Question 1

Why should I study project management?

Accepted Answer

Studying project management will prepare you to lead complex projects across diverse industries. You should choose this path if you're an aspiring leader who wants to manage teams, budgets, risks, and stakeholders while ensuring project success. These practical skills are in high demand and open doors to various career opportunities.

Unsure whether a project management degree is the right fit for you? You might like to explore related courses in areas like management and leadership, construction management, marketing, and administration.

Question 2

Which project management course should I choose?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your interests and goals, existing qualifications, and how much time you can commit to studying.

Consider the following when making your decision:

Choose this course...	If you want to...
A bachelor degree	learn about project management from top to bottom and establish your career.
A graduate certificate	gain foundational skills or hone a particular area in a 6-month timeframe.
A graduate diploma	gain more in-depth knowledge for a career change or take on more senior responsibilities in the workplace.
A masters degree	take your career even further with advanced leadership skills in project management.
A short course or single subject	upskill or focus your learning on a specialised area, like risk, cost or people management.

Still not sure? Contact us to discuss which study path is the right fit for you.

Question 3

What will I learn in a project management course?

Accepted Answer

What you’ll learn depends on the project management course you choose, but you can expect to gain versatile skills that apply across a range of industries. Most courses will teach you how to lead and manage projects effectively, with a focus on:

Leadership and team management
Project procurement and contract management
Risk and quality control management
Cost and time management
Stakeholder and portfolio management

Question 4

How long is a project management course?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the course and whether you select something short or long-term. Here’s a general guide:

Course	Duration
Single subject	10-18 weeks
Short course	10-18 weeks
Undergraduate certificate	6 months (if full time)
Diploma	1 year (if full time)
Associate degree	2 years (if full time)
Bachelor degree	3 years (if full time)
Graduate certificate	6 months (if full time)
Graduate diploma	1 year (if full time)
Masters degree	2 years (if full time)

When you study your project management course through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.

Question 5

What are the entry requirements for project management?

Accepted Answer

Entry requirements vary by course. Most project management courses need you to have:

A bachelor degree (often in business or a related field)
Relevant work experience (this applies to some postgraduate courses)

Some courses may accept applicants with extensive work experience even without formal qualifications.

Make sure you read the entry requirements for your chosen course carefully to ensure you’re eligible to apply. Or chat with us to understand your options.

Question 6

Are the project management courses offered through Open Universities Australia endorsed by an industry body?

Accepted Answer

Yes, several project management courses offered through Open Universities Australia are endorsed by the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM). The AIPM is Australia's leading professional body for project managers, recognised by major employers like Telstra and Aurecon. Completing an AIPM-endorsed course makes you eligible for automatic certification, which can boost your credibility in the field.

Question 7

Why should I study an online project management course?

Accepted Answer

You should study an online project management course if you don’t have the time to attend classes in person. With an online course, you can study when and where it suits you, provided you meet the regular deadlines set by your university’s tutors. You won’t have to take time off work to accomplish your goals, which means you can apply the project management principles you learn straight away.

Question 8

How much does a project management course cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of your project management course will depend on the university you study with.

Eligible postgraduate students can access government funding through a FEE-HELP loan. This means you will defer your study fees and only start making repayments when you’re earning over a certain amount.

Question 9

What career opportunities can I explore after studying project management?

Accepted Answer

A project management degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities in various industries. You could consider roles such as:

Project manager
Senior project manager
Project administrator
Project analyst
Project officer
Project team leader

Question 10

What industries hire project managers?

Accepted Answer

Skilled project managers are in demand across various industries. Some of the industries you could find yourself working in include:

Architecture
Construction
Software development
Healthcare
Engineering

These industries rely on project managers to lead teams, coordinate resources, and deliver outcomes on time and within budget, making your expertise highly valued.

Question 11

How do I enrol?

Accepted Answer

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

Project management courses

Introduction to Project management