Graduate Diploma in Project Management (Contract Management)
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
Mode
On-campus
To be eligible for admission an applicant must hold:
1ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Skills Development Indicator (Postgraduate). SA public universities.
2ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Teaching Quality Indicator (Postgraduate). SA public universities.
Contracts are at the centre of construction, government and engineering works. Within these sectors there has been a significant shift towards outsourcing and sub-contracting. In this environment there is an ever increasing emphasis on understanding, negotiating and administering contracts to deliver the best possible result for all stakeholders.
This unique program is a blend of project management, business and construction contract law modules that will help you form a body of knowledge in both project management and contract management.
This degree utilises the Standard for Project Management and A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) as a learning framework as well as relevant other industry standards in the field that are widely recognised and applied across different industries, businesses and government institutions.
This degree also combines knowledge of the legal system, legal methodology, key principles, standards, and practice of Australian construction law.
This postgraduate qualification is offered as part of a suite of four programs (Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master). Each qualification extends to the next, so you can easily transition to a Master level qualification. If you decide to exit this qualification having completed the four core required courses, you will receive the Graduate Certificate in Project Management. If you wish to go on to further study, please consider the Master of Project and Program Management (Contract Management).
Throughout this program, you will learn advanced knowledge in project management, its widely applicable tools and techniques, and attain a versatile range of skill sets that you can apply to any complex project.
You will also learn the fundamental legal principles, standards, methodologies, and Australian contract management practices relevant to the building, construction, and engineering sector.
Our lecturers and facilitators come from both academia and industry. They are project management experts and practising industry professionals with extensive knowledge and experience.
You'll get unconventional teaching and industry-relevant materials that support learning and upskilling needs.
This degree will set you in good stead for a career in project management, contract management and contract administration. Ideally, it will be valuable to those wishing to gain a recognised postgraduate qualification in project management with an advanced and integrated understanding of Australian construction law and contract management .
You will learn the intellectual and technical skills to implement and manage projects and contracts. With these highly transferable skills, you’ll be able to use what you’ve learnt across many workplaces or sectors, including building, construction, and government.
Our teaching team includes colleagues from academia and industry, and they are project management and contract management experts with extensive knowledge, experience and skills. Most study activities will incorporate practical scenarios so you'll be able to apply your learning to the workplace immediately.
With a Graduate Diploma in Applied Project Management (Contract Management) graduates will advance in their chosen professional field in industries where contracting and subcontracting are key to project delivery. This degree is particularly useful to employees or employers in construction, IT, defence, and STEM related organisations such as:
UniSA's project management qualifications are endorsed by the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), the longest-serving body for project management in Australia
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
I have extensive industry experience in global project management consulting and curriculum development. I’m currently doing research in the field of risk management in construction. I’m also very interested in the use of multimedia in education and in online learning.
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.