Postgraduate diploma
A postgraduate diploma is designed to extend and deepen a candidate's knowledge and skills by building on their accomplishments in the principal subject/s of the qualifying degree. It provides a systematic and coherent survey of current thinking and research in a particular body of knowledge and may include instruction in the relevant research methodologies.A candidate for a postgraduate diploma in a specified subject or, where appropriate, a related area will normally have completed all requirements of a relevant bachelor degree. A provider may admit a person who has completed all requirements of the bachelor degree with honours in a related subject, or who is deemed to have acquired the relevant skills and knowledge through appropriate work or professional experience.
A graduate with a postgraduate diploma qualification is able to:
- engage in self-directed learning and advanced study
- demonstrate intellectual independence, analytic application and the ability to understand and evaluate new knowledge and ideas
- demonstrate the ability to identify topics for original research, plan and conduct research, analyse results and communicate the findings to the satisfaction of subject experts.
The postgraduate diploma requires a minimum of 120 credits from level 7 and above with a minimum of 72 credits from level 8.
A postgraduate diploma may be awarded with distinction. It prepares a candidate for independent research and scholarship in the principal subject of the diploma. A person who holds a postgraduate diploma may be enrolled for a master's or doctoral degree.