Core Zone
This zone consists of all the compulsory requirements for the degree.
40 credit points
Qualification
40 credit points
Graduate Certificate of Clinical Trial Operations
Overview
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Study options
- Part Time
- Full Time
- 100% online
Duration Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.
Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.
- Full time: 0.5 years (or equivalent part time)
Fees The estimated annual fee displayed is based on completing a standard full-time study load. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
The estimated annual fee displayed is based on completing a standard full-time study load. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.
- Domestic Fee-paying
- Estimated fee AUD $16,700
Location and start dates
Online:
- Session 1 (22 February 2027)
- Session 2 (26 July 2027)
Summary
Key features
- Study the only postgraduate qualification of its kind
Pivot your career from biomedical engineering, clinical or medical science, nursing, general science or a related field.
- Boost your career prospects with an industry co-designed course
Study a curriculum designed with the pharmaceutical, medical device and clinical research industries to enhance your employability.
- Study units aligned with globally recognised core competencies
Graduate with the knowledge and skills required by the Core Competency Framework for Clinical Research Professionals.
- Study online for optimal flexibility
Study this course online while you work or balance family and other commitments.
Career outcomes
With a rapidly evolving job market, it’s vital that you have the right skills to evolve with it. We’ll help you upskill or reskill so you can take the next career step in your current industry, or move to one that matches your changing interests. View professions and potential employers.
See career outcomesAbout the Graduate Certificate of Clinical Trial Operations at Macquarie University
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences
The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences is ambitiously pushing the boundaries of progressive thinking and challenging what's possible to solve some of the big issues of our time. You'll learn from expert academics, researchers and clinicians within an educational environment that's unique in Australia.
Learn more about the faculty
Studying at Macquarie
Our vibrant and leafy campus forms part of one of the largest business and technology precincts in Australia. To ensure you have the right skills when you graduate — whether you're starting your first job or taking your career to the next level — we offer flexible study options, personalised degrees and practical experiences.
Benefits of studying at Macquarie
Course structure
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looking to start my course in
Focused and flexible study
Where you can study
100% online
Core Zone
40 credit points
Your degree’s core zone provides the focus of your preferred area of study and consists of all the units you’ll need to complete to meet your degree’s requirements.
Guide to University terminology
Use our handy guide to better understand common study terms.
Career outcomes
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looking to start my course in
Take the next step in your career
Professions
- Clinical research associate
- Clinical research nurse
- Clinical research/trial coordinator
- Clinical trial assistant
- Clinical trial biostatistician
- Clinical trial data manager
- Clinical trial ethics coordinator
- Clinical trial pharmacist
- Drug safety monitor
- Medical monitor
- Medical writer
Employers
- Clinical research organisations
- Diagnostics companies
- Hospitals
- Medical device companies
- Medical research institutes
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Universities
Career information
Job and Skills Australia – an Australian Government initiative – provides accessible labour-market data, research and tools to help you understand Australia’s current and projected workforce-skills needs.
Professional recognition
N/A
Multiply your employability
Key employment skills
Gain the skills employers need to deliver and manage safe, patient-centred clinical trials.
Booming Job Sector
Land your dream career and make a real difference in Australia’s fastest-growing job sector.
#1 in Aus: Grad employment rate
Study at Australia’s #8 uni for employment outcomes: QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2024.
Entry requirements
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looking to start my course in
Simple steps to entry at Macquarie
See if you meet the academic requirements
Check if you qualify for recognition of prior learning
Do you meet some, but not all of the requirements?
Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience or other recognised prior learning, you may qualify for entry to this degree at the admission point below.
Each admission point requires the completion of some or all of the degree’s zones, which will affect the overall duration of the degree.
Guide to admission points
| Complete this degree in: | If you meet the below or hold a recognised equivalent*: | Course structure: |
|---|---|---|
0.5 years (full-time, or equivalent duration if available part-time) | A successful applicant for admission to the Graduate Certificate of Clinical Trial Operations will hold an AQF level 7 bachelor’s qualification, or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65. | Core Zone (40 credit points) View course structure |
AQF levels
*'Bachelor’s qualification' relates to an AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent.
Guide to University terminology
Use our handy guide to better understand common study terms.
View our guideEnglish language requirements
When applying to study at Macquarie University, you’re required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.
You may satisfy the English language requirements by:
- passing an approved English language test at the required level
- holding a qualification from an approved country with English as the language of instruction
Learn more about English language requirements for applications direct to Macquarie University
The required standard of English for this degree is:
| IELTS band | Minimum score required |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Reading | 6 |
| Writing | 6 |
| Listening | 6 |
| Speaking | 6 |
Additional information and requirements
Assumed knowledge
Recommended studies
Inherent requirements
To be eligible to graduate from your course, you must satisfy the inherent requirements – essential activities, capacities and academic requisites – of that course.
View inherent requirementsFees and scholarships
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Fees
The estimated fee displayed is based on a standard full-time study load. Fees may increase each year. For courses longer than one year in duration, you'll pay the fee that is current for the year that you enrol.
Find out moreEstimated cost
The cost of your studies may vary based on:- units chosen
- government support received
- approved credit for prior learning or work experience.
Domestic fee paying
AUD $16,700
Estimated fee
AUD $417.50
Fee per credit point
Government assistance
FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible students enrolled in Domestic fee-paying courses. It's used to defer full or part of your tuition fee and can't be used for additional study costs, such as accommodation or textbooks.
Student amenities fee
You’re required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) to Macquarie University in compliance with the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Act 2011 (Cth). The fee contributes to services, support and facilities of a non-academic nature.
Learn about SSAFScholarships
Macquarie University offers a variety of scholarships that recognise a range of factors, including academic or athletic achievement, leadership experience and volunteer work, or financial need and hardship. Additional scholarships may be available for selected areas of study.
Scholarships available for eligible postgraduate students, studying the Graduate Certificate of Clinical Trial Operations
All
Australian Defence Force PG Sponsorship
Applications close: No separate application
Award value: 10% of total tuition fees for standard course duration
Find out moreAcademic
Aboriginal
Disability
Financial
Leadership
Rural
Macquarie Advantage Scholarship (Postgraduate)
Financial support for postgraduate study.
Applications close: Nov Round: 13 November 2026; Dec Round 2: 10 December 2026; Jan Round 2: 8 January 2027
Award value: $12,000 per year for standard course duration
Find out moreAcademic
Macquarie University Postgraduate Loyalty Scheme 10% sponsorship
Supporting postgraduate studies for our alumni
Applications close: No separate application
Award value: 10% of total tuition fees for standard course duration
Find out moreFinancial
Academic
Aboriginal
Walanga Muru (Follow Your Path) Scholarship
A scholarship to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking a postgraduate degree who demonstrate financial hardship and the determination to overcome it.
Applications close: Application form for 2027 will be available soon.
Award value: $10,000 one-off for one-off award
Find out moreHow to apply
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looking to start my course in
Course details
Course title:
Graduate Certificate of Clinical Trial Operations
Starting year:
2027
Application instructions
Apply online
New domestic applicants are required to apply directly through our Applicant Portal.
The Applicant Portal allows you to save your application and come back to it later. You can also track the status of your application and must submit prior to the application close date.
Please note: If you are a current or previous Macquarie University student, you should submit your application through the 'my application and offers' tab in eStudent. If you have forgotten your Student ID or password, please contact the IT Service Desk for assistance.
What you need to apply
Your application will require copies of the following documents:
- Proof of Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency (including proof of name change, if applicable)
- Evidence of previous academic qualifications and transcripts (including translations if your qualifications are not in English)
- Evidence of English proficiency (where applicable)
- Current resume and workplace reference letter (if seeking entry through previous work experience)
Steps to apply
Decide on your course
Explore your entry options and check the requirements
Gather your documentation
Submit your application
Help with your application
For help with your application, or if you have any questions, contact our team.
Future Students
T: +61 (2) 9850 6767
E: futurestudents@mq.edu.au
Important dates
| Session/Year | Location | Applications open | Applications close | Session commences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Online | 2 September 2026 | 8 February 2027 | 22 February 2027 |
| Session 2 | Online | 2 September 2026 | 12 July 2027 | 26 July 2027 |
Ask a question
If you’d like to know more about studying at Macquarie University, we’d love to hear from you.