About

Overview

The Graduate Certificate of Science (Astronomy) is an online course suited to students who have a broad-ranging knowledge of contemporary astronomy. The course provides individuals with the necessary academic knowledge and science communication skills across astronomy and its related fields. Upon graduating, students may seek advanced employment opportunities in teaching, working in observatories, science centres, and museums.

Check the Graduate Certificate of Science (Astronomy) course handbook

Get a copy of our course guide

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Requirements

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

Standard entry

A recognised Bachelor degree (AQF level 7 or 8 or equivalent) in a cognate discipline aligned to astronomy and/or astronomy-related fields, within:

mathematical sciences
physics and astronomy
earth sciences
computer science
information systems
aerospace engineering and technology
radiology
optical science
radiography
other cognate disciplines assessed to be appropriate.

Non-standard entry

Applicants with relevant astronomy or astronomy-related experience* (minimum of three years) will be considered for entry.

* Relevant industry experience: If this includes work experience, documents substantiating work experience need to be provided on company letterhead and clearly detail roles as well as duties and duration of posts held.

Standard entry

A recognised Bachelor degree (AQF level 7 or 8 or equivalent) in a cognate discipline aligned to astronomy and/or astronomy-related fields, within:

mathematical sciences
physics and astronomy
earth sciences
computer science
information systems
aerospace engineering and technology
radiology
optical science
radiography
other cognate disciplines assessed to be appropriate.

Non-standard entry

Applicants with relevant astronomy or astronomy-related experience* (minimum of three years) will be considered for entry.

* Relevant industry experience: If this includes work experience, documents substantiating work experience need to be provided on company letterhead and clearly detail roles as well as duties and duration of posts held.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English Requirements

PTEMin 58
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 79

English Program Requirements

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Career

Stretch your career further

Astronomy related science communication
Pathway to further learning

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Fee Information

How to Apply

To apply online, you will need these supporting documents

Certified copies of your previous academic results.
Certified English language proficiency test results (IELTS, PTE or TOEFL).
Letters from your school or employer.
If you do not meet the Year 12 design prerequisite a portfolio will need to be submitted for assessment (except for the Swinburne Foundation Year (Design)).
A Statement of Activity if there is a gap in study (for example, if you graduated secondary education in 2017 and are applying for one of our courses in 2019, we will require a written statement of what you have been doing in 2018).

If you are applying for credit, you must include course outlines and translated (English) copies (if required) from your previous or current course.