Is a microcredential right for me?

We all know that studying can be a daunting commitment. It can be difficult to ascertain whether the TAFE course or the degree we initially choose is the right one for us.  

Questions like ‘what if I don’t enjoy what I study’ or ‘what if I discover I don’t have enough time’ are common among people considering a degree. If these questions are holding you back from studying (or studying again) then a microcredential  might be right for you.  

Whether you’re a lifelong learner continuing your journey or a professional looking to upskill, there are plenty of reasons to consider securing some microcredentials. 

Defining microcredentials 

A common misconception is that microcredentials and short courses are the same thing. 

Hannah Brown, Manager of Lifelong Learning at Deakin University explains the term ‘microcredentials’ as the accreditation you get after completing a short course.  

A microcredential is essentially evidence that learning has occurred. It’s similar to an academic testamar – just a micro version.  

‘It’s a learner’s digital evidence that they have successfully completed a short course, and it contains the metadata necessary to validate your learning experience,’ Hannah says.  

The great thing about a microcredential? It can be incredibly versatile depending on the learners needs.  

If you are looking to focus mainly on upskilling for continuing professional development needs, you can gain a microcredential upon completion of a relevant short course and be able to instantly share this with current or potential employers to demonstrate competency.  

If you are looking to pathway into further learning, you can find some microcredentials that provide both standalone competency and also offer academic credit. 

Deakin offers ‘stackable short courses’  which are great hybrids of both. Not only are these professional development courses are great for those looking to upskill within a particular field or job role (and have a recognised qualification to boot), but they also offer academic credit to a range of Deakin’s post-graduate degrees.  

So, microcredentials are great for anyone looking to add breadth to a degree or move into further study. 

‘Stackable short courses in particular offer a flexible and cost-effective alternative yet complimentary to postgraduate degree study, which may not be feasible for everyone due to time and financial commitments,’ says Hannah.  

What microcredential can I attain? 

With the rapid need for upskilling and reskilling seen across many industry sectors, we know there are plenty of reasons to add microcredentials to your Lifelong Learning record.  

So, what are some microcredentials that you can attain?  

There are nearly endless options for short courses and many of them are highly targeted, job-ready and contribute credit towards further study.  

Deakin has co-designed many of their microcredentials with industry to ensure that short-course learners are qualified with relevant skills and able to enter emerging job markets. 

Here are a few examples: 

1. Climate change communication 
2. Crisis leadership
3. Forecasting in business and economics 
4. Innovation and ideation 
5. Patient flow management 

So, how do I get a microcredential?   

According to the Australian Government’s National Microcredential Framework, to receive this kind of qualification, you must have ‘assessed learning or competency, with a minimum volume of learning of one hour and less than an AQF award qualification, that is additional, alternate, complementary to or a component part of an AQF award qualification’. 

In other words, microcredentials can only be attached to short courses that are less than an hour long, but not as long as an AQF qualification – and some form of assessment will need to take place.  

So, to get a microcredential qualification, all you have to do is complete an approved short course. Once you pass, you’ll receive a microcredential – usually in the form of a digital credential. 

For example, successful completion of a microcredential course like Change Tools (which can be finished in just six weeks) will earn a qualification from Deakin, represented by a digital credential.  ‘You can plaster it over your LinkedIn and in the future, it will also allow for employers to find talent with verified skills needed for roles,’ Hannah says. 

Microcredentials or traditional degrees? Which should I choose? 

This is a personal decision and really depends on your own goals.  

For some, a microcredential is a way to gain a qualification without committing to a full degree. For others, microcredentials act as a pathway to a larger course of study, whether that be credit or an entry pathway into postgraduate study.        

For Hannah, the question isn’t which one is better – it’s more about why microcredentials can be useful to begin with.  

‘Stackable short courses offer both depth and breadth to traditional degree studies as can be aligned with various study areas, making them relevant and valuable across different disciplines and careers’ Hannah says. ‘Additionally, they can be tailored to meet specific needs, like improving skills in data and digital areas, allowing postgraduate students to explore different topics within their elective credits.’  

Are microcredentials worth it?  

Any course of study or qualification can be worth it – it’s really up to you. We know that businesses love microcredentials because they can help with skills shortages and can improve equality in the workplace.  

As Hannah sees it, microcredentials are valuable because they’re achievable, flexible and great for boosting employability. 

‘I think the use of digital credentials including microcredentials issued by educational and industry institutions will bring about a change in talent recruitment and development practices, bringing more control and opportunity to the individual about job suitability, talent pools and curation,’ she says. 

Ready to discover the benefits of microcredentials for yourself? Explore Deakin’s short courses today!