Australian residents
International students
Intakes: 

2023: February, May, July

Duration: 
3 years
Location: 
Footscray Park
Fees: 

2023: A$13,100*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
Other locations:

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Overview

Make a difference with a career building strong communities, by studying a Bachelor of Community Development at Victoria University.

Our Bachelor of Community Development gives you the skills and knowledge for various roles in local community development. The course units are focused on practical skills to help you become an effective community worker. You'll contribute to building the capacity of local communities to make them stronger and be an advocate for change.

You’ll also benefit from extensive placements in community development organisations, with opportunities to travel overseas. We also have a number of university partners which enable study abroad, providing you with excellent opportunities to broaden your world view, build your capacity as a community worker and learn to work in diverse communities.

This combination of knowledge and practical experience will have you job-ready for a rewarding, exciting and ethical career.

During your study, you’ll benefit from valuable work placements. In fact, you’ll undertake several hundred hours of work in relevant organisations. This gives you the practical experience needed to confidently begin your career when you graduate.

You’ll have the chance to work with non-government organisations (NGOs), community groups, and government. You may contribute to real campaigns, and learn the different ways in which community organisations operate.

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Footscray Park has everything you need, all set within a pleasant stroll from the Maribyrnong River and parklands.

Facilities include:

  • aquatic and fitness centre
  • childcare services
  • learning common spaces with WiFi, tables and chairs
  • restaurants and café
  • state-of-the-art lecture theatres.

The library gives you constant access to online resources from wherever you are. It also has the following for your use:

  • 14 group study rooms
  • 15 laptops for loan
  • 296 PCs and six Apple Macs
  • printing, copying and scanning
  • WiFi access.

Course e-Brochure

Create a customised brochure in a few simple steps. Your brochure will include country-specific information.

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Samantha Suendermann conducting community development activities in India through a VU volunteer program.

Careers in community development

When you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply for work in not-for-profit, community or government sectors.

Job titles include:

  • community development/liaison officer
  • project coordinator
  • advocacy campaigner
  • policy officer
  • international aid worker
  • researcher.

Salaries & employment prospects

Find the average salary and predicted job growth for community-development professionals on the government employment data site, Labour Market Insights.

Going global

Going global

An eye-opening overseas placement in Malaysia ignited Robert Impey’s passion for Community Development.

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Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Community Development students will be required to complete 288 credit points in total consisting of:

  • 96 credit points First Year Core units;

  • 144 credit points Professional Core studies including 24 credit points of Capstone studies;

  • 1 x 48 credit points of Minor studies.

First Year Core Units

Professional Core Units

Capstone Units

Minors

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Evaluate community development approaches in both international and local contexts;  
  2. Design community development interventions relating to social and cultural contexts;  
  3. Analyse theory and practice of community development;  
  4. Develop a scholarly approach to researching in community development;  
  5. Exhibit effective communication, advocacy and community organising skills for social change; and  
  6. Interrogate the policy contexts of government and non-government organisations.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Diploma of Community Development CHC52115

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Diploma of Community Services CHC52015

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Foundations at VU JYAC

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU (Extended) JQAH

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.


Find out more about our study pathways to VU

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

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How to apply

We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.

Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.


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If you have questions, please get in touch:

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.