Send me a PDF copyHighlights
- Ideal for professionals working in early education and care settings who want to expand their knowledge of working with young children, families and communities
- Prepares you to extend your career in early childhood or leadership roles
- Learn today, use tomorrow with our real-world courses
- You can choose to specialise in this area or choose option units across a range of topics.
Highlights
- Ideal for professionals working in early education and care settings who want to expand their knowledge of working with young children, families and communities
- Flexible delivery with online, part-time study.
- Prepares you to extend your career in early childhood or leadership roles
- Learn today, use tomorrow with our real-world courses
- You can choose to specialise in this area or choose option units across a range of topics.
Why choose this course?
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) is ideal for professionals working in early education and care settings who want to expand their knowledge of working with young children, families and communities.
This course prepares professionals working in early education and care settings for an industry requiring highly trained professionals who can specifically support the diverse needs of young children.
Research evidence has consistently proven that the experiences and environments of children in the early years are important for strong social-emotional development and positive learning outcomes through school and into adulthood, and influence children’s health and wellbeing across their lives. At QUT, professionals working in early education and care settings are challenged to learn about how to plan, create and implement evidence based learning environments that will provide the best possible outcomes for children, families, and the communities in which they live.
Be inspired by postgraduate students putting their learnings into action. Read their stories on our Education insights blog.
Learn from the best
QUT’s expert teaching staff collectively represent a diverse range of knowledge and this specialisation is backed by the latest evidence-based research from the Childhood in Changing Contexts research group. QUT has also been chosen to lead the Australian Research Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, working to ensure children growing up in the digital age are healthy, educated, and connected.
Explore this course
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) will develop your skills in critically analysing, designing and implementing curriculum and pedagogy in the early years of a child’s education. You will:
- deepen your knowledge and ability to work with culturally diverse learners and contexts
- consider what it means to provide access to high-quality early education that supports engaged learning and positive outcomes for all young children, and
- develop a strong understanding of current early childhood issues, policy and debates and how to influence these.
Flexible delivery
You may study this course part time. If you choose a selection of option units you can choose to study full-time or part-time.
You can study on campus, online or select a blended approach to suit you. QUT provides a variety of online learning environments to enable you to participate fully, receive expert guidance and support, and be in regular contact with expert teaching staff.
Flexible delivery
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) is delivered online and can be completed in part-time study mode. This major is not available to international students on Australian government international student visas. If you hold a different visa which allows you to study, you may be able to undertake flexible study.
International students studying on a student visa may only study full time. If that's you, you will need to refer to Graduate Certificate in Education - Choice of Units to create a full-time course structure.
Careers and outcomes
Graduates have highly developed specialist knowledge and skills enabling them to lead effective education programs and practices. They are prepared to lead and mentor colleagues working in prior to school and school settings with children aged birth to eight years.
Course articulation
You have the option to keep learning and build towards a Master of Education.
To graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) you will need to complete all units in the Early Childhood major. You may only study the Early Childhood major part time.
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) is only available to non-student visa holders or international students studying from their home country. This course is available 1 year part-time. To graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) you will need to complete all units in the Early Childhood major.
International students studying on a student visa may only study full time. If that's you, you will need to refer to Graduate Certificate in Education - Choice of Units to create a full-time course structure.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP $2,400 per year full-time (48 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: $17,400 per year part-time (48 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: CSP $2,300 per year part-time (48 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $16,100 per year part-time (48 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Real World International Scholarship
A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
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