Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
The Graduate Certificate in University Teaching & Learning focuses on professional development of academic staff currently engaged in tertiary teaching. It aims to support teaching staff to develop practice-based core skills, versatility, competence and confidence in their specific learning and teaching environment and to help them effectively meet the requirements of their role as tertiary teachers. It also offers experienced tertiary teaching staff the opportunity to further develop their practice and to obtain formal recognition as either micro-credentials or a postgraduate qualification that can be used toward a Master's qualification.
Through a pedagogy that promotes reflective practice, co-design, peer review and students as partners, participants in these units will be engaged in learning that can be applied to their teaching practice. Modules as microcredentials in each unit contribute to a learning and teaching e-portfolio that builds towards the Graduate Certificate, while at the same time providing clearly articulated RPL options to recognise and valorise staff commitment to excellence in T&L. Additionally, the course will be aligned with the Higher Education Academy (HEA) standards to provide staff with a clear pathway towards a Fellowship.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
A limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) may be available for this course. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available CSP quota, applicants may be ranked based on academic merit to determine allocation. Applicants who are not offered a CSP may still add a preference for a full-fee place.
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees

Why study education at CDU?
Gain advanced knowledge in the education field with a postgraduate teaching degree at CDU. Choose from a range of specialist contemporary streams such as Digital Learning futures, Inclusive Education, Indigenous Knowledgee Education, International Education, Managing and Leading Education, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements

Why study education at CDU?
Educate and inspire the next generation with a teaching degree at CDU. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to enter the classroom with confidence, equipped with a nationally-accredited degree to work anywhere in Australia.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Complete placements close to home
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements

Why study education at CDU?
Gain advanced knowledge in the education field with a postgraduate teaching degree at CDU. Choose from a range of specialist contemporary streams such as Digital Learning futures, Inclusive Education, Indigenous Knowledgee Education, International Education, Managing and Leading Education, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements

Why study education at CDU?
Educate and inspire the next generation with a teaching degree at CDU. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to enter the classroom with confidence, equipped with a nationally-accredited degree to work anywhere in Australia.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Complete placements close to home
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements
What will I study?
The course includes four 10 credit point units, is delivered in micro-credentialed, intensive mode each pre-semester intensive setting up theory and frameworks for practice followed by submission of co-designed practice-based assessment to reflect individual teaching contexts to be delivered by end of the semester.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core (3 units) | 30cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 30 credit points as detailed below. UTL520 Effective Tertiary Teaching |
Specialist Elective | 10cp | Specialist Elective Unit totalling 10 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below. DLF513 Digital Cultures, Curricula and Assessment |
| 40cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| UTL520 Effective Tertiary Teaching | CO | UTL522 Designing Curriculum and Assessment | CO |
| UTL521 Technologies for Teaching and Learning | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
Entry requirements
Quota
A limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) may be available for this course. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available CSP quota, applicants may be ranked based on academic merit to determine allocation. Applicants who are not offered a CSP may still add a preference for a full-fee place.
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification.
Consideration will also be given to those who do not have one of the above qualifications, but who have at least five years relevant professional experience, for example in tertiary education, adult education, learning design or digital technology training. Applicants must provide further documentation in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the standard English language proficiency requirements for Higher Education courses at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and provide evidence as part of their application.
You can meet the minimum English language requirement by providing evidence of one of following:
| Previous study in English |
|
| AHPRA Registration | Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English Test within two years of commencement, with the minimum scores shown below. |
| Primary language pathway | Completion of six years of primary and/or secondary schooling in a recognised English-speaking country*, including at least two years between years 7-12. |
Additional information about accepted tests and the evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
^English tests - approved tests and minimum scores
| Undergraduate and postgraduate pathway program requirement | Postgraduate requirement (HDR and coursework) | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP003 | Successful completion of EAP004 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below 6.0 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 | Overall minimum: 58 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 |
Information about test validity, accepted combined test results, IELTS One Skill Retake and evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
*Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
All previous studies must have been delivered in English (medium of instruction was English). Applicants who have studied at an institution from a coutnry on the extended list must provide confirmation that their study was completed within the last five years.
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student

My lecturers and the academic staff at CDU have been very supportive in helping me develop strategies to become a competent teacher in Australia.
Sunny
CDU student

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student

My lecturers and the academic staff at CDU have been very supportive in helping me develop strategies to become a competent teacher in Australia.
Sunny
CDU student

Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about teaching at CDU
Sunny is from China studying a Master of Teaching at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about teaching at CDU
Sunny is from China studying a Master of Teaching at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.



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