Graduate Certificate in Applied Business

What you will study

To achieve the full Graduate Certificate in Applied Business qualification, participants are required to successfully complete four units comprising two core units, plus two elective units from the electives list.

Core units

• Lead strategic transformation
• Manage financial performance

Elective units

Complete two units from the following:

• Lead innovative thinking and practice
• Lead strategic planning processes for an organisation
• Lead and manage organisational change

Entry requirements

Standard entry

A recognised bachelor's degree and three years of managerial work experience.

Non-graduate entry

A recognised diploma as well as five years of managerial work experience.

English language requirements

All Swinburne students must be able to meet the English language requirements. You’ll be able to provide evidence of your English language skills if you have one of the following:

• Completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or another type of secondary qualification taught in English.
• Completed some types of university or vocational education studies (tertiary studies).
• Completed English language tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson or C1.
• Completed an English language (ELICOS) course.
• Lived and worked in an English-speaking country for at least four years (domestic applicants only).

These requirements vary for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students, depending on your chosen course.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Contact the university of visit their website for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Learn transformational and collaborative practices and strategic leadership.
• Provide strategic leadership during times of dynamic change.
• Develop a change process with a clear rationale for the change and its objectives.
• Learn how to source financial data, liaise and negotiate with stakeholders, create financial management systems, manage costs and be able to change track when unforeseen events occur.
• Develop skills for creating a culture of innovative thinking and practice from the top down.
• Manage complex situations with a high level of innovation and problem-solving.
• Develop strategic skills necessary to develop and implement a successful operational plan.

Career outcomes

Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in today’s complex and changing business environment. The examples below demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.

• Senior manager
• Change manager
• Business lead
• Change lead

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated full fee in 2025: $14,960 (domestic full-fee paying place)

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• 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.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

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.