Graduate Diploma in International Community Development

Name: Graduate Diploma in International Community Development
Price: <p>Fee type for this course: <a href='#fees-and-scholarships'> Full fee </a></p> AUD

VU course code: AGID | CRICOS: 085260K | Level of study: Postgraduate

Duration

1 year full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

Hybrid

Fees

Fee type for this course: Full fee

Location

City Tower

Next start date

16 February 2026

Application closes

08 February 2026

View all start dates

Overview

Take an important role in community development with leadership skills gained in real-world settings, by studying the Graduate Diploma in International Community Development at Victoria University.

This unique and practical postgraduate course offers you personalised education, specialising in community development at a local or international level.

The program is open to graduates with a bachelor degree, who wish to further their career in community development.

If you are already employed in community development and wish to advance your career, this program will give you the skills to achieve your goals.

You’ll gain expertise in key community development theories, building your knowledge and skills in these main areas:

community development theories and practices
project design
planning and management
social research and evaluation
understanding globalisation and its impacts on communities
peace and conflict resolution
building capacity and mobilising communities
advocacy of gender rights and human rights
leadership in community development
governance of international organisations.

This diploma is the second stage of three courses in our graduate program. Successful completion leads into our Master of International Community Development.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Interpret community development theoretical concepts and related knowledge to think critically on appropriate approaches to address sociocultural problems in contemporary societies;

Utilise critical analytical skills to interrogate and interpret different schools of thought on globalisation and development and their impacts on communities, including through critical engagement with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Deconstruct the role of civil society and grassroots social movements in relation to international community development;

Critique global and regional political structures, and their impact upon community development;

Creatively employ advanced skills in research and project management in international community development contexts.
: VU offers expertise and guidance in several specialised research areas. Progressing to our masters or higher research degree (doctorate) will bring you into contact with our vibrant and innovative research community.
Related research themes include community resilience, liveable and inclusive cities, cultural diversity and wellbeing, and community, identity and displacement.
The Community, Identity and Displacement Research Network (CIDRN) promotes research into displacement, identity, community and change, focused on Melbourne’s west.
: Our partnerships with educational, business and community organisations offer important research opportunities. We have agreements with other universities and NGOs, such as the National University of Timor Leste (UNTL). These give you fantastic options to learn and travel.
Students studying international development at VU have completed placements in the following countries:
Timor Leste
Fiji
Cambodia
Thailand
Malaysia
India
Bangladesh
Mauritius
Kenya
Botswana.
: If you’re aiming for a leadership, management or public-policy role, our Master of International Community Development will give you the qualifications and skills to get there.
VU offers flexible study options, with courses designed to lead into one another. Completing the Graduate Certificate in International Community Development gains you credit towards this diploma.
From there, you’ll gain entry with credit points to the Master of International Community Development – and you’ll already be halfway to completing the full masters degree.
: This program critically engages with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognising and supporting Victoria University values.
These include respecting cultural diversity and supporting lifelong learning.
VU’s Strategic Plan includes ‘An unwavering commitment to progressive inclusivity’ and further states that:
"It is our responsibility to respect and listen to Indigenous voices and standpoints, upholding and privileging self-determination, sovereignty and authority."

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your education, work experience, current skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a different course. We call this a ‘pathway’.

For PhD applicants, we offer a related ‘Integrated PhD’ which allows you to establish relevant skills before beginning your research.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

Entry criteria

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To complete the Graduate Diploma in International Community Development students will be required to complete 96 credit points consisting of the following:

72 credit points of Core Studies.
24 credit points of Elective Studies.

Units

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

Graduates of this course work in many related areas, including international humanitarian work and development aid.

Career possibilities include:

international and regional consultant in human rights, gender, poverty reduction and project evaluation
project manager with international, government and local organisations such as Australian Red Cross, Save the Children, Asylum Seekers Resource Centre
leaders and advisers in government
community development educator and trainer
journalist
activist
academic and researcher.

Salaries & job growth

Visit Jobs and Skills Australia to find the average salary for community workers.

With further study or experience, you could become a policy or planning manager. Visit Jobs and Skills Australia to find salary and job growth information for these roles.

VU stories

Making an impact in the community

Master of International Community Development

"My placement was a really great experience. It helped me to feel confident working in community development, and also gave me the opportunity to network."

Diana's story