Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) program

The Victorian Government is offering places to teachers and regional workforce employees to complete postgraduate study in learning difficulties. Application round 3 is now closed.

Application round 3 is now closed.

Program overview

The Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) is delivered for the department by Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne.

Designed for practising teachers, the course aims to deepen the disciplinary knowledge and pedagogical practice of teachers, so they have the skills, expertise, and confidence to meet the needs of all students, including students with dyslexia and dyscalculia, through contemporary, evidence-based strategies and fidelity of practice.

Undertaking postgraduate study in inclusive education can give school-based and regional recipients the capability and confidence to assist their school to:

  • plan for and support students with a disability and diverse educational needs
  • use contemporary evidence-based, best practice approaches.

The course will develop program recipients' understanding of learning difficulties and the interactions between different types of learning difficulties, including dyslexia and dyscalculia.

Each subject runs for 12 weeks and includes 4 online synchronous teaching days combined with self-directed reading and assignment work to be completed online. These are scheduled on weekends (Saturday or Sunday), ensuring recipients can balance study commitments with work and personal responsibilities.

Visit Faculty of Education's course page Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) - The University of Melbourne (unimelb.edu.au) for detailed subject descriptions and intended learning outcomes.

Visit Q&A: The University of Melbourne - Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) to view an on-demand Q&A webinar with Faculty of Education.

Successful applicants will start studying in Semester 2 (July) 2024 and complete the course part-time over 12 or 24 months. No casual relief teacher provision is required as this course has no practicum component.

Eligibility

For the program to have the broadest impact, schools that have not previously been awarded a scholarship from previous rounds will be prioritised. In addition, please note the following:

  • additional scholarships will be provided to schools with multiple campuses (1 per campus)
  • additional scholarships with be provided to schools with student enrolments greater than 500 (1 per 500). Where a school has over 750 students and less than 1,000, an additional scholarship can be expended.
  • The program has committed to providing 2 scholarships per Specialist and Supported Inclusion School

Teachers currently practising in all Victorian government schools and regional workforce employees wishing to enhance their knowledge in inclusive education and continue supporting students of all abilities are eligible to apply for this postgraduate opportunity.

Teachers keen to apply for the course should discuss their interest with their principal before applying. Principal class workforce are also encouraged to apply for the program to disseminate their acquired knowledge among other staff members.

To avoid disappointment, please contact the IESU to ensure your school is eligible for a scholarship in Round 3 as your school may already have a recipient from the program (current or completed).

Regional workforces must obtain support and endorsement from respective managers and Executive Director Student Wellbeing and Engagement via a regional nomination process. Please contact your manager to discuss your application.

All prospective applicants must have full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

Before applying

Please consider scholarship obligations below:

The Department of Education has made a significant financial investment in capability-building for schools and regional workforces to build the skills and knowledge of inclusive education to better support the needs of all students. Financial obligations for successful applicants are clearly outlined on the program webpage, in the guidelines and the application form.

If you are unable to meet the program employment and financial obligations, you will be required to repay to the department the course fees associated with the course/subjects taken, regardless of whether you have passed or failed. See the Debt Recovery policy in the program guidelines.

The cost of the courses through the program are provided below - please take note of the cost associated with courses offered as you will be required to repay the course fees if you are unable to adhere to the program obligations.

UniversityCourse SubjectsCourse CostCost per subject
University of MelbourneGraduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties)4$12,320$3,080

Employment and financial obligations:

  • If the recipient chooses to withdraw from a unit of study post-census, they will be liable for costs associated with re-enrolment of that unit.
  • If the recipient chooses to withdraw from the course entirely, they will be liable for the repayment of costs associated with units already engaged (passed or failed).
  • If the recipient voluntarily ceases to be employed by the department while studying or during the 2 years post completion, then the recipient must re-pay the department the course fees paid on their behalf.
  • During study or within 2 years post completion, if the recipient/graduate moves into a role that does not support students with a disability or additional learning needs, or that works with schools to strengthen inclusive practices, they will be deemed ineligible and required to repay the funds.
  • Please ensure you consider carefully whether this is the right course for you and your school.

General recipient obligations:

  • Recipients have 2 years to complete their course while studying part-time.
  • If a recipient changes roles, schools, or chooses to change their enrolment status (defer, intermission, withdraw, etc.), they must contact the Inclusive Education Scholarships Unit for approval.
  • Recipients are not able to defer Semester 2, 2024 of study as this will render them ineligible.

How to apply

Applicants are advised to discuss their study plans early with their principal/manager to clarify alignment with school and regional strategic priorities for inclusive education.

More details about eligibility criteria, recipient obligations, and how to apply are available in the current round application guidelines (accessible below).

Guidelines for round 3, 2024

GCE Application Guidelines for Round 3, 2024 (PDF, 595.5 KB)

GCE Application Guidelines for Round 3, 2024 (DOCX, 1.08 MB)

Successful applicants

The IESU will announce outcomes on Friday 19 April via email and successful applicants will be provided with a ‘provisional place’. If an applicant is successful, they will need to apply through the University of Melbourne and meet the admission requirements of the course. To finalise your placement with the department, successful applicants will need to provide the IESU with specific documentation located in their induction pack.

Support available

The support given to recipients includes:

  • full tuition fees*
  • allowance of 2 years to complete the course.

* The department funds full tuition fees associated with all courses on offer. However, if a recipient does not meet the program employment and financial obligations, they will be required to repay fees associated with the course.

See what motivated teachers to participate

Relevant professional learning

Interested in getting a head start on understanding learning difficulties?

Check out the department's Learning Difficulties webpages.

Or explore these modules in the Inclusive Classrooms Professional Learning Catalogue:

Additional postgraduate study opportunities available

Through the Master of Inclusive Education Program, teachers can make a significant contribution to how their schools plan and support students with disabilities and additional learning needs, using contemporary evidence-based, best practice approaches.

For more information, visit Master of Inclusive Education program | Schools Vic.

Contact the Inclusive Education Scholarships Unit

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