Graduate Certificate of Information Systems

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Information Systems
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Length	0.5 year full-time
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$22,100 AUD
CRICOS code	052305G Burwood (Melbourne)
Level	Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
Deakin course code	M522
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Information systems play a vital role in contemporary business and practitioners with skills in this area are in high demand. Take your understanding of information systems and commerce to the next level with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Information Systems.

Are you looking to add information systems knowledge to your skill set?

Designed as an introductory course for professionals working in business and government, you will gain a strong technical background in specific areas of eBusiness and supply chain management.

Whether you’re a graduate of business, management, marketing, social policy or public administration, you can increase your employability with our Graduate Certificate of Information Systems.

Considering further study? This course is a pathway to the Master of Information Systems.

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Fees and charges

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year in which 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 you have.

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. 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 tuition fees.

Career opportunities

The Graduate Certificate provides foundational skills that can lead to roles such as:

business analyst
systems analyst
IT consultant

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate advanced knowledge needed to perform duties as a highly skilled information systems professional within an organisation or social setting
Communication	Effectively transmit models, frameworks and management theory to both specialists and non-specialists
Digital literacy	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award
Critical thinking	Apply critical thinking relative to complex information systems settings
Problem solving	Formulate and recommend well developed solutions based on organisational needs and a critical evaluation of alternatives
Self-management	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award
Teamwork	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award
Global citizenship	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Information Systems, you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
2 credit points of core units
2 credit points of course elective units

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Core units

MIS770

Foundation Skills in Data Analysis

MIS782

Value of Information

Course electives

Select two credit points from the following units:

MIS701

Digital Business Analysis

MIS761

Cyber Security Strategies

MIS781

Business Intelligence and Database

SIT718

Real World Analytics

Recommended units for students wishing to progress to the Master of Information Systems:

MIS770 Foundation Skills in Data Analysis
MIS782 Value of Information
MIS701 Business Requirement Analysis
MIS761 Cybersecurity Strategies

Admission criteria

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 or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

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.

Pathways

This course can be a pathway to:

Master of Information Systems (M722)

Credit for prior learning - general

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

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.

Further study

M722 Master of Information Systems

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Work experience

This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.