Graduate Certificate in Cancer Sciences (GC-CNCRSC)

Graduate CertificateYear: 2025 Delivered: Online

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Overview

Award titleGraduate Certificate in Cancer Sciences
Year & campus2025 — Parkville
Fees informationSubject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & typeGraduate Coursework
AQF level 8
Credit points50 credit points
Duration6 months full-time or 12 months part-time

The Graduate Certificate in Cancer Sciences provides students with an in-depth course of study into the oncological sciences. It utilises a contemporary, evidence-based program for clinicians and scientists to improve the outcomes and experiences of cancer patients.

The Graduate Certificate in Cancer Sciences is 50-point program that can be completed over 12 months part-time, or 6 months, full-time. Students will be required to undertake one core subject covering the Foundations of Cancer. They will then choose an additional three subjects from the elective suite, which covers a wide range of topics relevant to the oncological workforce.

The Cancer Sciences suite has been developed and presented by leading clinicians and researchers from the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC). Designed to broaden the skills of medical practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, allied health practitioners and scientists; this program will hone transferrable knowledge and skills to improve clinical research, education and care.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

  • An undergraduate degree with honours in an appropriate discipline or equivalent; or
  • An undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline and at least two years of documented, relevant work experience; or
  • At least eight years of documented relevant work experience and demonstrated evidence of written and analytical skills appropriate for postgraduate study. 

      Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

  • Prior academic performance; and
  • Relevant work experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook. Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Intended learning outcomes

This course is designed to position participants to be effective contributors and leaders in the cancer workforce. Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Sciences will have the ability to:

  • Synthesize complex information, problems and theories
  • Apply evidence to inform decision making
  • Display proficiency in written and oral communication
  • Demonstrate effective time management and organisational planning
  • Apply their knowledge and skills to improve the clinical care of cancer
  • Identify the evidence that underpins cancer research and clinical care
  • Assimilate current clinical practices, research literature and accepted cancer paradigms
  • Articulate the importance of communicating and working collaboratively with other cancer care professionals in multidisciplinary teams
  • Display expert level knowledge across multiple domains relevant to the cancer sciences
  • Identify and evaluate the emerging technologies and techniques in research and clinical care

Generic skills

  • Advanced analytic skills
  • Skills in working collaboratively with individuals, groups and organisations
  • Increased capacity to manage unfamiliar problems
  • Improved written communication skills
  • Increased ability to work independently and be self-motivated

Course structure

Students will complete 1 mandatory (core) subject:

Code Name Study period Credit Points
MEDI90084 Foundations of Cancer
Term 1 (Online)
Term 3 (Online)
 12.5

This subject gives students an introduction to cancer science, research and care.

Students may then choose 3 additional elective subjects from either the Cancer Sciences suite, or the extended elective suite:

Cancer Sciences Elective Suite

Code Name Study period Credit Points
MEDI90085 Supportive Care and Palliative Care
Term 4 (Online)
 12.5
MEDI90086 Cancer Research
Term 2 (Online)
Term 4 (Online)
 12.5
MEDI90087 Cancer in Society
Term 3 (Online)
 12.5
MEDI90093 Cancer Diagnostics
Term 1 (Online)
 12.5
MEDI90094 Cancer Therapeutics
Term 4 (Online)
 12.5
MEDI90095 Cancer Prevention and Control
Term 2 (Online)
 12.5
MEDI90097 Drug Discovery and Development
Term 1 (Online)
 12.5
MEDI90096 Cancer across the Lifespan
Term 3 (Online)
 12.5

Extended Elective Suite

Code Name Study period Credit Points
EDUC90716 Qualitative Methods for Evaluation
Term 3 (Online)
 12.5
MGMT90264 Adaptive Leadership
Term 1 (Online)
 12.5

Further study

Students that successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Sciences will be eligible to enter the Master of Cancer Sciences with full credit.

Last updated: 27 February 2025