Claim your space as a leader

Developed in partnership with

A creative approach to leadership
Move from being ‘part of’ creative projects, to becoming a leader of creative projects, with a Graduate Certificate in Creative Leadership. Taught in conjunction with the Compton School, you’ll reach your higher potential thanks to mentoring from real experts in the creative industry.
Throughout the course you’ll see how being a creative leader differentiates from being a leader in a traditional or corporate industry. You’ll combine academic knowledge alongside industry-relevant insights to identify market opportunities and build a toolkit of skills to lead creative businesses and projects.
You’ll graduate with the tactics to bring creative stakeholders along for a journey they feel invested in, and feel empowered to lead with confidence.
100% online flexible learning
Study part-time with online classes that can be sped up or slowed down to suit your learning and lifestyle needs
Delivered in partnership with Compton School
Learn from the best in the business. This course is delivered in partnership with the Compton School meaning you’ll learn from Creative Fellows and industry experts
Education meets industry
Combine academic knowledge with industry-relevant insights. Investigate case studies, build grant proposals and practice pitches


Learn the art of persuasion from real-world industry experts
Build connections that will shape your creative career
Learn to identify and address market opportunities
Gain a holistic understanding of the creative leadership process
Graduate with a qualification that sets you apart
Option to continue study to gain a Master of Creative Industries
Get qualified in 12 months (part-time) or 2 years (part-time)
*12 months includes 2 units per semester. 2 years includes 1 unit per semester.
Two annual intakes in February and July
Only 4 units to complete
4 units | $3,000 per unit*
FEE-HELP available.

Why study at UC
The University of Canberra is the home of creative education in Australia’s capital and celebrating 50 years of creative education. UC’s Graduate Certificate in Creative Leadership has been developed in partnership with the Compton School, meaning you’ll be taught creative leadership skills from real industry experts.
Learn alongside ‘true peers’
Be inspired by your peers and make contacts for the future
5-star for postgraduate learner engagement
The University of Canberra is in Australia’s top 20% of universities for postgraduate students
GUG 2023
Education meets Industry
Combine academic knowledge with industry-relevant insights
Upon graduating, you will have the skills and tools to explore a range of career opportunities in the creative industry, or step-up within your current organisation.
Completing the Graduate Certificate in Creative Leadership will allow you to move into leadership roles as a Project Lead, Creative Director, Art Director, Creative Projects Manager or Public Service Executive. Additionally, you will have the skills needed to create your own path in Entrepreneurship or as a Creative Business Owner.

Meet your teacher

David is the founder of Compton School and co-founder of Greenlight Technologies. He is also Chair of Screen Canberra. He was previously Head of Screen Business at the Australian Film Television & Radio School, where he led the highly regarded Masters of Screen Arts & Business program.
Such experience in both leadership roles and the creative industry allows David the competence and know-how to help you build on your passion for becoming a leader within this competitive industry.
What you will learn

Impact and Enterprise G (11155)
Impact and Enterprise G (11155)
Required Unit
Examine and analyse the ways and means by which works are produced, valued, distributed, regulated, consumed and debated within the professional context of the creative and cultural industries. You’ll engage with real world industry and creative industry contexts to analyse key components of the creative and cultural economy, including sources of funding, measurement of impact, entrepreneurial approaches, governance and management issues.
Audiences, Data and Media Convergence PG (11634.1)
Audiences, Data and Media Convergence PG (11634.1)
Required Unit
Learn to critique technological developments driving individualised media, examine how data is created and used by new media technologies, and understand issues related to data, privacy and personalised media. You will learn techniques for implementing customised campaigns as marketing communication moves beyond the unique selling points aimed at mass audiences, to messages tailored for niche audiences across local and global markets.
Art, Technology and Business G (11864)
Art, Technology and Business G (11864)
Required unit
Develop a critical understanding of the complex interplay of creative work with innovation in media technologies and the co-evolution of audience and business opportunities. Through an understanding of this interplay, you will learn how to explore and develop the creative and business potentials of the dynamic media in which they work. Explore a series of case studies of technological innovations and the creative and business opportunities they afforded artists who engaged with them.
Leadership in the Creative Industries G (11865.1)
Leadership in the Creative Industries G (11865.1)
Required unit
Expand past conceptual frameworks and seek to integrate business thinking with creative practice. In this unit you will develop balanced and critical judgement in leading and managing creative teams, projects and businesses. You will explore a related series of polarities, for example, between Art and Business, Comms and Persuasion and Control and Growth.July 2023 intake
February 2024 intake
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Creative Leadership, applicants must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized tertiary institution
COURSE COST
$3,000 per unit
2023 per unit fee for Domestic Students. Fee-Help available.
You may be eligible to defer payment of your tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Visit FEE-HELP for lots of useful information about eligibility, how to apply and pay. You can apply for FEE-HELP once you have enrolled in a course.


Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries
Delivery: Online & On campus
Duration: 2 years (part-time) 1 year (full-time)
Intakes: February & July

Master of Creative Industries
Delivery: Online & On campus
Duration: 4 years (part-time) 2 years (full-time)
Intakes: February & July

Master of Creative Industries
Delivery: Online & On campus
Duration: 4 years (part-time) 2 years (full-time)
Intakes: February & July

Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries
Delivery: Online & On campus
Duration: 2 years (part-time) 1 year (full-time)
Intakes: February & July

Ready to start learning? Download a brochure, or speak to our staff via email or over the phone.
We can answer all of your burning questions including:
- Matching the course to you
- How studying online works
- How to apply
- Tuition cost and fees