Explore your family's past. Term 1, 2024 starts 05 February.
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Explore our courses
Undergraduate Certificate in Family History
Minimum 1 year, up to a maximum of 3 Years 
Online
Join our vibrant learning community taught by experts
Study with other passionate family historians and learn from leading academics in history, writing and creative arts.
Develop key skills in tracing the history of any family
Take your family history research to the next level, whatever your previous education or experience
Access Ancestry Library Edition & British Newspaper Archive for free
Access innovative learning materials and online resources for family history research
Start your family history learning journey
The Undergraduate Certificate in Family History allows you to complete any four of the below units, giving you essential knowledge and tools to bring the past to life. You will trace your family experiences and understand the historical forces that shaped them.
There are four terms to the year, with two or three units offered each term. Many students study one unit per term to complete the Undergraduate Certificate in one year.
Taught by leading scholars in family history, and specialists in Australian, European and Asian histories, this practical course will assist you in exploring your family’s past and enable you to become more proficient and comfortable in a digital environment.
Study options in this degree
Foundation level units
These units are the best starting point for those commencing studies in Family History, or who are unfamiliar with university studies. We offer at least one per term to help you schedule your study plan around your lifestyle, progression through the course, and personal interest. Foundation-level unit codes begin with ‘00’ – for example, HAA003 Introduction to Family History.
We offer at least one foundation-level unit per term to help you schedule your study plan around your lifestyle, progression through the course, and personal interest.
If you are commencing Family History for the first time, we recommend starting with Introduction to Family History.
Term 1: 6 Feb - 16 Apr 2023
Term 3: 24 Jul - 1 Oct 2023
A key unit for those new to family history and genealogy. You will learn how to plan, record and research family history as well as critically evaluate historical resources and communicate your findings.
More information about Introduction to Family History
Term 2: 1 May - 9 Jul 2023
Learn how to get 'forensic' about the lives of past ancestors and interpret rich, sometimes disturbing evidence from historical convict, prison and court records.
More information about Convict Ancestors
Term 3: 24 Jul - 1 Oct 2023
Develop key skills for the writing of fiction and/or non-fiction based on genealogical records. Learn to craft and polish engaging and readable multigenerational family history narratives.
More information about Writing Family History
Term 4, 2023: 16 Oct - 24 Dec 2023
Find stories in your family treasure through homes, heirlooms, albums and art. Find immediate ways to relate to your family's past with remembering, researching and communicating family history and memories.
More information about Place, Image, Object
Introductory level units
These are a level higher than foundation units. We offer at least one per term to help you schedule your study plan around your lifestyle, progression through the course, and personal interest. Introductory level unit codes begin with ‘10’ – for example, HAA106 Oral History.
If you are commencing studies in Family History for the first time, we recommend starting with our Introduction to Family History foundation unit (listed above).
Term 1: 6 Feb - 16 Apr 2023
Australia is a migrant nation, with a rich and diverse mix of peoples, languages and cultures. Develop your archival and digital research skills and learn how to find Australia and New Zealand migration records and use them to tell your family’s migration story.
More information about Migrant Families
Term 2: 1 May - 9 Jul 2023
Learn about the important role of oral history in documenting family history and how to incorporate oral history into your research. Develop valuable practical skills in how to record, transcribe and share oral histories in written form.
More information about Oral History
Term 3: 24 Jul - 1 Oct 2023
Discover more about your family's unique military past. This unit introduces you to researching online military records, and to contextualising diverse experiences of war with a focus on Australia and Britain during the First World War.
More information about Families and War
Term 4, 2023: 16 Oct - 24 Dec 2023
Adventure or romance, tragedy or triumph, legends of extraordinary feats or quiet tales of everyday struggles. What kinds of stories are there in your family tree? Develop key skills for the writing of fiction and/or non-fiction based on genealogical records, with an emphasis on crafting and polishing engaging and readable multigenerational family history narratives.
More information about The Family Saga
Term 4, 2023: 16 Oct - 24 Dec 2023
Learn the basics of creating a family photo essay, as you work with media professionals, bringing words and images together to communicate family stories. Hone your writing skills and learn how to create, select, and edit photographic images.
More information about The Family Photo Essay
Find out more about what you'll study, entry requirements, fees and scholarships - and to apply.
Diploma of Family History
Minimum 1 year, up to a maximum of 3 Years Online
Taught by leading academics in history, genealogy and writing
Become part of a thriving online community of passionate family historians.
Develop your ability to trace the history of any family
Whatever your level of experience, this course will take your family history to the next level
Free access to Ancestry.com Library Edition & British Newspaper Archive
Access historical documents, photos, local narratives, oral histories and other resources from the 1500s to 2000s.
We all have stories in our family tree waiting to be told
Taught by leading scholars in family history, and specialists in Australian, European and Asian histories, this practical course will assist you in exploring your family’s past and enable you to become more proficient and comfortable in a digital environment.
To graduate with a Diploma of Family History, you need to complete eight units consisting of four Introductory units and four Foundation units.
There are four terms to the year, with two or three units offered each term. Many students study one unit per term to complete the Diploma in two years.
You can study these units in any order you choose, but we strongly recommend commencing your course with Introduction to Family History.
Study options in this degree
Foundation level units
These units are the best starting point for those commencing studies in Family History, or who are unfamiliar with university studies. You will need to complete four of these as part of the Diploma. Foundation-level unit codes begin with ‘00’ – for example, HAA003 Introduction to Family History.
Each term we offer one foundation and one introductory unit, to help you structure your studies around your lifestyle and progress through the Diploma. Our learning terms follow the Australian school structure so you can align your studies around family commitments.
If you are commencing studies in Family History for the first time, we recommend starting with Introduction to Family History.
Term 1: 6 Feb - 16 Apr 2023
Term 3: 24 Jul - 1 Oct 2023
A key unit for those new to family history and genealogy. You will learn how to plan, record and research family history as well as critically evaluate historical resources and communicate your findings.
More information about Introduction to Family History
Term 2: 1 May - 9 Jul 2023
Learn how to get 'forensic' about the lives of past ancestors and interpret rich, sometimes disturbing evidence from historical convict, prison and court records.
More information about Convict Ancestors
Term 3: 24 Jul - 1 Oct 2023
Develop key skills for the writing of fiction and/or non-fiction based on genealogical records. Learn to craft and polish engaging and readable multigenerational family history narratives.
More information about Writing Family History
Term 4, 2023: 16 Oct - 24 Dec 2023
Find stories in your family treasure through homes, heirlooms, albums and art. Find immediate ways to relate to your family's past with remembering, researching and communicating family history and memories.
More information about Place, Image, Object
Introductory level units
These are a level higher than foundation units. You will need to complete four of these as part of the Diploma of Family History. Each term we offer one foundation (above) and one introductory unit, to help you structure your studies around your lifestyle and progress through the Diploma. These units are a level higher than the Foundation units. Introductory level unit codes begin with ‘10’ – for example, HAA106 Oral History.
We offer at least one Introductory level unit per term to help you schedule your study plan around your lifestyle, progression through the course, and personal interest.
If you are commencing Family History for the first time, we recommend starting with Introduction to Family History foundation unit (listed above).
Term 1: 6 Feb - 16 Apr 2023
Australia is a migrant nation, with a rich and diverse mix of peoples, languages and cultures. Develop your archival and digital research skills and learn how to find Australia and New Zealand migration records and use them to tell your family’s migration story.
More information about Migrant Families
Term 2: 1 May - 9 Jul 2023
Learn about the important role of oral history in documenting family history and how to incorporate oral history into your research. You will also learn valuable practical skills on how to record, transcribe and share oral histories in written form.
More information about Oral History
Term 3: 24 Jul - 1 Oct 2023
Discover more about your family's unique military past. This unit introduces you to researching online military records, and to contextualising diverse experiences of war with a focus on Australia and Britain during the First World War.
More information about Families and War
Term 4, 2023: 16 Oct - 24 Dec 2023
Adventure or romance, tragedy or triumph, legends of extraordinary feats or quiet tales of everyday struggles. What kinds of stories are there in your family tree? Develop key skills for the writing of fiction and/or non-fiction based on genealogical records, with an emphasis on crafting and polishing engaging and readable multigenerational family history narratives.
More information about The Family Saga
Term 4, 2023: 16 Oct - 24 Dec 2023
Learn the basics of creating a family photo essay, as you work with media professionals, bringing words and images together to communicate family stories. You will hone your writing skills and learn how to create, select, and edit photographic images.
More information about The Family Photo Essay
Find out more about what you'll study, entry requirements, fees and scholarships - and to apply.
More than a Story
Leading genealogy experts from Australia and beyond share their insights and research in our More than a Story webinars. These webinars are free for anyone to view, and facilitated by your Family History lecturers. Click the video to view the full series on YouTube.
Want to join the conversation? Register here
