Community development

Launch a meaningful career in community welfare, or extend your professional skills into public policy. Victoria University specialises in community development, from diploma to postgraduate studies.

Courses in community development

Undergraduate (entry-level university courses)

University study undertaken before you graduate with a degree (up to including a bachelor with honours).

Bachelor of Community Development
ABCD | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years full time or longer for part time
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
ABCJ | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years full time or longer for part time
Bachelor of Youth Work and Criminal Justice
ABYC | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years full time or longer for part time

Why choose VU

Studying community development at VU

3 young adults pose on a beach with group of Polynesian kids, smiling
Get real-world experience with an industry placement
During 400 hours of placement, Bachelor of Community Development students learn in local or overseas NGOs, not-for-profits, community groups and government services.
Young African-Australian woman in a hijab speaks into a microphone in a large auditorium
Working with our community
We are committed to working with our communities to find local solutions to challenging social and environmental problems.
Older white man with beard stands talking and smiling in a workshop setting
Find your path into community development
If you don’t yet meet the entry requirements to get into your chosen arts course, we'll get you where you need to be with our study pathways.

Career outcomes

Our graduates find employment opportunities across the following sectors:

  • government (local, state and federal)
  • non-government organisations (NGOs)
  • not-for-profit companies
  • private companies.

VU stories

Pragya Kapil.
Trading commerce for community development
Master of International Community Development
"My absolute favourite part of the course is meeting people who come from all corners of the world to share their experiences – their stories light up every conversation in class."
My absolute favourite part of the course is meeting people who come from all corners of the world to share their experiences – their stories light up every conversation in class.
Pragya's story
Deruka Dekuek
How VU helped me achieve my goal of helping others
Community Development
"VU laid the foundations for my current success, and shaped me to be who I am today."
VU laid the foundations for my current success, and shaped me to be who I am today.
Read Deruka's story
Angelo Monizjong.
A global community in the classroom
Master of International Community Development
"My lecturers all have experience working in developing countries around the world. They bring incredible experience to our coursework, so we're connected to the industry from day one."
My lecturers all have experience working in developing countries around the world. They bring incredible experience to our coursework, so we're connected to the industry from day one.
Angelo's VU experience

Related interests

Communication

Community services

Creative arts

Criminal justice & criminology

Digital media

Music

Psychology

Screen media

Social work

Youth work

Back to Arts & humanities

See also

three young student sit smiling on a sunny campus lawn
Study at VU
Three happy students, or various ethnicity, smile and talk at a modern campus courtyard
Why choose VU
Two Singh students in turbans with backpacks in a crowded courtyard smile at the camera
Life at VU
VU's imposing City Tower, behind traditional buildings and trees
Campuses

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