Graduate Certificate in Education Studies (Digital Learning)
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
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- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Mode
Online
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Entry requirements
A three-year Bachelor degree or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised higher education institution.
This program is delivered fully online, and therefore is not available to students wishing to study in Australia on a student visa. From 2024 this program is available to domestic students at a reduced fee as a Commonwealth supported program.
Degree overview
- Gain advanced skills and knowledge in designing, implementing, and evaluating digital learning environments in educational settings.
- Designed for education professionals working in schooling, VET, and higher education sectors, as well as in-house corporate educators.
- Complete your studies fully online and part-time.
- Learn from a university that has over 25 years’ experience in delivering online education.
- Use this qualification as a pathway to further learning, including the Master of Education.
- UniSA is World top 100 in Education1 and our education degrees are number one in South Australia2.
- Our curriculum is informed by our above world-class research in education3.
- UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities4, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
12023 THE Subject Rankings
22022 QS Subject Rankings
3Results for Specialist Studies in Education – 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
4UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
Snapshot
As education and training is increasingly online based, skills in the design, implementation and evaluation of digital learning environments form a highly valuable skill set.
The quality of digital learning environments can improve learning outcomes for students by enhancing engagement, motivation, and knowledge retention. Digital learning environments can also improve accessibility, reduce costs, enable continuous improvement, and adapt as new technologies emerge.
If you are working in an education setting such as in schooling, VET, the higher education sector, or as an in-house corporate educator, you can use this qualification to apply your learnings directly to your workplace.
The courses focus on digital learning concepts and technologies, best practice in the design of digital learning environments, formal and informal learning communities, and learning analytics.
You’ll graduate with a high level of practical and theoretical knowledge and skills to support digital approaches in your current teaching and learning environment.
You can further build on your knowledge and continue studies using this qualification as a pathway into the Master of Education.
Find out more about UniSA’s digital learning research here.
What you'll learn
When you study this graduate certificate you will develop advanced knowledge, understanding and skills in the design, development, and implementation of contemporary and effective digital learning approaches in educational settings.
The courses examine
- current digital learning concepts, models and frameworks
- effective digital learning environments, including the practical design of digital learning in the classroom
- the analysis of data, including learning analytics
- the role of formal and informal online learning communities in education, and
- innovative practices for learners in a digital age.
You will graduate with a high level of practical and theoretical knowledge and skills to support digital approaches in your current teaching and learning environment.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- online forums and blogs
- reports
- projects
- design briefs
- critical essays
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Graduate Certificate in Education Studies (Digital Learning)
Our education degrees are highly regarded – in fact, we are ranked in the World Top 100 for Education1. UniSA is also the lead institution in Australia for research in Educational Technology2 . This qualification is informed by world-leading experts in digital learning and EdTech, including the Centre for Complexity and Change in Learning (C3L), so you will be learning the latest information available in the field and graduate with a highly relevant qualification.
12023 THE Subject Rankings
2 The Ausralian Research Magazine 2023
Real-world connections
We have a strong reputation as a dynamic, vibrant and connected organisation, and as such we have extensive national and international industry links and relationships.
These industry relationships are of great benefit to students, and will form part of your important industry network.
Our teaching staff and many of our academics are also highly regarded researchers and leaders, and you may have the opportunity to work alongside these practicing professionals throughout your study.
Please visit the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning to learn more about UniSA’s world leading expertise and industry connections in digital learning.
Online study
Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. This means that you can:
- study online, including accessing videos and course resources
- participate in an interactive online learning environment
- submit your assignments and get feedback online
- use discussion forums for team work and communication
With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment, you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle.
Please note that for some degrees, some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any applicable requirements will be detailed on individual course pages.
Study Education at UniSA
Hear from UniSA Master of Teaching (Secondary) graduate and teacher, Joshua Lamb, talk about his experience continuing his studies with the Graduate Certificate in Education Studies (Digital Learning).
Your career
The demand for educators to have expertise in digital learning has never been greater. With this graduate certificate, you will be in a strong position to seek further career opportunities and progression due to your specialised knowledge and leadership capability within the growing field of digital learning education.
Scholarships
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.
Scholarship for student leadership
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
International travel grants
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Your study experience and support
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.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your program director
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
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. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
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.
Postgraduate
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.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
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.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
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.
What others are saying
The course content in the digital learning certificate is so relevant to teaching in an environment where there's an increasing focus on flipped learning, as well as the occasional need to teach in fully online settings. As a previous UniSA student, I knew the lecturers would be experts in the field and the courses engaging, with a real industry focus. Completing this certificate will help me develop and deliver better blended programs to meet a range of needs for students in my school.
Jane Sykes
Graduate Certificate in Education Studies (Digital Learning)
