Skip to content
Postgraduate

Graduate Diploma of Education (Commonwealth Supported) (Special & Inclusive Education)

Graduate Diploma of Education (Commonwealth Supported) (Special & Inclusive Education) (GDED)

Entry requirements
Study mode
  • Online
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 1 year or part-time equivalent
Start
  • Feb, May

Overview

  • UniSQ’s Graduate Diploma of Education (Special and Inclusive Education) extends your specialist knowledge, experience and skills required to work within education settings, facilitating the inclusion of all learners, particularly those with disabilities and additional learning needs. 
  • Enhance your role in a range of specialised contexts applying contemporary, evidence-based pedagogies, whether in your own practice and/or supporting general education teachers to develop and implement individualised programs for students with diverse learning needs. 
  • Study in the areas of wellbeing promotion; trauma, behaviour and learning; functional behaviour assessment; neurodiversity and autism; differentiation; learning difficulties: mathematics; learning difficulties: reading; and multi-tiered learning design within special and inclusive education contexts
  • This specialisation does not qualify you for teacher registration in Queensland. You can qualify for teacher registration in Queensland with the Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years), Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) or Master of Learning and Teaching (Secondary).

Further study

Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Education (Special and Inclusive Education) will qualify you to apply for the Master of Education.

Career outcomes

  • Upon graduation you will be well prepared to develop and implement individualised programs for students with diverse learning needs. 
  • Career outcomes include classroom and leadership opportunities within special and inclusive education in mainstream schools. 
  • Career opportunities may also be pursued within the disability sector, training sector, human services and community-based government organisations. 

Entry requirements

  • An Australian university bachelor degree, or equivalent, in an education-related discipline.

English language requirements

You are required to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study with our English language partner, the Union Institute of Language (UIL).

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

  • Graduate Certificate of Education (Special and Inclusive Education)
  • Degree structure

    To complete this degree students must complete 8 units.

    Courses to be studied Units
    8 x specialisation courses 8
    Total 8

    Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for an example of courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

    Fees and scholarships

    Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

    Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

    Study Mode Cost
    Commonwealth supported

    The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

    AUD 4445
    Domestic full fee paying

    You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

    AUD 23600

    1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

    Student services and amenities fees

    You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

    Loan to help you pay your fees

    You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

    You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

    Scholarships

    At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

    How to apply

    Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

    Intakes

    You can select to start your study in Trimester 1 or 2.

    Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
    Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
    Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August

    More information on applying key dates is available.

    Further information

    Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

    Two men collaborating at a computer workstation in an office environment.

    Got questions?

     

    Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

    *Good Universities Guide 2025

    Talk to us