Key facts
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
This highly flexible course is for students with a degree in any field, who want to refine their business skills and industry expertise.
Advance your career with a graduate certificate from a top 3 business school in Victoria* that exposes you to the key areas that impact business today. You will learn the principles underpinning social responsibility, business technology, financial systems, innovation and entrepreneurship, and how each of these areas 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 provides a direct pathway to the Master of Business.
*AFR BOSS Best Business Schools 2023
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Business
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- M556
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Business, students must attain a total of 4 credit points, consisting of 3 credit points of course elective units, 1 credit point of open elective units, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.
3
Course elective units
1
Open elective units
4
Total units
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Course elective units
Students must complete a minimum of three (3) credit points of course electives from the following:
Open elective units
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)
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
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.
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.
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.
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher
- at least two years’ relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Online studies
Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.
However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about tuition fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
Further study options
M756 Master of Business
Careers
Career outcomes
Completing a Graduate Certificate of Business opens up opportunities for employment in a diverse range of sectors. Apply your knowledge of business and practical experience to elevate your career in the industry of your choice.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| 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. |