Deakin University
Graduate Certificate of Business Administration
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Enhance your business skills in organizational management to become a more effective leader. Broaden your career opportunities or prepare for further studies.
Course overview
Expand your understanding of fundamental business principles with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Business Administration. Whether you want to improve your performance in your current job or expand your future options, this course can be an impactful step towards your career aspirations.
Learn to contribute to business goals by understanding organisational management and develop the tools and capacity to be an effective leader. Study alongside like-minded peers and learn from industry experts.
In the Graduate Certificate of Business Administration, you will learn about global business challenges and gain insights into how to address them. Your studies will cover strategic management, economic concepts and financial decision-making and you will have the opportunity to study an elective that interests you.
This course is a pathway to the Graduate Diploma of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and combined MBA courses.
Key facts
July, 2026
What you will study
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Business Administration, students must attain a total of four credit points, consisting of three credit points of core units, completion of the compulsory zero credit point Academic Integrity Module and one credit point open elective unit.
- Strategy and Value Creation
- Financial Decision Making
- The Economic Environment
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements and individual circumstances. You must meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree, you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree or higher in any discipline with at least three years of relevant work experience* (or part-time equivalent).
- At least five years of relevant work experience or part-time equivalent.
Definition of minimum work experience: three years relevant work experience, and must include at least two years (full-time equivalent) in a managerial or professional role with responsibilities for decision-making in a range of areas, including budgetary oversight, staffing and management, involvement in strategy and planning development and operational implementation.
Definition of minimum work experience: must include at least three years (full-time equivalent) in a managerial or professional role with responsibilities for decision-making in various areas, including budgetary oversight, staffing and management, involvement in strategy and planning development and operational implementation.
Non-academic requirements
You must provide the following with your application:
- A current CV that clearly demonstrates professional/managerial experience.
- Current contact details of two referees who can be contacted concerning your work experience.
- A one-page brief outlining why you believe your peers would value your work experience in the course.
English language requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised English-speaking country.
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent.
- Other evidence of English language proficiency (contact the university for more information).
Recognition of Prior Learning
The university aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to Deakin's Recognition of Prior Learning system, which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
If you have a membership with one of Deakin Business School’s partner organisations, you may be eligible for course credit to put towards your degree. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Business Administration can help you progress your career in all areas of business from administration to business strategy.
As a graduate, you may find employment in areas such as:
- Financial Planning
- Corporate Governance
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing
Professional recognition
Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide.
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental business principles and concepts and integrate own business expertise to develop insights into complex, contemporary business issues and apply this to address emerging global business trends and challenges.
- Demonstrate high-level communication skills to articulate a range of business concepts and their application.
- Critically analyse and evaluate business data and information, complex ideas and theories and their application in an organisational environment.
- Apply problem solving skills to analyse, develop and recommend solutions for complex business issues.
- Work and learn independently and take responsibility for personal actions.
- Demonstrate understanding of global business issues and social and cultural contexts that influence them.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $20,000 (domestic full-fee paying place).
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of four credit points (normally four units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.