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University of South Australia
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Graduate Certificate in Leadership

Degree Level Postgraduate

Year 2025

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
0.5 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DCLD

SATAC Code
4GC107 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Fees
$AU 17,100 per 0.5 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025

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Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

Degree overview

  • UniSA Business is accredited by both AACSB International and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies.
  • Learn to lead high-performance teams and manage organisational change Explore current, practical case studies and confidently apply your new leadership skills to real-world business environments.
  • Use this qualification to continue your studies through a range of UniSA Master's degrees.
  • Connect with a senior business leader through our Executive Partners Program.
  • Benefit from flexible study options and learn full-time, part-time, on-campus, online or in mixed mode.
  • Develop career-ready skills employers are looking for once you graduate with enterprise skills embedded in all business courses within this program.
  • Study at the No.1 Business School in SA, and Top 5 business school in Australia for quality1.
  • Study a curriculum informed by above world-class research in Management2.
  • Study at a university recognised globally in Business. UniSA Business is in the top one per cent worldwide and has been awarded an overall five stars for excellence3.
  • Experience UniSA’s campus facilities, ranked in the Top 5 in Australia for Business and Management4.
  • Complete the Leaders Institute of South Australia Amplify program as part of your degree, or gain credit towards one elective course.

1Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Business Schools List 2023. 22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 3UniSA Business is one of just 13 institutions in Australia and approximately 200 globally (from over 25,000 universities) to be EQUIS
accredited. EFMD, March 2024. 2023 QS Stars Business School Ratings. . 4Ranked #4 (Undergraduate) and #5 (Postgraduate), ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Learning Resources Indicator. Public universities.

Snapshot

Snapshot

Develop critical problem solving, research and leadership skills needed to succeed as a professional manager in today’s workplace.

The Graduate Certificate in Leadership will enable you to develop specialised skills and knowledge in leadership, applicable across industries and professions including business, education, health, government, and not-for-profit. The program will develop the foundational skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead in changing environments, managing dispersed and diverse teams, providing leadership in online workplaces and making effective businesses decisions under pressure.

This qualification can enable admission into select UniSA Business Master's degrees.

What you'll learn

What you Learn

The program will develop the foundational skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead in changing environments.

You will study a total of four courses – three courses about people, leadership and change, as well as one elective from the following:

  • Project Management for Business
  • Negotiation
  • Research for Business Decision Making
  • Managing Employee Performance and Rewards
  • Leading Learning: Educational Leadership in Globalising Times
  • Leadership, Accountability and the Challenge of Complexity.

Degree structure

Course name Area and cat no. Units Reference  
Course name
People, Leadership and Performance
Area and cat no.
BUSS 5114
Units
4.5
Reference
 
Course name
Responsible Leadership
Area and cat no.
BUSS 5389
Units
4.5
Reference
 
Course name
Leading and Managing Organisational Change
Area and cat no.
BUSS 5065
Units
4.5
Reference
 
Course name
Elective
Units
4.5
Reference
Note(s): 1,2
 

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

Assessment

Courses in the program will apply extensive use of case studies. Assessments are contextualised within organisational environments and address operational activities and strategic issues. Courses will investigate real world management problems, enabling students to analyse and provide recommendations.

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.

Global opportunities

Why Graduate Certificate in Leadership

Why this Degree

This graduate certificate will enable you to learn from the only university in South Australia to have all its Business and Management research rated above world–class1. You will develop skills in fundamental business areas such as leadership and resource and change management, which are vital for modern managers to thrive in today’s workplace.

This graduate certificate will provide you with the knowledge and skills to gain a solid foundation in management, and enable entry into select UniSA Business masters degrees. It is suitable for those who don't hold a prior business qualification but have substantial work experience, or a non-business undergraduate degree.

UniSA Business is the only business school in South Australia accredited by both AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies recognising excellence in business education and research at a global level. These dual accreditations demonstrate the high standards we hold across all areas such as teaching, student learning and research, as well as our commitment to continually improving the quality of our programs.

Executive Partners Program

Extend your network and career by connecting with a senior business professional as part of our Executive Partners Program.

This is a unique opportunity for you to engage with a highly successful industry executive to enhance your study and career. Our Executive Partners are active, semi-retired or recently retired professionals who have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you achieve your career goals.

An enriching student experience

Our program delivery and extra-curricular opportunities are designed to suit your lifestyle, preferred way of learning and career interests. You can benefit from a blend of online and on-campus study, part-time or full-time learning, Summer and Winter School intensive courses, mentoring and networking opportunities with industry, and leadership skill development. You can also explore accelerated learning pathways and seek program support from our Business Student Hub.

12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

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.

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 links to UniSA’s research facilities ensure your learning is connected to the latest technologies, theories and applications of knowledge. Our teachers are leaders in their field and you could be learning from globally recognised research groups such as the Ehrenberg Bass Institute for Marketing Science.

We also host regular University-wide employee master classes, employment expos and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Online study

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.

Career outcomes

Your career

Graduates will be able to seek various leadership and supervisory positions in a wide range of industries, in both the public and private sectors. Responsibilities include leading teams, projects, and organisational change.

Due to the flexibility in this degree, there are many career paths our graduates aspire to – you could consider careers such as a:

  • General manager: planning and directing the operations of companies or public and private sector organisations; duties can include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources.
  • Management consultant: offering strategic and objective advisory services to help organisations to improve productivity and performance; advising in areas such as change management, financial performance, restructuring and human resources.
  • Project manager/lead: ensuring projects are delivered on time and according to project plans; managing project team resources; scheduling, preparation and resource forecasting; managing vendors and suppliers; managing budgets.
  • Business development manager: working with business and advising on business plans; advising on investment, finance and marketing strategies; analysing domestic and global economic factors on business; advising businesses on growth opportunities.
  • Team leader: effectively managing, leading and inspiring employees to achieve organisational objectives; openly communicating with employees to build trusted professional relationships; setting and implementing clear team goals and delegating tasks to achieve deadlines.

You may also decide to continue onto additional postgraduate study to further your knowledge with a Masters’ degree in related fields.

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

  • go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
  • you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
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Credit Transfer

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Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

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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.

More scholarships

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.

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International travel grants

Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.

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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

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.

Student services

Your campus

Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. This means that you can:

  • Study online, including assessing videos and course resources
  • Participate in an interactive online learning environment
  • Submit your assignments and get feedback online
  • Use discussion forums for teamwork 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.

Location This degree is delivered at the following campus.

Your program director

With well over 30 years of extensive business-linked experience both nationally and internationally, I maintain a long held commitment to preparing students to become the business professionals and leaders of the future. As the Program Director I see how students who undertake this program develop advanced knowledge and skills in business but are also empowered with the confidence to graduate career-ready and achieve their future career goals.

Mr Stan Astachnowicz

Program Director

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Portrait image for Mr Stan Astachnowicz
Portrait image for Mr Stan Astachnowicz

Mr Stan Astachnowicz

Program Director

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Graduate Certificate in Marketing

Graduate Certificate in Business

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Graduate Diploma in Business Administration

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Study overseas

Enrich your studies and your life - make overseas experience part of your degree. Lots of opportunities are available.

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Got questions?

If you've got a question about studying at UniSA, we've got an answer.

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Contact us

Australian students

Phone: +61 8 8302 2376
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

International students

Phone: +61 8 9627 4854
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

For further information please visit unisa.edu.au/study
Information correct at the time of publication. CRICOS provider number 00121B.
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