Graduate Diploma in Education (Adult, Vocational and Workplace Learning)

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

Australian students

Campus
Mawson Lakes

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Program Code
LGVW

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry requirements
- A completed Bachelor degree in any discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent and
- At least two years of experience in facilitating learning with adults in a setting relevant to students' current and/or future career aspirations.
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Continuing students only. This program is no longer offered.

Aim

To provide a flexible, comprehensive and highly relevant in-service education for practitioners at graduate level working as professional educators and trainers in the broad field of adult, community, vocational, workplace and work-related education.

Content & Structure

The program requires the completion of courses totalling 36 units, studied over one year of full-time study or the part-time equivalent. Students complete 36 units within the Adult, Vocational and Workplace (AVWL) study area.

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)
Assessment and Recognition of Learning in Adult, Vocational and Workplace Learning Contexts	EDUC 1061	4.5
Facilitating Learning with Adults	EDUC 1062	4.5
Program Development in Adult, Vocational and Workplace Contexts	EDUC 2045	4.5
Theorists and Theories of Adult Learning and Development	EDUC 3046	4.5
OR
Curriculum Development for Second Language Learning	EDUC 4159	4.5	Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Workplaces as Learning Sites	EDUC 4135	4.5
Specialist Study 1		4.5	Note(s): 1
Specialist Study 2		4.5	Note(s): 1
Students select one of the following four courses:
Critical Perspectives on Flexible and e-Learning Pedagogies	EDUC 3041	4.5
Critically Reflective Practice in Adult, Vocational and Workplace Learning	EDUC 3042	4.5
The Educator as Counsellor	EDUC 3045	4.5
Critically Reflective Practice in TESOL	EDUC 5114	4.5	Note(s): 1

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
AVWL Specialist Studies
Futures in Education and Work	EDUC 4121	4.5
Learning Cultures: Whiteness and Education	EDUC 3043	4.5
Organisational Cultures and Learning Communities	EDUC 3044	4.5
Popular Education, Social Movements and Activism	EDUC 4128	4.5
Spirituality, Wisdom and the Aesthetic	EDUC 4130	4.5
Transformation in Adult Learning and Research	EDUC 4131	4.5
Vocational Learning in Schools	EDUC 4132	4.5
Work, Self and Society	EDUC 3047	4.5
Second Language Learning	EDUC 4168	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. In general, students should complete courses in the yearly sequence outlined above.

2. Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Education (Adult, Vocational and Workplace Learning) are eligible to apply for entry to the Adult, Vocational and Workplace Learning specialisation of the Master of Education.

3. Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Education in either the Adult, Vocational and Workplace Learning Specialisation or the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Specialisation will normally be granted 18 units of credit in the Graduate Diploma of Education (Adult, Vocational and Workplace Learning).

Notes

1. Specialist Studies 1 and 2. Students select two of the listed AVWL Specialist Studies courses. Students wishing to specialise in TESOL should refer to important information in Note 2.

2. Students wishing to undertake the program with a TESOL focus will need to include the following four courses as part of the 8 courses required to complete the program: as their Specialist Study 1 and 2, EDUC 4168 Second Language Learning and EDUC 4115 Approaches and Strategies in TESOL. Two additional courses: EDUC 4159 Curriculum Development for Second Language Learning and EDUC 5114 Critically Reflective Practice in TESOL (which incorporates a practicum). Note at least two TESOL courses must be completed prior to enrolment in EDUC 5114 Critically Reflective Practice in TESOL, which is a practicum course.

3. Not all of the AVWL Specialist Studies courses will be available every year. Students may negotiate, with the Program Director, to study other available university wide elective courses.

4. Normally, all successful applicants to the program will have access to an adult education or training situation (in a voluntary or paid capacity) in which to practice, reflect on and demonstrate skills and competence. Should students have difficulty meeting this requirement, assistance to gain access to an adult education or training situation can be obtained through the Practicum Office in the School of Education.

5. The award can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis.