Graduate Certificate of Business
2026 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Business |
| Course Credit Points | 4 |
| Deakin course code | M556 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2025 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Duration | 0.5 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2026 This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2026 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 117004B Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
This highly flexible course is designed for students with a degree in any field, who want to build their business skills and gain industry relevant expertise.
Advance your career with a graduate certificate from one of the top 3 business school in Victoria*. You will explore the key areas shaping business today. You will learn the principles underpinning social responsibility, business technology, financial systems, innovation and entrepreneurship, and learn how they influence revenue and business success.
Gain the skills to tackle the business challenges of tomorrow.
Customise your studies to match your unique career goals by selecting from a wide range of electives, all while earning a business qualification valued by employers. Study online or at Burwood and graduate ahead of the curve with a business degree that prepares you for the future.
Want to keep your options open for further study? This course offers a direct pathway to the Master of Business.
*AFR BOSS Best Business Schools 2024
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Career opportunities
The Graduate Certificate of Business is ideal for those starting their business career, changing professions, or seeking formal credentials to enhance their current role. It provides a valuable introduction to business fundamentals and professional communication.
Career opportunities include:
- program support officer
- administration officer
- client coordinator
- sales support assistant
- executive assistant
- business support officer.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Develop core knowledge of fundamental business principles and concepts and apply this in contemporary business contexts. |
| Communication | Demonstrate business communication techniques to convey complex business concepts. |
| Digital literacy | Not explicitly assessed as a learning outcome in this award. |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse a range of complex business related information to make informed business decisions. |
| Problem solving | Apply problem solving skills and techniques to analyse solutions and develop informed recommendations to real-world business problems. |
| Self-management | Not explicitly assessed as a learning outcome in this award. |
| Teamwork | Not explicitly assessed as a learning outcome in this award. |
| Global citizenship | Not explicitly assessed as a learning outcome in this award. |
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Business you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 3 credit points of course elective units
- 1 credit point of open elective units.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Course electives
Students must complete a minimum of three (3) credit points of course electives from the following:
| MPP710 | Environmental Sustainability for Business |
| MPE701 | Information Technology, Markets and Business Strategy |
| MAA702 | Accounts, Accountability and Governance |
| MMM760 | Small Business Management |
Open electives
One (1) credit point of open elective which may be chosen from:
• A unit that has not been attempted from the list above
• Other postgraduate units offered by the University (subject to eligibility)
• Up to two (2) Deakin stackable short courses equal to 1 credit point (0.5cp microcredentials)
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.