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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March
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Duration
1 year part-time
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Location
Online
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Placement
No
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ATAR
Not applicable
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Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
GradCertCircEcon
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Course code
1008150
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Credit points
48
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Equivalent units
4
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
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Start Date
-
Duration
0.5 years full-time
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Location
-
Placement
No
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ATAR
Not applicable
-
Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
GradCertCircEcon
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Course code
1008150
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Credit points
48
-
Equivalent units
4
-
Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
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CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
Ready to be an agent of change in your industry? The Graduate Certificate in Circular Economy will provide you with the expertise to implement sustainable strategies focused on waste reduction, product recycling and nature regeneration, enhancing both resource recovery and the financial performance of industries or organisations.
Circular economy involves the adoption of sustainable practices to create commercial value and ethical practice. It involves the management of resources to reduce waste and recycle products while increasing revenue and contributing to nature positive objectives.
Students will explore circular economy principles, innovative design frameworks, enabling technologies, appropriate target setting, measuring progress towards circularity and effective sustainability reporting. The course culminates in the creation of a business plan and implementation plan for a circular transformation within a chosen industry or organisation.
The course develops culturally appropriate leadership, collaboration, and change-making skills, preparing graduates to implement and advocate for circular solutions that address global sustainability challenges within regulatory framework.
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"The circular economy is flipping the conventional approach to waste. The idea is that there is no waste, just different materials with different purposes. By unlocking the value of a material from one phase of use to another, it enables a model for commercially sustainable and regenerative resource use and re-use."
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour CLO1: critically evaluate key concepts underpinning the circular economy paradigm in the context of Australian and international drivers, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, regulatory frameworks, and Indigenous knowledge principles CLO3: integrate circular economy concepts and tools into organisational strategy and operations by setting appropriate targets, identifying enabling technologies and methodologies, implementing practical actions, and measuring progress towards circularity CLO6: create and communicate a persuasive strategy for a transition to circularity within your organisation or industry |
GA2: Creativity CLO2: create opportunities to implement circular economy initiatives in your industry or organisation by engaging with relevant stakeholders and using design thinking to develop ethical and sustainable products, services, or business models |
GA3: Ethical practice CLO1: critically evaluate key concepts underpinning the circular economy paradigm in the context of Australian and international drivers, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, regulatory frameworks, and Indigenous knowledge principles CLO2: create opportunities to implement circular economy initiatives in your industry or organisation by engaging with relevant stakeholders and using design thinking to develop ethical and sustainable products, services, or business models |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline CLO1: critically evaluate key concepts underpinning the circular economy paradigm in the context of Australian and international drivers, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, regulatory frameworks, and Indigenous knowledge principles CLO3: integrate circular economy concepts and tools into organisational strategy and operations by setting appropriate targets, identifying enabling technologies and methodologies, implementing practical actions, and measuring progress towards circularity CLO5: communicate about circular economy issues, initiatives and outcomes with managers, clients and other stakeholders |
GA5: Lifelong learning CLO3: integrate circular economy concepts and tools into organisational strategy and operations by setting appropriate targets, identifying enabling technologies and methodologies, implementing practical actions, and measuring progress towards circularity |
GA6: Communication and social skills CLO2: create opportunities to implement circular economy initiatives in your industry or organisation by engaging with relevant stakeholders and using design thinking to develop ethical and sustainable products, services, or business models CLO4: employ culturally appropriate change-maker, collaboration and leadership skills to enable business transformation based on industry-specific circular solutions and practices CLO5: communicate about circular economy issues, initiatives and outcomes with managers, clients and other stakeholders CLO6: create and communicate a persuasive strategy for a transition to circularity within your organisation or industry |
GA7: Cultural competence CLO1: critically evaluate key concepts underpinning the circular economy paradigm in the context of Australian and international drivers, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, regulatory frameworks, and Indigenous knowledge principles CLO4: employ culturally appropriate change-maker, collaboration and leadership skills to enable business transformation based on industry-specific circular solutions and practices |
Students will study four (4) core units including:
- Circular Economy Principles and Drivers
- Designing for Circularity
- Measuring and Reporting on Circularity
- Implementing Circular Solutions.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Online | Term 1 |
Career Outcomes
Graduates will be well-equipped with the skills to step into professional roles related to the implementation of circular economies across a broad range of organisations and industries.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Listening | minimum 6.0 |
| Speaking | minimum 6.0 |
| Reading | minimum 6.0 |
| Writing | minimum 6.0 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate of Education students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.
Other things to consider
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
Course structure
Why study Circular Economy at Southern Cross University
Global leader in Science
We're ranked in the top 150 universities for oceanography and top 500 for earth sciences and biological sciences
Global Rankings of Academic Subjects (Shanghai Rankings) 2024Backed by research
Our ZeroWaste Research Impact Cluster is developing solutions for our global waste problem
Learn more5 stars for postgraduate study
We're rated 5-stars for postgraduate student support and full-time employment
Good Universities Guide 2025Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Apply now
Preparing to apply
- Check requirements
- Get supporting documents ready
- Choose where and when from the available options
Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
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Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
Find a pathway