Program Requirements

The Graduate Diploma of Science requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:

A minimum of 36 units from completion of 6000-level and 8000-level courses in any of the following subject areas:

ASTR Astronomy and Astrophysics

BIOL Biology

CHEM Chemistry

CHMD Culture, Health and Medicine

EMSC Earth and Marine Science

ENVS Environmental Science

MATH Mathematics

MEDN Medical Science

NEUR Neuroscience

PHYS Physics

POPH Population Health

POPM Population Mental Health Research

PSYC Psychology

SCNC Science

SCOM Science Communication

VCPG Vice-Chancellor Postgraduate

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent in a cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0/7.0.

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Cognate Disciplines: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Biology, Biological Anthropology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Marine Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Law, Forestry, Geography, Mathematics, Medicine, Medical Science, Microscopy, Medical Science, Neuroscience, Physics, Population Health, Psychology, Science Communication, Statistics, Sustainability Studies.

Ranking and English Language Proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of: 

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or
• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support

Diversity factors: As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.

Assessment of qualifications: Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.

 Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au

ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications

Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.

Cognate Disciplines

Astronomy, Astrophysics, Biology, Biological Anthropology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Marine Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Law, Forestry, Geography, Mathematics, Medicine, Medical Science, Microscopy, Medical Science, Neuroscience, Physics, Population Health, Psychology, Science Communication, Statistics, Sustainability Studies.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse, evaluate and transform information to complete a range of activities related to a specific science discipline
2. Critically analyse, generate and communicate solutions to complex problems in a science discipline
3. Communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to both specialist and general audiences in written and oral format.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.

Further Information

Please note that the Graduate Diploma of Science is used primarily as an exit program, however entry is possible. Please contact science.enquiries@anu.edu.au to discuss the program and be put in contact with the relevant area of study if the program is to be used as a pathway to further postgraduate study. This is also an opportunity to seek advice on how much credit might be transferred into the Master program as well as the application mechanism from the Grad Dip into the Master degree (eg via internal program transfer or re-application for admission).

General program information

Applicants should note that to undertake postgraduate study in many Science disciplines, background knowledge relevant to the discipline of interest is required. In most instances this is equivalent to 8 courses (an ANU major) in the relevant discipline (cognate area). A general indication of required background knowledge for courses in the disciplines below is provided for ease of reference:

• ASTR Astronomy and Astrophysics - a background in Physics and Maths is required, Astronomy is recommended.
• BIOL Biology - a background in Biology is required, and at least 1 year of Chemistry at a tertiary level is recommended.
• CHMD Culture, Health and Medicine - no prior knowledge is required.
• EMSC Earth and Marine Science - a background in Earth Sciences is recommended, as this is an interdisciplinary field some knowledge of Physics, Maths and Chemistry is also recommended.
• ENVS Environmental Science - a background in Environmental Science is strongly recommended. Please check individual courses for more details.
• MATH Mathematics - a background in Mathematics is required.
• MEDN Medical Science - a background in Biology and/or Medical Science studies is required plus, and at least 1 year of Chemistry at a tertiary level is recommended.
• NEUR Neuroscience - a background in Biology and/or Medical Science studies is required plus, and at least 1 year of Chemistry at a tertiary level is recommended.
• PHYS Physics - a background in Physics and Maths is required.
• PSYC Psychology - this program is not accredited with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
• POPH Population Health - no prior knowledge is required.
• SCOM Science Communication - no prior knowledge is required but some knowledge of Science and/or Science Communication is recommended.

Applicants are encouraged to check individual course information, including prerequisites and assumed knowledge. Admission to the program does not guarantee enrolment in a specific course. Enrolment in each course is subject to meeting individual course entry requirements. Course conveners reserve the right to request evidence that prerequisites and background knowledge has been met.

Please visit the ANU Programs & Courses catalogue to check class scheduling information and mode of delivery (online or in person).

GD Science - pathway to Masters

The Graduate Diploma of Science can be used as pathway to Masters study*. For information on potential destination Masters programs please check the Programs and Courses catalogue or, visit https://science.anu.edu.au/study/masters or https://health.anu.edu.au/study/masters . Students using this program as a pathway to a destinations Masters program are encouraged to seek academic advice from the CHM/CoS Students Services Office prior to finalising their application for admission, or at any time during the degree.

Pathway 1: Direct application to the destination Masters program upon completion of the Graduate Diploma

Students can apply to progress to a destination Masters degree if they satisfy the following conditions:

• They are about to complete or have completed the Graduate Diploma of Science.
• They are on track to satisfy the admission requirements for the intended Master program including all GPA and cognate requirements.

Note:

• Student should re-apply for admission to ANU through the relevant application portal.
• Students may be eligible to receive up to 48 units of credit from the Graduate Diploma of Science towards the destination Masters degree. This will depend on the program requirements of the destination Masters program and a case-by-case assessment by the program convener. Students should discuss credit with the convener of the destination Master degree when making enrolment choices for the Graduate Diploma.

Pathway 2: Degree transfer from the Graduate Diploma before completion of the Graduate Diploma

Students also have the option of applying for degree transfer into the destination Master program if they satisfy the following conditions:

• The overall GPA requirements for admission to the destination Masters degree are satisfied from a previous qualification, and
• The cognate requirements are satisfied, including any GPA requirements, and
• Any other requirements listed in the admissions requirements of the destination Master degree are also satisfied.

Note:

• Students may be eligible for credit for courses completed in the Graduate Diploma. This will depend on the program requirements of the destination Masters program and a case-by-case assessment by the program convener. Students should discuss credit with the convener of the destination Masters degree when making enrolment choices for the Graduate Diploma.
• Students that progress to Masters through degree transfer will not be awarded nor receive a testamur for the Graduate Diploma of Science. They will be invited to attend a conferral of award ceremony upon successful completion of their Masters degree and will receive a testamur for this qualification.

Credit for courses completed in the Graduate Diploma

The amount of credit awarded will depend on an assessment of prior study, relevant to the destination Masters degree and program orders of the destination Masters degree. This is done on a case-by-case basis by the program convener. Any credit applied will reduce the overall duration of the destination Masters program by an equivalent number of units.

*The Graduate Diploma of Science cannot be used as a pathway to postgraduate studies in Psychology at the ANU.

For more information on this program, please contact science.enquiries@anu.edu.au