Design A Higher Certificate

ACS Distance Education offers over 700 distance learning courses or modules. These modules can be taken as stand alone courses, or they can be combined to create a formal qualification that meets your own very specific needs or interests.

Individual modules are ordinarily of 100 hours duration. The table below provides a summary of the number of modules to be studied along with industry meetings or Research Projects. For more detailed information on designing your own course and qualification, and assessment requirements please follow the link to our Design Your Own Course page.

Summary of Design Your Qualifications


 Proficiency Award Certificate Advanced Certificate Associate Diploma Diploma Advanced Diploma
Duration 500 hours 600-700 hours 700-900 hours 1500 hours 2100 hours 2650 hours
Requirements 3 modules; plus 200 hours of work experience or industry meetings. 6 modules. 8 modules; plus 100 hours of industry meetings. 14 modules, normally including Research Project I; plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings. 20 modules, normally including Research Project I and II; plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings. 24 modules, normally including Research Projects I, II and III; plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings.
Pre-requisites A reputable certificate or higher qualification; or significant industry experience which demonstrates a foundation knowledge in the subject; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent. Year 10; or 1 year of relevant full time work following year 9; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent. Year 11; or 1 year of relevant full time work following year 10; or a reputable certificate; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent. Year 12, or 1 year of full time work following year 11; or a reputable certificate; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent. Year 12; or a reputable certificate; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent. Year 12; or a reputable certificate (of 600 hrs); or over 21years of age; or equivalent.
Fee Code PA CT AC AS DI AD

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