Graduate Diploma of Project Management
Course Overview
The Australian Institute of Higher Education (AIH) Graduate Diploma of Project Management is embedded in the Master of Project Management and has been designed as an exit qualification and an alternative pathway to further study in the Master level qualification.
The course is designed to meet the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) principles and standards. It equips students with the skills needed for paraprofessionals of executive and management roles in any business with proficient project management skills and further study at the postgraduate level.
The course is underpinned by business and leadership core units such as people, culture & agile leadership; communications and negotiations; and organisational change management, and as such, reflect the AIH’s Graduate Attributes. The course also consists of specialised project management units to further enhance the in-depth knowledge and skills in project management principles; organisational context and roles in project management; project management tools and techniques; contracts management and ethics; project management tools and techniques and contracts management and ethics.
The course consists of one project-based unit, a minor industry project that will provide students with a hands-on practical learning experience. The project-based unit is designed to facilitate project-integrated learning in a simulated workplace and will test the students’ ability to initiate a project as a minor industry project unit.
Within the Graduate Diploma of Project Management is a nested exit qualification Graduate Certificate of Project Management.
Nested Qualification and Exit Awards
- Graduate Certificate of Project Management– (6 months full-time)
Key information
CRICOS Code: 111562J
Duration:
1 year full time
AQF level:
8
Campus:
– Sydney
– Melbourne
Course Intakes:
February, March, May, June, August, September, October, November
Student:
Domestic and International
Credit points per unit:
10
Total Credit Points
required for award:
80
Fees
2024
2025
Course tuition Fee
Over 1 year
$21,250
$22,320
Fee per unit:
$2,656
$2,790
All fees and charges listed are in Australian dollars. Fees are subject to change without notice. Course fees are to be paid in full before enrolment/selection of subjects in any given semester. AIH ensures that the conditions and processes for international and domestic students to apply for a refund of tuition fees are equitable and comply with government regulations. Refer to Refund Policy for International and Domestic Students.
What you will learn
Study Hours
As a student, you will need to allocate time to attend classes. Generally, if you are studying full-time, you will have 12 hours of classes each week (for 4 units), on-campus. In addition, you will need to set aside approximately 7-9 hours per week for each unit in your own time to complete assignments, readings, projects, workshop preparation and to prepare for tests and exams.
Assessment
Your studies at AIH will encompass practical, professionally focused, and project-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include (the list is not exhaustive):
- Individual and team-based projects
- Case studies and presentations
- Essays, assignments and reports
- Exams
- Practical assessments
- Discussion forums
- Participation in class including formative assessment activities
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a thorough applied knowledge and skills of important concepts and practices to implement and manage projects with industry relevance.
- Propose innovative project management solutions to complex business problems.
- Analyse the effectiveness of project management based on a range of information sources and concepts in order to identify risks and opportunities in the business environment.
- Demonstrate and apply the knowledge of concepts and practices, tools and skills to manage and implement projects ethically and sustainably.
- Develop leadership, management and interpersonal skills required when working on a consulting or other projects independently and in teams.
- Apply well-researched project management practices and systems for relevant stakeholders.
Knowledge
Graduates at this level will have advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge in one or more disciplines or areas of practice.
Skills
Graduates at this level will have expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills in a body of knowledge or practice to independently:
- analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories
- research and apply established theories to a body of knowledge or practice
- interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Application
Graduates at this level will apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner or learner.
Units you will study
Structure
To complete the diploma, you will need to pass 8 Units. This consists of 6 core units and 2 specialisation units.
Level 4000 (AQF 8)
MBA4002 Communication and Negotiations
Unit Description:
Working in a global, cross-cultural role requires effective communication with individuals and groups from different parts of the world. The success of a leader depends on his or her ability to work effectively with people who may understand and react to situations differently. Therefore, the ability to communicate and negotiate effectively is a foundational skill for professionals of every type and industry. Everyone negotiates frequently with internal and external customers, suppliers, employees, department leaders, bosses and more.
This unit will allow students to communicate more effectively, identify negotiation opportunities, address conflicts and gain an understanding of the unique challenges that exist when individuals, groups and organisations face potential or existing conflict through the exploration of a broad spectrum of negotiation strategies, new tactics to solve ongoing differences and models for securing cooperation and agreement in competitive environments.
MBA4004 People, Culture and Agile Leadership
Unit Description:
The aim of this unit is to develop a student’s understanding of the influence culture, politics and power have on the behaviour of others in an organisational context. Students will understand the key influences which affect the behaviuour of individuals and teams within organisations, and how these in turn affect them.
This will be achieved through a strong appreciation of working in a team, having a more profound perspective of what makes people and organisations do what they do, and how to adjust one’s own behaviour to reflect the circumstances and situation. Students will be able to undertake the Clifton Strengths Finder Assessment to help them gain security when working as part of a team.
They will be introduced to agile leadership so that they become aware that leading through difficult times requires agility to leverage, not react to, the turbulence around them, and manage their teams, networks, and themselves by cultivating a flexible, responsive and collaborative culture at work.
MPM4001 Organisational Context and Roles in Project Management
Unit Description:
In project management, understanding the importance and relationship between organisational context and projects is paramount.
In this unit, students will learn the internal and external organisational context in which projects are formed, executed, supported and evaluated. Engagement with project stakeholders and the impact organisational context has on defining the roles, responsibilities and level of collaboration required by a project team for successful project delivery will also be discussed.
MPM4003 Project Management Principles
Unit Description:
Providing insights and principles of best practices in project management, this unit offers clear methods and an overview of standards associated with successful project management. Essential in today’s project-driven world,
the unit will equip students with the relevant skills to meet the demands of projects and employers from across the globe. Tools, techniques and skills will be explored as well as the language used by practitioners as recognised by
the relevant professional bodies such as the Project Management Institute and the Australian Institute of Project Management.
With a focus on contemporary issues facing organisations, students will explore a range of steps in the project management process and develop the skill set, insight and knowledge to professionally manage a range of projects with ease.
Exit Point: Graduate Certificate of Project Management
MPM4002 Project Management Domains (Tools and Techniques)
Unit Description:
Project management domains are a group of related activities that are critical for the effective delivery of project outcomes. As project management can be a complex task consisting of many challenging domains, project tools and techniques assist project managers to successfully plan, monitor and deliver projects within the required timeframes.
In this unit, students will learn the tools and techniques available for project management including an understanding of their purpose, when they can be used and the desired results they provide. As no project is similar, students will also learn how to identify and select the most effective tools and techniques based on the project domains and desired project outcomes.
MBA4005 Organisation Change Management
Unit Description:
The aim of this unit is to prepare students to anticipate, plan and deliver organisational change. In addition, students will be able to predetermine appropriate and timely interventions required to maximise the benefits and minimise the risk of organisational change. Through the use of ad-hoc simulations they will: Practice diagnostic, identifying/analysing situations which require organisational change and action-planning skills with regard to leading organisation-wide strategic change. Gain insight into why individuals might resist change and how to overcome that resistance. Develop an appreciation for contextual contingencies when implementing change, such as the power of the change agent and the urgency to produce results. Identify common missteps of change agents and how to avoid them.
MPM4005 Minor Corporate Study - Initiation of a Project
Unit Description:
This unit focuses on the aspects of project initiation. Students will go through the actions involved in project initiation such as the selection of the project manager, collection of project historical information, division of large
project into phases, identification of stakeholders their influences and expectations. Determination of initial constraints, assumptions and risks. Collection of agreements. Students will also explore how the organisation does business and what governance, procedures and policies are already in place to use on the project. Through practical exercises created to develop project management skills, students will acquire a greater understanding of successful project initiation and develop a range of specialised competencies.
MPM4004 Contracts Management and Ethics
Unit Description:
Contracts and contract management are a critical components in a project manager’s role and ability to deliver on a project successfully. This unit aims to introduce the fundamentals of contract management and ethics as it relates to project management. Students will develop an understanding of the various contracts that are available and the processes to follow to identify and select the right contract for a project. Contract terms and conditions, potential issues, and ethical considerations will be discussed, providing students with the confidence to use contracts and avoid potential risks and conflicts.
Exit Point: Graduate Diploma of Project Management
What you will achieve
- Acquire an advanced command of project management principles.
- Embrace a student-centric, adaptable learning approach.
- Attain a sophisticated understanding at the postgraduate level.
- Cultivate skills applicable across a spectrum of business administration functions.
- Champion ethical conduct and uphold rigorous professional benchmarks.
Career Opportunities
Potential career paths
- Information Security Analyst
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Security System Developer
Entry Requirements
To view our Entry Requirements, click here.
How to Apply
To view how to apply click here.
We’re absolutely thrilled that you’re interested in discovering more about the exciting educational opportunities here at AIH! Your inquiries are most welcome, and we can’t wait to give you all the information you require. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us anytime you like – we’re here to help!
Any Question?
Further Study
Options
Completion of this qualification provides direct entry and advanced standing into: