Graduate Certificate or Diploma of Psychiatry overview
Graduate certificates allow students to learn about clinical psychiatry, brain ageing, child mental health and more. They take six months of full-time study to complete, or a year part-time. The University of Sydney and similar institutions also offer graduate diplomas, which take a year of full-time study instead. These provide the same knowledge, with the added benefit of a research inquiry and further insights into psychosocial care. This makes them ideal for those willing to put more time into their program.
Employment options
Placement at a relevant institution for training in psychiatry is required before practising as a psychiatrist. Companies like The Melbourne Clinic or RANZCP are good options for graduates, as they provide the opportunity to gain experience and work toward accreditation. Once this process has been completed, the employment options mentioned here become far more accessible.
Scholarships and funding
There are a few small opportunities available to psychiatry students, such as the Herbert Bower Memorial Prize in Psychiatry of Old Age. This is a $237 benefit conferred upon applicants who give the most satisfactory answer in an exam. There are also general scholarship opportunities available, such as:
- The EU 2020 Horizon Scholarship allows Curtin University students to study in Europe
- The Gallipoli Scholarship Fund provides $1000 to students whose ancestors fought in WWI
- The ECIG Scholarship Program awards $1000, provided they write a satisfactory essay
These sorts of programs tend to happen annually. There are many of them, each suited to students from varying backgrounds.
Prerequisites and selection process
Both of these programs require two things.
- A bachelor of medicine
- Employment at an accredited medical training institution
The RANZCP is a great option for Australian students to seek medical training with.