Explore your family's past.
Term 1, 2025 starts 03 February.
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Explore our courses
Diploma of Family History
Minimum 1 year, up to a maximum of 3 Years 
Online
Family History units are available to all Australian and New Zealand citizens, Permanent Residents, and Humanitarian Visa Holders, provided all studies are undertaken on-shore in Australia.
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
Join our passionate and supportive community of Family History experts.
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Access historical documents, photos, local narratives, oral histories and other resources from the 1500s to 2000s.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 assists you in exploring your family’s past and enables 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. Each unit is taught by specialists in Australian, British, European and Asian histories. As you progress through your course, you’ll learn how to research, write and creatively communicate family history.
You can study these units in any order to achieve your personal study goals and tailor the course for you.
There are four terms per year, with two or three units offered each term. Many students study one unit per term to complete the Diploma in two years.
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.
If you are commencing Family History for the first time, we recommend starting with Introduction to Family History.
If you are new to history and genealogy this unit is a great place to start. You will learn how to plan, record and research family history as well as explore historical resources and communicate your discoveries.
More information about Introduction to Family History
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
Develop key skills in writing fiction and non-fiction based on genealogical records. Learn to craft and refine engaging, readable multigenerational family history narratives.
More information about Writing Family History
Discover stories in your family treasures through homes, heirlooms, albums, and art. Find meaningful ways to connect with your family's past by remembering, researching, and sharing family history and memories.
More information about Place, Image, Object
Introductory level units
These are a level higher than foundation units, and we also offer at least one per term to help you schedule your study plan around your lifestyle, course progression, and personal interests.
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
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
Discover more about your family's unique military past. This unit introduces you to researching online military records and contextualising diverse experiences of war, with a focus on Australia and Britain during the First World War.
More information about Families and War
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 in writing fiction or non-fiction based on genealogical records, focusing on crafting and refining engaging, readable multigenerational family history narratives.
More information about The Family Saga
Learn the basics of creating a family photo essay by working with media professionals to combine words and images in communicating family stories. You will hone your writing skills and learn 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.
