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Graduate Diploma in International Community Development

Details for Australian residents

View details for International students.

You are considered an Australian resident (domestic student) if you:
  • Are an Australian or New Zealand citizen; or
  • Are an Australian permanent resident; or
  • Hold a permanent Australian humanitarian visa
You are considered an international student if you:

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Course essentials

Take the leading role in community development and get involved in social and economic change, human rights, and sustainable development and at a global or local level.

You will gain an understanding of key community development theories and practical skills to work as research-orientated practitioners in Australia and overseas.

Learn about international project design, social research and evaluation, globalisation, leadership in community development and governance of international organisations.

You will also have the opportunity to develop real-world experience through placements within Australia and overseas so that you graduate work-ready.

We have agreements with other universities and non government organisations, such as the National University of Timor Leste (UNTL) which enrich our program with benefits like a study tour unit to East Timor.

This graduate diploma is the second stage of a nested suite of three courses that make up the Master of International Community Development.

Successful completion of this course will lead you to admission into our Master of International Community Development.

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How to apply

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications due 30 November 2016.

Already a VU student?

To transfer into this course from another apply online at our Admissions centre.

Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

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Careers

Graduates of this course can work in a diverse range of fields including international humanitarian and development aid.

This course could lead to a career as an:

  • international consultant (in areas of human rights, gender, poverty reduction and project evaluation)
  • international project manager (eg. Australian Red Cross and World Vision)
  • government employee (eg. local and federal government)
  • community development educator
  • international project manager
  • journalist
  • researcher.
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Study pathways

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

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Course objectives

Graduates of this course will be able to:

  1. Interpret and debate multidisciplinary theoretical perspectives, analyse and problem solve in international and local community development;
  2. Justify and review global and regional institutions, structures, challenges and trends and their impacts on development in the developing world as well as industrialised regions;
  3. Critically review different schools of thought on globalisation and development and their impacts on communities;
  4. Demonstrate critical analytical skills as well as effective communication in writing and other means to interrogate, interpret and debate key theories and academic concepts;
  5. Creatively design and develop ethical research project proposals that address social responsibility and sustainability of community development; and
  6. Apply knowledge, principles and theoretical frameworks to frame and inform practice as a reflective practitioner.

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Course structure

The Graduate Diploma in International Community Development (AGID) is a 96 credit points, 12 months full-time award which may be studied in part-time mode.

The course has three main components:

1. Five foundational (or core) units

2. Three elective units chosen from three specialisations:
• Contextual units focusing on particular world regions;
• Skills and professional interests units; or
• Field, community and workplace experiential units.

Elective units may be available during summer and winter semesters to give students the options of fast tracking their studies.

Year 1, Semester 1

Plus one elective unit:

Year 1, Semester 2

Plus two elective units

Recommended Electives

Please note that only a selection of these electives will be offered each semester

Electives focusing on regional and contextual studies

Electives focusing on specific area of studies and skill sets

ELECTIVE WITH STRONG EMPHASIS ON LiWC

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What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

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Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course.

Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

  • International: Applicants with a Bachelor degree and above (AQF Level 7 awards) of any discipline
    Applicants with Bachelor degree in community development or social work can apply for Advanced Standing for up to 4 units (48 credit points). IELTS minimum 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) or equivalent.
  • Mature: Applicants with a Bachelor degree and above (AQF Level 7 awards) of any discipline
    Applicants with Bachelor degree in community development or social work can apply for Advanced Standing for up to 4 units (48 credit points).
  • Other: Applicants with a Bachelor degree and above (AQF Level 7 awards) of any discipline.
    Applicants with Bachelor degree in community development or social work can apply for Advanced Standing for up to 4 units (48 credit points).
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How to apply for this course

Before applying:

Consider whether you also wish to apply for:

When you're ready:

Apply direct to VU

You will need to create an account (or use your existing VU one).

Direct applications due 30 November 2016.

After you apply:

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (remember to check your Spam folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

You can also contact us directly:

  • Ring us on +61 3 9919 6100
  • Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Use our Admissions centre to

  • Save incomplete applications to finish later
  • Submit applications for one or more courses
  • Track the progress of your applications
  • Upload any additional information we request
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Enquire now

Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.

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At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.

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