Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics
You’ll become familiar with statistical software packages such as R and IBM SPSS, learn best-practice methods for research design, and develop your data analysis skills. You’ll build your problem-solving capability by working with real-life data and completing group activities.
This qualification is well suited to graduates of other disciplines or those who need to use statistics in their role but haven’t had formal applied statistics training. Your skills can be applied to a wide range of disciplines and industries, including market research, business, sports and health.
Did you know? This is a government subsidised short course as part of the Job-ready Graduates Package. You may be able to access a Commonwealth Supported Place.
Duration
6 months full-time or equivalent part-time
Intakes
Online (Study Period 1, Study Period 3) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Online
2023 Start Dates
2024 Start Dates
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
This course is designed for graduates in any discipline, especially for humanities, social sciences, health sciences, information systems and business graduates who have a professional interest in the use of statistics. It is also applicable to other graduates who have a need to use statistics in their work but have not had sufficient experience with applied statistics. It concentrates on practical skills and enables participants to broaden their theoretical and practical knowledge in the basic areas of statistics.
Course structure
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics is 25 credit points (normally two units)
Units of study
* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- Apply critical thinking skills to review, analyse and consolidate statistical knowledge to provide solutions to complex problems in diverse fields
- Synthesise communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical statistical concepts to transfer knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences
- Defend the application of statistical knowledge and skills to make independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts
- Interpret and report statistical results accurately.

Graduate skills
The Swinburne graduate attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas and have an ability to engage in critical enquiry
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- effective and ethical in work, community situations and reasoning skills
- adaptable and able to manage change
- aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. sociocultural, economic, natural).
Pathways and scholarships
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Entry requirements
- A recognised 3 year bachelor degree; or
- 5 years (minimum) relevant industry experience*