Key facts
Duration
1 years full-time or part-time equivalent.
Locations
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Gain a deeper understanding of the stories we choose to tell future generations, and why and how we tell them. Study our Graduate Diploma of Children’s Literature to explore key literary genres, while analysing storytelling methods and formats and developing critical thinking skills. Deakin is the only university in Australia to offer a graduate diploma in this field.
Interested in developing a unique understanding of one of the world’s most important literary genres?
Begin your course by exploring the fundamentals of narrative theory and how they apply to children’s literature. Then choose a specialisation from six options, such as graphic narratives, where you will focus your knowledge and creative practice.
You’ll also benefit from the chance to master complementary abilities, such as the ability to pitch or market a book, in electives selected from the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Creative Arts, or Master of Communication.
This course draws a wide range of students from a wide range of backgrounds, from English teachers looking to understand their curriculum better to working writers looking to better explore their genre of choice. The intersection of new voices, ideas, and experience offered in your course will in turn help you discover your views as a reader, strengthen your voice as a writer, and help you broaden your understanding of what children’s literature can do and be. We encourage you to seize every opportunity to collaborate with your classmates and debate new and old ideas with them.
To further your ability to create and critique texts, we also offer publication opportunities and editorial experience in our student-run journal Verandah, where you will get the chance to share your work or gain practical experience in shaping texts for publication. Many students additionally take advantage of our strong partnerships to secure industry internships, while other writing and literature alumni have gone on to win such awards as the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award and the Melbourne Prize for Literature.
Importantly, this course will provide you with more than expertise in one genre. The projects you will work on will train equip you with transferable skills such as critical analysis, communication, problem solving and research – incredibly valuable in every field of work.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Children's Literature
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- A641
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Course structure
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Children's Literature, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising:
- 1 credit points of compulsory core units;
- 4 credit points of course electives from list A
- 3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Communication or Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
1
Core units
4
Course elective units
3
Elective units
8
Total
Core unit
Course Electives List A
Complete four 1-credit point units chosen from the following course electives list A below:
Students may choose to include the 5th unit listed above as one of the 3 electives
Elective units
3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher
- at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning. One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $54,435.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2025 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
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*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
Graduates understand the importance of children’s writing in how we understand children and childhood. They expand their knowledge of a wide variety of text types for children and young adults to develop their understanding of how language and narrative shape the way we understand the world, and how literature can simultaneously reflect and provide insights into aspects of culture, place, and history. Studying children’s literature develops high-level writing skills, critical analysis, and the capacity to undertake independent and collaborative research. Writing and literature graduates have gone on to win awards like the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award Melbourne Prize for Literature for their published works.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Articulate specialist knowledge of a range of literary theories, concepts, and approaches, and apply them to works of literature for children and young adults. |
| Communication | Communicate through writing that employs advanced command of the critical and theoretical vocabularies and language required to interpret, argue and fluently and persuasively transmit ideas about writing and literature for children and young adults. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of technologies and make evaluative judgments in the use of research databases, bibliographic and digital communication technologies to research, produce and present scholarly work in writing and literature for children and young adults. |
| Critical thinking | Utilise theory and research to critically analyse and evaluate the influence of narrative strategies, genre conventions and cultural assumptions and apply to the examination of literature for children and young adults. |
| Problem solving | Apply theoretical, historical and contemporary critical and analytical approaches to the sophisticated design and execution of solutions to a range of scholarly, aesthetic and ideological problems that emerge from the analysis of literature for children and young adults. |
| Self-management | Act with autonomy and initiative while being accountable for working effectively, efficiently and to a high standard in order to achieve goals in writing and literature. |
| Teamwork | Actively contribute to peer feedback activities and make constructive, respectful and informed contributions to creative and critical collaboration in writing and literature. |
| Global citizenship | Identify, select, and critically analyse culturally relevant literary theories, concepts, and approaches to interpreting works of literature for children and young adults. |
Approved at Faculty Board September 2021