University of New South Wales
Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Graduate Diploma
Turn entrepreneurial ideas into viable ventures through an immersive startup incubator that combines practical experience, mentoring and industry connections.
Course overview
UNSW's Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship is a year-long startup incubator designed for aspiring founders ready to build, launch and grow innovative ventures. Through practical and immersive learning, the program develops entrepreneurial capability, leadership skills and the experience needed to turn ideas into viable businesses.
Throughout the program, you'll strengthen your ability to develop and refine business ideas while building the skills needed to navigate the startup journey. By working in a startup environment, engaging with experienced founders and applying entrepreneurial thinking to real-world challenges, you'll develop the capability to transform ideas into viable ventures.
The program extends beyond traditional coursework by connecting students with the broader UNSW startup ecosystem. Access to mentors, investors, research networks, Makerspace facilities and ongoing coaching, together with the opportunity to pitch to an angel investor community, creates a practical environment for venture development.
Key facts
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship, you must complete six core courses and one capstone project.
To earn the Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship, you must successfully complete units totalling 48 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.
Core units
- Identifying Opportunities
- Business Model and Lean Startup Methodologies
- Startup Placement
- Prototyping Design Solutions
- Startup 360
- Industry Projects in the Startup Ecosystem
Capstone Project
- Launching Your Startup (12 credit points)
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be eligible for the UNSW Startup Year Program, you must fulfil all of the following criteria:
- Completed a recognised degree from an accredited higher education provider in Australia.
- Achieved a Credit average (65 per cent or higher) in your degree.
- Be able to participate full time in the year-long program.
- Demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship and a desire to create or join a startup venture.
- Be a domestic student.
Note: Meeting the above entry requirements does not guarantee you will be offered a place in this program.
As well as the above, you will be required to submit a three minute motivational video as a part of your application. Applications and motivation videos will be screened. Applicants who are successful in the first phase will be invited to an online interview in the second phase of the selection process.
English language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets our requirements. Contact the university for further information. If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application.
You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses.
- Prior study in the medium of English.
- Other qualifications.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Business knowledge: Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and global business.
- Problem solving: Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.
- Business communication: Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.
- Teamwork: Students will interact and collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose or fulfil a common business project, and reflect critically on the process and the outcomes.
- Responsible business practice: Students will develop and be committed to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.
- Global and cultural competence: Students will be aware of business systems in the wider world and actively committed to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others, and will apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse environments.
- Leadership development: Students will develop the capacity to take initiative, encourage forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.
Career outcomes
This program has been designed for budding entrepreneurs who are seeking to build, launch and grow startups.
Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship program (Startup Year) with credit average (65) or above may be eligible for credits for up to three courses* into the Master of Business Administration (MBA), offered by AGSM@UNSW Business School.
*Entry into AGSM MBA programs is subject to meeting the AGSM Admissions Criteria.
UNSW Business School students have access to Career Accelerator, a suite of professional development opportunities including:
- Global work and study experiences
- Internships integrated with the degree for course credit
- Career mentors and industry networks
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $42,000 (Full-fee paying place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- 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 program.