Key facts
Duration
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
Studying the Graduate Diploma of Humanitarianism and Development gives you an introduction to community development, international development and the humanitarian sector. Throughout this course, you will gain a broad overview of the causes, impacts, and solutions of human development to the many crises the world is facing.
Deakin has an exceptional reputation with over 40 years of teaching and research in international and community development, as well as pioneering the first graduate program in humanitarian assistance. The Graduate Diploma of Humanitarianism and Development is designed with industry consultation and taught by pioneering academics.
Do you want to find practical solutions to humanitarian crises?
This course explores immediate disaster, humanitarian relief and the longer-term issues associated with international and community development, as well as their practical connections and tensions. You’ll learn about the complexity of humanitarian contexts which requires an agile approach centred around local and community-led action, with global engagement where necessary. Your focus may be on community development theory and practice, or international development programming and policy.
This one-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) course is offered at Burwood (Melbourne) and online. Core units include Food and Water Security, Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Led Recovery. You can customise your studies to your personal interests and choose from a wide variety of electives including Climate Change and Sustainability, Refugees and Forced Migration and more.
There are opportunities for work integrated learning experiences. Network with your peers and industry leaders, both academic and professional through innovative course delivery modes, including flexible, on campus and intensive mode options.
The Graduate Diploma is a guaranteed pathway to the Master of Humanitarianism and Development. Progressing to the master's level provides access to further research pathways, industry placement and international opportunities, as well as specialised study streams.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Humanitarianism and Development
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- A656
- CRICOS code?
- 114006B Burwood (Melbourne)
- 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 be awarded a Graduate Diploma of Humanitarianism and Development, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points as follows:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory module)
- 2 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points of course electives
2
Core units
6
Course Electives
8
Total units
Core Units
Course Electives
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:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- 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
Potential career opportunities include entry positions, or career progression within:
- Government
- International and local Non-Government Organisations, and not-for-profits
- Community development agencies
- Emergency management agencies
- Private sector
- Social enterprise
- International organisations
- Activism
- Program managers
- Policy development
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 | Engage in disciplinary research to evaluate the major theoretical, conceptual and policy issues in development, humanitarian action, and disaster response / management, both locally and internationally, framed within the context of climate crisis. Apply knowledge in engagement with communities and community-led responses to the world’s crises, including, food insecurity, conflict and disasters, inequality and injustice, racism and exclusion. |
| Communication | Use oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to analyse and generate solutions to complex multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral issues for improving social, environmental, and economic outcomes including global justice, peace, sovereignty, community resilience, and transformations of power to a wide range of specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Source, evaluate and summarise complex data and information on contemporary issues in international and community development, global justice, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action. Apply evidenced methods and technologies across professional, organisation and interpersonal contexts, utilising arrange of digital sources, to design, monitor and evaluate creative solutions to contemporary issues. |
| Critical thinking | Conduct scholarly and practice-based review, analysis, and synthesis of relevant and representative information to make independent judgement on existing understandings and practice across local and global issues such as global justice, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action and opportunities, and generate alternative options, in the context of historical and contemporary development and humanitarian discourse. |
| Problem solving | Apply skills in research, comprehension, interpretation and evaluation of theory, critique and proposed innovative responses to complex situations or “wicked” problems encountered in a range of community, development, humanitarian, and disaster contexts, with creativity, innovation, and respect. |
| Self-management | Plan, organise and manage competing demands on time, to work mindfully in a personal and professional capacity, whilst committing to ongoing learning, and performing as an practitioner and learner, capable of operating effectively in the context of developing community-led solutions to the world’s crises. |
| Teamwork | Work collaboratively as an active, engaged, and reflective team member in considering solutions to the world’s problems by contributing to mutual goals, tasks and outcomes, demonstrating active and constructive participation and contributions to resolving impasses and conflict. |
| Global citizenship | Question, engage, and provoke, on an interrelated range of social justice, environmental, development and humanitarian issues taking into consideration cross-cultural, indigenous, local and global knowledges, contexts, and perspectives that can inform the development of creative solutions for the world crises. |
Approved at Faculty Board 2023