Program Requirements

The Graduate Certificate of Science Communication requires the completion of 24 units, which must consist of:

24 units from the completion of courses from the following list:

POPH6115 Health Promotion and Protection (6 units)

SCOM6003 Science in Popular Fiction (6 units)

SCOM6006 Science and Humour (6 units)

SCOM6007 Science Communication Project Design and Delivery (6 units)

SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web (6 units)

SCOM6016 Science in the Media (6 units)

SCOM6027 Science Politics (6 units)

SCOM6029 Cross Cultural Perspectives in Science Communication (6 units)

SCOM6031 Science, Risk and Ethics (6 units)

SCOM6032 Making Modern Science (6 units)

SCOM6501 Strategies in Science Communication (6 units)

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public (6 units)

SCOM8019 Research Methods in Science Communication (6 units)

SCOM8088 Engagement for Policy Impact (6 units)

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present one of the following:

• Bachelor degree or international equivalent with GPA 4/7
• Graduate Diploma or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7
• Graduate Certificate or international equivalent with a GPA 4/7
• 24 units of courses in a postgraduate program with a GPA of 4/7
• Graduate Records Examination (GRE) General test, completed no more than 5 years before the time of application, with a minimum score of 155 for Verbal Reasoning, 155 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing and a minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program
• A minimum 5 years full-time equivalent work experience at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 in a field related to the program

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.

The program can be used as an exit pathway by domestic and international students.

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.

Alternate Admin Requirements

A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4/7.

All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students

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. Select appropriate qualitative and quantitative research tools and strategies to investigate, justify and interpret science communication theories, methods and conclusions.

2. Communicate science with diverse groups of people using different media.

3. Appraise and reflect upon the interaction of interests, contexts and people shaping science, including the social and ethical responsibilities of science and society in the modern world;

4. Exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Further Information

Mode of delivery:

This Graduate Certificate can be completed fully in person, fully online or as a combination of online and in person courses (multimodal). International students should note and abide by any conditions of their visa when enrolling. All students wishing to do this Graduate Certificate in online mode only should indicate this when applying for admission and should select courses that are scheduled for online delivery mode.

This program is CRICOS registered for international students who intend to come to Australia to study. Students studying online from their country of residence are not eligible for an EcoE.

General program information:

• This program is a standalone qualification but can also be used as pathway to further postgraduate study. For detailed information on potential destination Masters programs offered by the Australian National University please check the Programs and Courses catalogue or, for quick links to programs offered by the College of Science visit https://science.anu.edu.au/study/masters
• Students wanting to complete this program in the second half of the year must apply for Winter session commencement.
• Please visit the ANU Programs & Courses catalogue to check class scheduling information and mode of delivery (online or in person).
• Applicants should note that courses listed in the program requirements include Summer and Winter Session courses. When applying for admission, please ensure the correct admit term is selected.

GC Science Communication - pathway to Masters

The Graduate Certificate of Science Communication 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 destination 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 Certificate

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 Certificate of Science Communication.
• They are on track to satisfy the admission requirements for the intended Master program including all GPA and cognate requirements (8 relevant courses which may be achieved from multiple complete or non-complete qualifications).

Note:

• Student should re-apply for admission to ANU through the relevant application portal.
• Students may be eligible to receive up to 24 units of credit from the Graduate Certificate of Science Communication 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 Certificate.

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

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 Certificate. 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 Certificate.
• Students that progress to Masters through degree transfer will not be awarded nor receive a testamur for the Graduate Certificate of Science Communication. 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 Certificate

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.