Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership

The Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership is a postgraduate qualification for people who already have some work experience and want to move into a leadership role, or who are already leading a team and want to do it better. It sits at the graduate diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is a postgraduate course that sits between a bachelor degree and a master's degree. It is shorter and more focused than a master's, and it is often used as a pathway into one. At this institution the course runs for two years, and it is listed on the CRICOS register under course code 112515H.

What you study

You will study units of study in areas like strategic planning, organisational behaviour, financial management for managers, marketing, and leading people and change. Each unit carries a set number of credit points, and you need to complete the required credit points to graduate. Assessment is usually a mix of reports, case studies, presentations and exams rather than one big final test. The course is taught in trimesters or semesters, depending on how the institution timetables it, so you should check the official page for the exact structure and unit list.

How it is structured

As a graduate diploma, the course is made up of core units and some electives. There is normally a capstone unit near the end where you bring together what you have learned, often by working through a real business problem or a strategic plan for an organisation. Some graduate diplomas include a work-integrated learning component, such as a placement or an industry project, where you spend time in a workplace and apply your skills. Whether this course includes placement, and how it is arranged, is something to confirm with the institution directly.

Who it suits

This course suits people who have a bachelor degree in any field and a few years of work behind them, or people with significant industry experience who want a formal postgraduate qualification. It also suits international students who want to study in Australia and then use the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream to stay and work after graduation. While you are studying, your student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight. If you are thinking about the course, check the official CRICOS listing and the institution's page for the current unit list, entry requirements and tuition.

• Team leader or supervisor in retail, hospitality, logistics or professional services
• Operations coordinator or business manager in small and medium enterprises
• Project officer or project coordinator in government, construction or IT
• Business development officer or account manager
• Human resources officer or people and culture coordinator
• Management consultant (junior) in a consulting firm
• Retail store manager or area manager
• Not-for-profit programme coordinator or operations manager