Graduate Diploma of Business
2026 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Business |
| Course Credit Points | 8 |
| Deakin course code | M656 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2025 onwards |
| Campus | This course is an exit option only. |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| 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
The Graduate Diploma of Business can only be completed as an exit option from the Master of Business. The course is made up of 8 credit points of study plus the Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin, DAI001.
Designed to build your core business capabilities, this course equips you with practical skills and advanced knowledge across key areas such as leadership, strategy, marketing and financial decision-making. Whether you are seeking to step into a management role or pivot your career, the course provides a strong foundation for diverse business environments.
You will graduate with the critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills needed to make informed business decisions and drive organisational success. The course is underpinned by real-world application and assessment, giving you experience you can take straight into the workplace.
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 Diploma of Business builds strong foundations in core business disciplines and practical problem-solving. It’s ideal for professionals looking to step into more senior or specialised business roles or transition into a new industry.
Career opportunities include:
- business analyst
- operations coordinator
- project coordinator
- client services manager
- administration manager
- account manager
- business process analyst .
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.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.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 | Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of a contemporary body of commerce and business theories and their application |
| Communication | Demonstrate business communication techniques to convey commerce concepts and proposals. |
| Digital literacy | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse a range of business- related information to evaluate courses of action and make informed business decisions. |
| Problem solving | Apply problem solving skills and techniques to analyse solutions and develop informed recommendations to real-world and ill-defined business problems. |
| Self-management | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |
| Teamwork | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |
| Global citizenship | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Business (exit option only) you must pass 8 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 4 credit points of course elective units
- 4 credit points of open elective units
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Compulsory 0-credit point module
Completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Course electives
Students complete 4 credit points of course electives selected from the list below
Select four (4) credit points of course electives from:
| MPP710 | Environmental Sustainability for Business |
| MPE701 | Information Technology, Markets and Business Strategy |
| MAA702 | Accounts, Accountability and Governance |
| MMM760 | Small Business Management |
| MIS798 | Project Management |
| MIS716 | Artificial Intelligence Strategies and Enterprise Applications |
| MMK701 | Research Design and Analysis |
| MPM755 | Applied Consultancy Project (Capstone) |
Open electives
The remaining four (4) credit points of open elective units may be selected from:
- course elective units in the Master of Business not previously studied
- any unit listed in the Postgraduate Faculty-wide specialisations
- Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units
- other postgraduate units offered by the University (subject to eligibility)
- Up to two (2) Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) equal to 1 credit point
Work experience
This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more elective work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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.