Graduate Certificate in Greek Philosophy

The Graduate Certificate in Greek Philosophy is a short, focused qualification for people who want to study the ideas of Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics and the Neoplatonists at a postgraduate level without committing to a full master's degree. It is offered by the Australian University College of Divinity and is registered on CRICOS (course code 120889M). The course takes 26 weeks of full-time study and is available to international students.

What you study

You will read primary texts in translation, usually across several units of study. Typical areas include Presocratic thought, Plato's dialogues, Aristotle's ethics and metaphysics, Hellenistic philosophy, and the later Greek tradition. Assessment is by essays, textual analysis, seminar participation and possibly a supervised research project. The exact units and credit points are set by the institution, so check the official course page for the current structure.

How it fits the Australian system

The Graduate Certificate sits at AQF level 8, between a bachelor's degree and a master's. It is normally made up of four units of study and can often be credited towards a master's later if you decide to continue. Australian postgraduate coursework is usually delivered over semesters or trimesters, with each unit carrying a set number of credit points. This course is short by design, so it suits people who want a taste of postgraduate philosophy or a credential to add to an existing degree.

Who it suits

It is a good fit if you have a bachelor's degree in any field and want to return to study without a multi-year commitment. Teachers, clergy, writers, lawyers and health professionals often take it to sharpen their thinking or to prepare for further study in philosophy or theology. It also works as a stepping stone if you are considering a master's or a research degree but want to test the waters first.

Practical matters

International students need to meet the university's English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for coursework postgraduate courses, though some fields ask for higher. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets its own English threshold for the Student visa. While studying in Australia, a student visa usually allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, so check there for the current figure.

• Secondary school teacher (with an additional teaching qualification)
• University tutor or academic support officer
• Writer, editor or researcher in publishing and media
• Policy analyst in government or non-government organisations
• Ethics officer or compliance adviser in health, finance or public administration
• Pastoral worker or religious educator in faith-based organisations
• Further study towards a master's or doctorate in philosophy, theology or classics

Graduates work across education, public service, media, religious institutions and the not-for-profit sector. The qualification also provides a pathway to the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) for eligible international students who want to work in Australia after study.