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Postgraduate Coursework

Graduate Certificate of Accounting Studies

Not available to international students.

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This course is only available to International students and your preference is currently set to Domestic.

Key details

Duration

0.5 year/s full-time
1 year/s part-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer Semester
Important Dates

Locations

CDU Waterfront Darwin, Online
Not available to international students.

Credit points required

40

Course code

UACC01
SATAC codes

Overview

The Graduate Certificate of Accounting Studies will help you develop an understanding of accounting principles. This course articulates into the Graduate Diploma of Accounting Studies and the Master of Professional Accounting and can be your first step to an accounting career.



Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Accounting PG student at CDU

Why study accounting at CDU?

Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interest
Accounting PG student at CDU

Why study accounting at CDU?

Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.

  • Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interests
  • Placements available for some courses
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Accounting PG student at CDU

Why study accounting at CDU?

Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interest
Accounting PG student at CDU

Why study accounting at CDU?

Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.

  • Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interests
  • Placements available for some courses
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)

What will I study?

The course structure includes the compulsory study of an accounting principles unit to equip you with specific skills and knowledge to help you apply underlying theory and concepts in a professional or academic context. You will then be able to select your remaining units from a list of accounting and business units offered in the Master of Professional Accounting to support your career goals.

Course structure


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core 
(1 unit)
10cpCompulsory Core units totalling 10 credit points as detailed below.  

ACT501 Accounting Principles 
 

Specialist Elective

(3 units)

30cp

Specialist Elective Units totalling 30 credit points selected from the  below:

ACT502 Management Accounting 
ACT503 Corporate Accounting 
ACT504 Auditing 
ACT505 Accounting Theory 
ACT506 Accounting Information Systems 
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability 
FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance 
LAW511 Australian Tax Law 
LAW513 Corporate Law 
LAW514 Commercial Law 
STA510 Business Statistics

 40Total Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

Study plan


Students commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time or part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.

Full-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
ACT501 Accounting PrinciplesCO  
Specialist Elective 1SE  
Specialist Elective 2SE  
Specialist Elective 3SE  

Part-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
ACT501 Accounting Principles COSpecialist Elective 2SE
Specialist Elective 1 SESpecialist Elective 3SE

Specialist electives may be selected from the following:

Semester 1Semester 2
ACT502 Management AccountingACT502 Management Accounting
ACT503 Corporate AccountingACT503 Corporate Accounting
ACT504 AuditingACT504 Auditing
ACT505 Accounting TheoryACT505 Accounting Theory
ACT506 Accounting Information SystemsACT506 Accounting Information Systems
ECO505 Economics of SustainabilityECO505 Economics of Sustainability
 FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance
LAW511 Australian Tax LawLAW511 Australian Tax Law
 LAW513 Corporate Law
LAW514 Commercial LawLAW514 Commercial Law
STA510 Business StatisticsSTA510 Business Statistics


Students commencing in Semester 2

The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard full time or part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.

Full-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  ACT501 Accounting PrinciplesCO
  Specialist Elective 1SE
  Specialist Elective 2SE
  Specialist Elective 3SE


Part-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  ACT501 Accounting PrinciplesCO
  Specialist Elective 1SE
Year 2
Specialist Elective 2SE  
Specialist Elective 3SE  

Specialist electives may be selected from the following:

Semester 1Semester 2
ACT502 Management AccountingACT502 Management Accounting
ACT503 Corporate AccountingACT503 Corporate Accounting
ACT504 AuditingACT504 Auditing
ACT505 Accounting TheoryACT505 Accounting Theory
ACT506 Accounting Information SystemsACT506 Accounting Information Systems
ECO505 Economics of SustainabilityECO505 Economics of Sustainability
 FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance
LAW511 Australian Tax LawLAW511 Australian Tax Law
 LAW513 Corporate Law
LAW514 Commercial LawLAW514 Commercial Law
STA510 Business StatisticsSTA510 Business Statistics

 

Students Commencing in Summer Semester (part-time only)

The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in Summer Semester and enrolling in a standard part-time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.

Part-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2Summer Semester
Calendar Year 1
    ACT501 Accounting PrinciplesCO
    Specialist Elective 1 (ECO505)SE
Calendar Year 2
Specialist Elective 2 SE    
Specialist Elective 3 SE    

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised Bachelor degree in any discipline. Applicants who have fully satisfied the entry requirements of the accounting professional bodies are not eligible for entry. Consideration will be given to applicants who do not have one of the above qualifications, but have either:

  • a combination of postgraduate qualifications and relevant professional experience in accounting and finance roles; or
  • at least five years full time equivalent relevant professional experience in accounting and finance roles

Applicants applying with this pathway must provide further documentation detailing their employment experience (i.e. work experience certificate from an employer/s) and outlining their roles and achievements in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) and a statement of purpose. The statement of purpose should address why you would like to be admitted into the course, career goals and aspirations and benefits the course will provide you.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - International students   
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake)A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.  
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.  
 

I love CDU! The faculty staff give out such positive vibes, inspire you to work hard and cheer you on with every step you take.

Rafat

CDU student

rafat-portrait

I love CDU! The faculty staff give out such positive vibes, inspire you to work hard and cheer you on with every step you take.

Rafat

CDU student

rafat-portrait

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Graduate Certificate of Accounting Studies
Faculty/College
Faculty of Arts and Society
Sector
HE
Area of study
Accounting

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

Learn more about accounting at CDU

Rafat is a CDU Alumni from Bangladesh and studied a Master of Professional Accounting (Professional Practice). Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

Learn more about accounting at CDU

Rafat is a CDU Alumni from Bangladesh and studied a Master of Professional Accounting (Professional Practice). Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
CDU Waterfront Darwin (FF)
1GC565
Online (FF)
1GC565
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

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