Frequently asked questions

Learn more about micro-credentials and short courses.

A micro-credential is an increasingly sought-after type of certification that focuses on specific knowledge, skills and capabilities. It can be thought of as a mini qualification, which verifies that you possess a particular professional skill. When you earn a micro-credential, you will receive a digital certificate embedded with metadata, which is designed to be shared online, such as on LinkedIn or in your email signature. Prospective employers can view the micro-credential’s metadata to verify its authenticity and find out more about the warrant it represents, adding to the trust and transparency of the certification.

Micro-credentials are either delivered online or face to face with supporting online learning experiences. To find out how a particular micro-credential is delivered, check its individual page.

Micro-credentials require students to participate within a given timeframe. They are not self-paced.

Yes. Assessment is equivalent to 1250 words . To achieve your micro-credential, you must receive a minimum overall pass mark of 70%.

We have grouped many of our micro-credentials into series or suites, enabling you to easily select multiple micro-credentials from a discipline that is relevant to you.

  • A series includes four related micro-credentials. If you complete all four, you may be eligible to apply for credit towards an award course offered by the University.
  • A suite also includes related micro-credentials but does not necessarily lead to credit for an award course.

To see which award courses your micro-credential series may provide a pathway to, check its individual page.

Micro-credentials are considered a non-accredited form of study, but you may be able to stack your credentials to gain credit towards a further certificate, diploma or degree offered by the University. Each micro-credential is worth 3.125 points, the equivalent of a quarter of a typical 12.5-point university subject.

Micro-credentials, short courses and masterclasses from The University of Melbourne may contribute to earning Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points or credit, although this is at the relevant discretion of the professional association. Many professional associations recognise CPD at a standard rate of 1 hour of professional development / learning = 1 CPD point. The micro-credential digital certificate is issued upon completion and verifies the skills, achievements, number of hours completed, and any formal or summative assessments completed.

As micro-credentials are considered a non-accredited form of study, you will not be classified as a ‘student’ at the University of Melbourne.

Some micro-credentials are designed in a way that enables you to ‘stack’ them together with other micro-credentials to use as combined credit to apply for a related award course. To do so, you need to complete four micro-credentials from the same series to achieve a total 12.5 credit points. Then you may be eligible to apply for advanced standing into a related or targeted award course. To find out whether your micro-credentials can be used in this way, check its individual page.

Some  micro-credentials can be recognised as credit for prior learning – otherwise known as advanced standing – and used as a pathway into our award courses. To use micro-credentials for advanced standing, you will need to complete the equivalent of one subject offered in a relevant certificate, diploma or degree. To find out whether your micro-credential can be used in this way, check its individual page.

All micro-credentials are issued via a digital credentialing platform called Badgr. To learn more about Badgr, visit info.badgr.com

Micro-credentials are embedded with metadata allowing anyone who clicks on it to review details of the warrant for your achievement. This is similar to a transcript, but with more detail. The metadata includes a description of the specific knowledge, skills, or capabilities being warranted, plus how the micro-credential aligns to any professional frameworks or accreditation standards, and whether the micro-credential has any industry endorsements. It sometimes also includes the artefacts – such as videos or written material – that you produced to achieve the micro-credential.

When you earn a micro-credential, you will receive a .json digital file that contains a graphic icon and embedded metadata.

After you are awarded your micro-credential, you can share it digitally and via social media platforms by adding it to your personal platforms. For example, you may add it to your LinkedIn page. This enables prospective employers and accrediting bodies to be confident in your skills and knowledge.

Your micro-credential might be issued with an expiry date. This means that the knowledge and skills within the field of study are changing rapidly and therefore may need to be refreshed in the future. To find specific expiry information about a micro-credential, check its individual page.

To enrol in a micro-credential, click the Enrol Now button on its individual page. If there is no Enrol Now button, you can register to receive updates on the micro-credential, including when it is open for enrolment.

How much does it cost to undertake a micro-credential?

Fees vary across micro-credentials. To find specific fee information about a micro-credential, check its individual page.

Fees are expected to be paid upfront and cannot be deferred via FEE-HELP. HELP loans are only available to students undertaking award courses.

Fees are expected to be paid upfront and cannot be paid in instalments.

Eligibility requirements vary across micro-credentials. Some require previous work experience and study, while others have no prerequisites. To find out if you are eligible for a particular micro-credential, check its individual page.

Micro-credentials draw on the world-class research of the University of Melbourne and are developed alongside industry, meaning you can be confident the skills and knowledge you are gaining are relevant to your profession and in line with industry needs.

Micro-credentials also provide a warrant for the knowledge and skills obtained, because they include a form of assessment. This provides greater trust for employers and therefore is more valuable to learners.

A short course is a flexible form of study that can run from a few hours to a few days or a few weeks, depending on which course you choose. All short courses are delivered by subject matter experts and may be delivered online, face to face, or through blended learning.

While our micro-credentials always include robust assessment components, not all short courses offer a formal assessment. We recommend reviewing the study page of the specific course you're interested in for information on workload and assessments. Look for a dedicated section that briefly outlines any assessment details.

Learners enrol in our short courses for a variety of reasons. You may want to develop your workplace skills or learn more about a particular interest or hobby. Our flexible short courses can also include masterclasses and professional development seminars.

At present, finishing a short course will not lead to the issuance of a shareable digital certificate. If you successfully complete a micro-credential, you will receive a shareable digital certificate of completion you can use across your social media networks.

Micro-credentials are assessed courses that have a strong industry focus and are designed for professionals who are looking to quickly gain specific skills for their job. Short courses are often unassessed, cover a wide breadth of topics, and can also include masterclasses and professional development seminars.

How are short courses taught?

Short courses are either delivered online, face to face or through blended learning. To find out how a particular short course is delivered, check its individual study page.

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