Why study the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) with UTS Online?
Top 100 University Globally1
#2 in Australia for Education1
Top 10 in Australia for graduate employability2
5 star rated for excellence across 8 categories3
1QS World University Rankings, 2026. 2QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2024. 3QS Stars Rating 2021-2024
Gain the foundations to lead innovative learning
The need to innovate and lead learning has never been greater. Across business, healthcare, education, community and corporate settings, professionals are being called on to do more than deliver training: they’re expected to inspire, shape and lead change. This course equips you with the confidence and capability to transform learning and create impact where it matters most.
UTS Online’s Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) equips professionals to design, lead and support innovative learning across education, workplace and community settings. Whether strengthening existing practice or transitioning into learning-focused roles, the course builds expertise in learning design, leadership and digital innovation, enabling professionals to formalise their experience, deepen their impact and influence learning culture across schools, organisations and health contexts.
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, you will have the opportunity to progress into a Master of Education (Learning and Leadership).
Who is this course for?
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) is suitable for:
- Corporate and workplace learning professionals responsible for developing and implementing staff training, upskilling programs and professional development initiatives.
- Individuals passionate about improving learning outcomes and driving educational innovation across schools, workplaces and community organisations.
- Leaders and managers aiming to foster a learning culture and improve workforce performance through education.
- Professionals transitioning into learning roles who want to build expertise in learning design, instructional methods and leadership in learning environments.
See entry requirements under course information for more eligibility information.
What you will study
The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) comprises four online subjects (24 credit points (CP) in total).
Complete all of the following subjects:
- Learning and its Trajectories
- Learning with Digital Technologies
- Designing Innovative Learning
- Leading Innovative Practices
Note: Most UTS Online subjects are valued at 6 credit points each. For detailed subject descriptions and further information, please download a course guide.
Flexible course options
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) comprises 4 subjects (24 credit points [CP] in total).
Successful completion of this Graduate Certificate provides a pathway into the Master of Education (Learning and Leadership). Students who articulate into the Master’s degree will need to complete an additional eight subjects.
Graduate Certificate
4 Subjects | 8 months
Or continue studying
Master's
+8 Subjects | 24 months
Graduate with a Master's degree
For more information, download your course guide or speak with an Student Enrolment Advisor.
Learning outcomes
Lead learning with purpose and professionalism
Apply practical knowledge to design and lead effective learning experiences. Support workplace learning, professional development and knowledge-sharing that build capability across organisations and communities.
Apply research and technology for innovation
Use research literacy and emerging technologies to evaluate and enhance learning and leadership practices. Translate theory into action to improve outcomes in your professional context.
Engage with diversity and global perspectives
Apply critical and culturally responsive perspectives to learning and leadership. Engage ethically across diverse settings to strengthen inclusion, collaboration and global awareness.
Reflect ethically and integrate Indigenous perspectives
Champion respect, accountability and social justice in your work. Integrate Indigenous perspectives to enrich learning design and lead with integrity and cultural understanding.
Course information
Entry requirements
To gain entry into the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership), applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent AND A minimum of 1 year full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant professional work experience
OR
- Completed Australian advanced diploma or associate degree, or overseas equivalent, AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant professional work experience
OR
- A minimum of 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time, relevant post-secondary professional work experience AND A general capacity to undertake tertiary education
Relevant professional work experience is defined as employment within OSCA groups: 01 Managers, 02 Professional, 03 Technicians and Trades Workers, 04 Community and Personal Service Workers, 05 Clerical and Administrative Workers and 06 Sales Workers.
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application
Applicants who need to demonstrate relevant professional work experience must submit a:
- Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
- A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
- A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
- A statutory declaration confirming professional work experience (for Australian Residents only)
- An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s professional work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
- A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
For applicants who need to demonstrate a general capacity to undertake tertiary education must submit:
- Personal statement outlining their interest in the course and any contemporary professional education undertaken. The statement must clearly articulate the applicant’s learning expectations which align with the course intended outcomes and demonstrates capacity to undertake the course (such as, but not limited to, successful completion of short courses, AQF Level 4-5 courses)
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee an offer of a place.
Want to check your eligibility?
Not only do we have the right tools and support teams to help you – we have people who care about your success.
Career outcomes
The UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) equips professionals to design, lead and support innovative learning across education, workplace and community settings. Ideal for those transitioning into learning-focused roles, it builds expertise in learning design, leading innovative practices, enabling you to formalise your experience, strengthen your impact and influence learning culture and practice across schools, organisations and health contexts.
Upon completion, graduates may have enhanced their practice in, or wish to pursue, roles such as:
- Learning and Development Officer
- Education Coordinator
- Community Education Manager
- Curriculum Support Officer
- Nurse or Health Educator
A$96,000
Average salary
Graduates with a Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) can expect an average salary of $96,000, based on roles such as Education Coordinator, Learning and Development Officer and Corporate Trainer.
(PayScale)
6.8%
Projected employment growth over the next five years
Job growth for Education Managers is projected to increase by 6.8% over the next five years, driven by the need for skilled leaders to implement innovative learning strategies in schools and organisations.
(Jobs and Skills Australia)
93%
Employment rate
Graduates from postgraduate education programs in Australia, such as those specialising in learning and leadership, report a 93% employment rate within four months of graduation, highlighting strong industry demand.
(Graduate Outcomes Survey)
Upcoming intakes
UTS Online courses have 6 intakes per year. The diagram below shows all upcoming intakes. Our next intake is highlighted below.
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Jan
2026 -
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2026
Meet our Course Director
“The Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) sets a strong foundation for innovative and responsive learning practice. Designed for professionals across education, workplace and community settings, it enables students to customise their learning and assessments to align with their own professional context and career goals.
Our students value connecting with world-class researchers, contemporary ideas, and emerging education leaders. They gain not only a qualification but also practical strategies and professional networks that extend well beyond their study. Many graduates build on this course as a pathway to the Master of Education (Learning and Leadership), advancing their capability and impact as learning leaders”.
Dr Annie Agnew
Director, Education (Learning and Leadership) suite
Download a course guide
Download a course guide to explore detailed subject descriptions, entry requirements, pathway options and fee information.
Frequently asked questions
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) is ideal for professionals in various industries whose roles involve facilitating learning, leading change, or supporting professional development. This includes those working in education, health, corporate, public sector, community organisations, or non-government settings.
No, a background in education is not required to enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership). To enrol, you need a bachelor’s degree or higher and a minimum of one year of relevant professional work experience, or an Australian advanced diploma or associate degree and a minimum of 2 years relevant work experience. This program welcomes professionals from diverse fields including applicants with a minimum of four years professional work experiences and a general capacity to undertake postgraduate study.
Applicants of the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) may be eligible for RPL for up to 12 credit points (two subjects). You’ll need to submit a UTS RPL application to determine your eligibility. For more details, contact a Student Enrolment Advisor or download the course guide.
No, the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) is not a teaching qualification and does not lead to teacher registration. This course is designed for professionals in schools, higher education, corporate, public sector and community settings who want to develop leadership capabilities in learning and workplace change.
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) equips professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to design, lead and evaluate learning in complex workplace environments. The course develops the capability to drive organisational learning, facilitate change, and lead professional development initiatives. Graduates apply these skills to advance into leadership roles across education, health, corporate and community sectors, or continue their studies through the Master of Education (Learning and Leadership).
While the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) does not require placements, all assessments are grounded in real-world applications. You’ll be encouraged to tailor your learning to your specific workplace or professional context, ensuring practical and immediate relevance.
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) is a foundational qualification, covering the first four subjects of the Master of Education (Learning and Leadership). It serves as a standalone credential or a pathway to the Master’s program, enabling further specialisation and deeper exploration of educational learning and leadership. Applicants without academic qualifications may apply to the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) (see Entry requirements).
The two programs serve very distinct purposes. The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is a vocational course that qualifies you to deliver and assess nationally recognised training packages, mainly within the VET sector.
In contrast, the UTS Online Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) is a postgraduate university qualification designed for professionals seeking to lead learning and innovation across organisations. It builds advanced capability in leadership, learning design and change management, enabling you to influence learning at a strategic level and providing a clear pathway to the Master of Education (Learning and Leadership).
If your goal is to advance into leadership roles, drive organisational impact or pursue further study, the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) offers broader recognition and long-term career progression than the Certificate IV.
While there are no formal work placements associated with the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership), students are encouraged to draw on their workplace experiences and career goals throughout the course. Learning and assessment tasks can be customised to reflect individual professional contexts, culminating in a curated e-portfolio that showcases new skills and accomplishments.
Group assignments are not mandatory; however, collaboration and discussion in online forums are strongly encouraged to enhance peer learning and professional networking.
Yes, you can take study periods off while studying the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership). After completing at least one study period, you can apply for Leave of Absence (LOA) through the My Student Admin Portal.
No, the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) is a domestic fee-paying course. However, you may be eligible for FEE-HELP to assist with tuition costs.
Assignments in the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) are designed to develop core capability in learning design, instructional methods and leadership. They invite you to reflect on your professional context, apply theory to practice and explore innovative approaches to learning.
Depending on the subject, assessment tasks may include reflective essays, digital artefacts, workplace projects, proposals or presentations. Each task is anchored in your professional setting to ensure immediate relevance. There are no exams or mandatory group assignments.
Studying the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) online provides a flexible and engaging experience. Highlights include:
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Tools to enhance workplace learning strategies and leadership development
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Flexible schedules to accommodate busy professionals
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Interactive forums for collaboration and peer support
Here’s a video example showcasing key features of our online learning platform, including tools designed to enhance your study experience.
For practical tips on balancing your studies with work and life, click here to learn how to achieve your goals. Remember, our team is just an email or call away to support you every step of the way.