Graduate Certificate of Business
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 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 2027 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
Start building your business capability with Deakin’s flexible Graduate Certificate of Business, delivered by the #1 Victorian university for business graduate employment. Designed for graduates from any discipline, this course helps you develop the core business knowledge and practical skills employers look for.
Explore strategy, finance, marketing, business technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, gaining insight into how organisations operate, adapt to change, and grow. Learning is shaped by industry, so you connect theory with real-world business challenges and emerging trends from the start.
Build confidence and skills that you can apply in professional contexts, preparing you for career progression, or further study in the Master of Business. Alongside your studies, you can access Deakin’s award-winning DeakinTALENT careers service, with lifelong support including personalised coaching, job opportunities and industry connections.
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
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Develop core knowledge of fundamental business principles and concepts and apply this in contemporary business contexts. |
| Demonstrate business communication techniques to convey complex business concepts. |
| Not explicitly assessed as a learning outcome in this award. |
| Critically analyse a range of complex business related information to make informed business decisions. |
| Apply problem solving skills and techniques to analyse solutions and develop informed recommendations to real-world business problems. |
| Not explicitly assessed as a learning outcome in this award. |
| Not explicitly assessed as a learning outcome in this award. |
| Not explicitly assessed as a learning outcome in this award. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
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.