	4.5
Health and Physical Education for Secondary Teaching 3	EDUC 5169	4.5
Humanities and Social Sciences Learning Area
Humanities and Social Sciences for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5171	4.5
Humanities and Social Sciences for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5172	4.5
Humanities and Social Sciences for Secondary Teaching 3	EDUC 5173	4.5
Languages Education Learning Area (English as an Additional Language or Dialect EAL/D) (available as a minor learning area only)
Curriculum Development in TESOL	EDUC 5154	4.5
Learning an Additional Language	EDUC 5180	4.5
TESOL Approaches and Strategies	EDUC 5199	4.5
Languages Education Learning Area (Languages other than English LOTE)
Learning an Additional Language	EDUC 5180	4.5
Curriculum Development for Languages Education	EDUC 5153	4.5
Interactions for Languages Education	EDUC 5176	4.5
Mathematics Education Learning Area
Science and Mathematics for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5193	4.5
Mathematics for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5184	4.5
Science and Mathematics for Secondary Teaching 3	EDUC 5194	4.5
Science and Mathematics for Secondary Teaching 4	EDUC 5195	4.5
Science Education Learning Area
Science and Mathematics for Secondary Teaching 4	EDUC 5195	4.5
Science and Mathematics for Secondary Teaching 3	EDUC 5194	4.5
Science for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5197	4.5
Science and Mathematics for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5193	4.5
Vocational Education and Training in Schools Learning Area (available as a minor learning area only)
Workplaces and Learning M	EDUC 5201	4.5
Assessment of Learning in Vocational Contexts	EDUC 5148	4.5
Leading VET in Schools	EDUC 5179	4.5