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Social Impact

Overview

Designed for change-makers in the social purpose sector, the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact will equip you with practical skills, deep knowledge, and real-world insights to create meaningful, lasting impact.

Whether you're in not-for-profit, government, philanthropy, or for-purpose business, this course will build your leadership capabilities and empower you to drive positive social change in your organisation and beyond.

What sets Flinders’ Graduate Certificate in Social Impact apart? A practical, pragmatic teaching approach grounded in theory but brought to life through the voices and experiences of social impact practitioners from around the world.

Up to 80% off fees due to Government subsidies*. 

*Government subsidies enable Flinders to offer Domestic applicants a reduction of up to 80% off full course fees through Commonwealth Supported Places. Offer subject to change.

Scholarship opportunity

Flinders University has received $30,000 in scholarship funding through the National Centre for Social Impact, supporting programs such as the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact.

Applications for the 2026 scholarship will open in late October 2025.

Stay tuned for more details and get ready to take the next step in your impact-driven career.

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I am an
International Student

I am not a citizen of
Australia or New Zealand.

Switch to International

I am a
Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

Switch to Domestic

Courses

Graduate Certificate in Social Impact*

Duration: 0.5 years

Delivery mode:
In person
Online

Location:
City

Availability: 
Part-time
Full-time

Start dates:
March
July
October

SATAC code:
2GC810 (City, Commonwealth supported place)
2GC910 (City, Full fee paying)

Annual indicative fees (2025)
$8,496 (Commonwealth supported)
$17,820 (Full fee paying)

Further information on fees listed

Apply via SATAC

2GC810 (CSP)

2GC910 (FFP)

(CSP): Commonwealth Supported Place
(FFP): Full fee paying

Graduate Diploma in Business Administration

Duration: 6 months

Delivery mode: 
In person
Online

Location:
City

Availability: 
Full-time
Part-time

Start dates:
March
July
October

SATAC code: 2GD901

Annual indicative fees (2025):
$35,640 (Full fee paying)

Further information on fees listed

Apply via SATAC

2GD901 (FFP)

Master in Business Administration (Social Impact)

Duration: 2 years

Delivery mode:
In person
Online

Location:
City

Availability: 
Part-time
Full-time

Start dates:
March
July
October

SATAC code:
2CM924 (City)
2CM616 (Online)

Annual indicative fees (2025):
$35,640 (Full fee paying)

Further information on fees listed

Apply via SATAC

2CM924 (FFP)

What you will study

Entry requirements

How to apply

Enquire

Stand out from the crowd

Study a combined Master of Accounting / Graduate Certificate in Social Impact.

Students that study this course will learn accounting skills plus be able to arrive at sustainable and ethical solutions. You can also study now and pay later with a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) because this course receives funding from the Australian Government. Plus, you can become an accountant with a social impact focus in just two years of study.

Why study Social Impact at Flinders?

 

  • Learn how to apply the principles of social impact to social innovation, service and system design, people-centred solutions, community place-based approaches, social entrepreneurship and governance.
  • You will access both Australia-wide and international examples plus extensive social impact work happening in South Australia.
  • Take part in real-life industry projects and meet your future colleagues with industry partners from across the for purpose and government spectrum.
  • Build capabilities in leadership in the context of social impact, with a focus on collaboration, equality and diversity, design thinking and technology for social impact, and how to deliver strategic solutions to complex social issues.
  • The course is offered in person in the Adelaide CBD and online featuring intensive workshops to immerse students into the world of social impact.
  • Complete four subjects and you receive a Graduate Certificate, and after finishing a further eight subjects, you will be awarded a Master of Business Administration (Social Impact).

Your career

The course aims to provide current and future leaders and professionals with the fundamental understanding and skills they need to achieve positive social impact.

The program of study is designed specifically to enhance the skills of people working or seeking to work in the social purpose or for-purpose landscape, including leaders and professionals within not-for-profits, for-purpose commercial organisations, the philanthropic sector, universities, or governments.

Potential occupations include:

  • program director
  • general manager
  • relationship manager
  • social impact specialist
  • business analyst
  • social impact & stakeholder engagement specialist
  • community development planner
  • policy advisor.

Potential employers include:

  • community services & development
  • consulting businesses
  • international development organisations
  • environment and sustainability businesses
  • community development
  • community health organisations
  • for purpose sector.

Professional accreditation/recognition

These courses count towards professional learning.

Practical experience

Each topic includes industry guest speakers, opportunities for laboratory sessions with social impact leaders and exposure to social impact research, policy and practice through the team of active social impact researchers both at Flinders and nationally. 

What you will study

Graduate Certificate in Social Impact

In the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact you will study four core topics. These topics equip students providing in depth knowledge about positive social impact and social change and how to apply these principles in the workplace. Core topics include:

  • Social Impact in Context
  • Leadership for Social Impact
  • Innovation for Social Impact
  • Demonstrating Social Impact

The Graduate Certificate in Social Impact is delivered in an intensive format. Each topic runs over 5 weeks and includes 5 modules plus assessments, supported by a weekly 3-hour tutorial which you are expected to attend in person or online. If you are working full-time, we strongly recommend enrolling in one topic at a time to ensure you can fully engage with the course content and learning activities.

View study program

Graduate Certificate in Social Impact (Online)

Graduate Certificate in Social Impact (City)

Master of Business Administration (Social Impact) (Online)

Master of Accounting (Social Impact) (Online)

Master of Accounting (Social Impact) (City)

The Graduate Certificate in Social Impact (GCSI) offers a flexible and powerful way to advance your career in the social purpose sector. It can be completed as a stand-alone qualification or nested within Flinders University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accounting (MA). This dual focus prepares you to lead sustainable change across corporate, government, and for-purpose sectors.

Whether you start with the GCSI or begin your MBA or MA first, you can seamlessly integrate GCSI topics into your study plan and have them credited toward your master’s degree.

By combining the GCSI with the MBA (Social Impact), you'll explore leadership, innovation, and social impact measurement, alongside core business areas such as finance, marketing, and strategy. Alternatively, pairing the GCSI with the Master of Accounting equips you with comprehensive accounting expertise enriched by a strong foundation in ethical and impact-driven practice.

GCSI topics are also available as electives in many other Flinders courses, making it easier than ever to develop your capability in social innovation and systems change.

With the added benefit of Commonwealth Supported Places for eligible domestic students, this flexible and integrated approach offers a cost-effective pathway to achieving your goals while making a meaningful difference in your field.

Hear from our students

“As an international student, I felt welcomed and respected. I’ve gained academic knowledge and greater confidence in my voice and perspective.”  

Pae Fetuu
International Student in Social Impact, 2025

“The Graduate Certificate in Social Impact has changed me profoundly, both professionally and personally...(it) has integrated into my everyday work, and this means I will always have a focus on creating social impact.” 

Sofiann Saidi 
Graduate in Social Impact, 2024

"Studying the GCSI exposed me to inspirational leaders across the world... It provided me with a network of like-minded professionals who inspired me to think bigger.”

Sally Nicholas, Graduate in Social Impact, 2024

Entry requirements

Graduate Certificate

Applicants must either:

  • hold a degree or equivalent qualification OR
  • have at least one years’ experience in a related context or two years’ experience in a non-related field.

Graduate Diploma

Applicants must either:

  • hold a degree or equivalent qualification OR
  • hold the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.

Master

Applicants must either hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification; or hold the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact or Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Flinders University or equivalent qualification.  

How to apply

1

Select your preferred course.

 

2

Check entry requirements.

 

3

Check individual course entries on SATAC for information on important dates.

4

Apply online at SATAC.

Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.

Apply directly via SATAC

Select your preferred course and apply directly through the MySATAC application portal.

Applicants are recommended to preference CSP as a higher preference and FFP as a lower preference.

Graduate Certificate in Social Impact

2GC810 (CSP)

2GC910 (FFP)

Graduate Diploma in Business Administration

2GD901

Master of Business Administration (Social Impact)

2CM924 (FFP)

(CSP): Commonwealth Supported Place
(FFP): Full fee paying

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form. 

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

Book a chat

We’re here to help you every step of the way.

If you would like to talk to one of our friendly advisers about applying to university or to discuss your study options and pathways, please contact us.

1300 354 633

Book a chat

Apply for study in 2025

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Last Updated: 14 Jul 2025

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