Online postgraduate study that's flexible enough to put success within your reach Explore postgraduate courses online We know you've got what it takes to get where you want to be. And we've got a range of postgraduate study options for you to do just that – without putting your life on hold. We've partnered with leading Australian universities to make postgraduate study more flexible than ever. Starting and succeeding at online postgraduate courses? It's never been more possible than through Open Universities Australia. Browse by postgraduate course type Single subjects Upskill without committing to a degree. These work-ready subjects can be completed in 10 to 18 weeks. Search postgraduate subjects Graduate certificates Add a new speciality to your resume, fast, with this 6-month qualification. Become eligible for further study. Search certificates Graduate diplomas Deepen your knowledge in half the time it takes to earn a masters degree. Search graduate diplomas Masters degrees Gain a renowned professional qualification. These courses have a strong industry and research focus. Search masters degrees Browse postgraduate courses by interest area Architecture & construction Art & creative design Business & management Community services & care Education & teaching Health & medical science Humanities & social science IT & computer science Media & communications Psychology & mental health Why study through Open Universities Australia? Turn your experience into progress No prior degree? Your professional background could help you gain entry – and even skip subjects you already know. Choose when you begin Start during the term that works for you, with a study load that fits. Find support from day one From choosing the right course to finalising your enrolment, we’ll guide you through it all. Meet some of our postgraduate students “ My full-time workload gets pretty intense, and sometimes I need to focus on my family... Open Universities Australia is perfect simply because of the flexibility. ” Master of Business Administration student, RMIT University “ Doing a single unit in social policy has allowed me to see if that's where I want to go. It's less pressure, without the commitment of a whole degree. I can basically see if it's for me. ” Developing Social Policy student, Macquarie University “ It was really helpful to be able to not do a subject for a study period, just to regroup and get things in order at home, and then pick up my studies again in the next study period. ” Melissa, Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion student, Curtin University Frequently asked questions about postgraduate study We partner with leading universities from across Australia, meaning you're never short of choice. You can read more about each university here. Yes. We help facilitate your enrolment and simplify the administrative side of university for you. But your course is delivered by your university. It is exactly the same qualification you would earn as an on-campus student—it’s just delivered more flexibly. It differs from course to course, but you will generally require a bachelor degree in any discipline before you can enrol. If you don’t have a prior degree, but you do have at least five years of relevant work experience, you may be eligible to start a graduate certificate. After that, you will satisfy the academic requirements for a graduate diploma or masters degree.

Many single postgraduate subjects don’t have any prior study requirements and allow instant enrolment. To clarify, make sure you read the entry requirements carefully on the course description page. Yes, if you have previous work or study experience in a related area and you don’t want to relearn concepts you already know, you can apply for credit (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning) with your university. If that credit is approved, you won’t need to complete as many subjects, and you can graduate faster. You can read more about applying for recognition of prior learning here. Yes, all postgraduate courses on Open Universities Australia are covered by the FEE-HELP government loan scheme, including single subjects. If you’re eligible, you won’t need to pay your tuition fees upfront. You can nominate to pay through FEE-HELP when you enrol. You will only pay back the cost of your course when you’re earning over a certain income threshold. You can read more about FEE-HELP loan eligibility here. Most universities offer scholarships that can cover all or part of your tuition fees. Scholarships are usually awarded based on academic merit, study area, financial need or cultural background. While applications can be competitive, it’s worth visiting your university’s website directly to find out what’s available. You may find a scholarship that is perfectly suited to your circumstances. On average, one subject requires between 10–12 hours of study per week. While you may choose to study alone in the physical sense, your classmates and tutors are always nearby. Common touchpoints include your course discussion board, where the class will discuss course content; email between yourself and your classmates and tutors; or private study groups, set up by students themselves on collaboration apps and social media. What’s great about online study is that it draws people in from all walks of life, offering a more diverse pool of backgrounds and perspectives. The student mix is bound to maximise your learning experience. It varies from course to course, but here’s a general guide: Subjects to complete Single postgraduate subject Graduate certificate 6 months (if full time) Graduate diploma 12 months (if full time) 2 years (if full time) 11 to 16 subjects When you study through Open Universities Australia, you decide the number of subjects you take on per study period. This allows you to control the time it takes to complete a course. If you’re in need of a break, you can even put your studies on hold between study periods until you’re ready to resume. Yes. This is one of the benefits to studying online through Open Universities Australia. You can take subjects from multiple universities as electives, provided your course structure allows it and the subjects are relevant to your final qualification. This is a fantastic way to customise your course for the benefit of your career and upskill in areas that your university doesn’t offer. You can read more about cross-institutional study here. We make starting a postgraduate subject or qualification as straightforward as possible. First, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different courses using our handy comparison tool , or request help from one of our student advisors. If you're choosing a single postgraduate subject, click 'Enrol now' on the relevant subject page. In many cases, you will be enrolled instantly. If you're selecting a full qualification, click ‘Apply now’ and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process. Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether your application has been successful. We’ll still be around to help you manage the administration of your studies, right up until graduation. *With some courses on offer, you may be directed straight to the website of the university that delivers the course—the university will then enrol you directly. Contact us and we’ll step you through it. We can even help you apply over the phone. You can also read more detailed instructions on how to enrol . Prompt, convenient, unbiased advice at no cost During your Study Discovery Consultation, your dedicated advisor will offer support for: Clarity on whether study is the right step for you at this point in time A clear, simple explanation of how higher education works A greater sense of direction and an actionable next step Schedule a time for your Study Discovery consultation now. Schedule a time to chat about your future now. Looking for other ways to start the conversation? Contact us Postgraduate insights and study advice Help! What degree should I study? You know you want to go to uni, but you have no clue what course to study. First of all, don’t panic. This is a very, very common problem, and one we’re known for solving. The following advice should help you narrow down your choices. Your guide to university as a mature-age student Thinking about studying online as an older student? Here’s everything you need to know about applying for your dream course, getting in, and preparing for classes. What is a masters degree? It’s an advanced degree that can lead to specialised job opportunities—or even a career in academia. Let’s explore why you should earn your masters. What is a graduate diploma? Learn all about this popular postgraduate qualification, which many students are choosing over a masters degree.