Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 2 locations

Duration
0.5 year full-time or equivalent part-time
CRICOS Code
048590K
Fees (first year)*
$16564
Start dates
February 2026, July 2026, February 2027, July 2027

Overview

Gain enhanced professional recognition and marketability to advance your career. The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration gives you an overview of key business functions while also providing the foundation for a generalist management qualification in the Master of Business Administration. 

During this course, you will be introduced to important management disciplines such as finance, communications, marketing and business organisation. And you will get the opportunity to apply your new knowledge to your organisation via assessments. All our units are embedded with the United Nations sustainable goals.

If you wish to advance your qualification further, the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration articulates into our Master of Business Administration. It also provides a pathway to further postgraduate study if you have not completed a bachelor’s degree. 

  • 95% graduates employed

  • Top 10 Catholic universities globally

  • Top 40 young universities worldwide

Careers

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Specified UnitsACCT600 Accounting for Decision Making ORSpecified UnitsBUSN602 Money Management 10 cp
  • Specified UnitsBUSN609Business Communication for the 21st Century10 cp
  • Specified UnitsBUSN612Managing Market Environments10 cp
  • Specified UnitsMGMT641Organisational Dynamics and Behaviour10 cp

All units are delivered in campus attendance mode, unless otherwise indicated in the map.

Commencing Semester 2

All units are delivered in multi-mode, unless otherwise indicated in the map.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Graduate Certificate - AQF Level 8

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

  1. Equivalent of an Australian Bachelor’s degree in any discipline; or
  2. At least two years’ industry experience in a relevant role.

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

Applicants with higher education study

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

International applicants

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Applicants must have an overall academic IELTS of 6.5 (with an individual score of 6.0 for all tests) as well as a as the equivalent of an Australian Bachelor degree in any discipline; or at least two (2) years industry experience in a relevant role.

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration articulates into the Master of Business Administration.

Fees

Course costs

  • Unit fee: $4141
  • Average first year fee: $16564
  • Estimate total cost: $16564

The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.

Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

How to apply

International applicants

Deferment

Yes. See Defer your offer.

Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.

Staff Profile

Dr Samantha Murdy

Senior Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School

Dr Samantha Murdy is an academic in Marketing with over 15 years of teaching, research, and consulting experience. Before joining ACU, she worked in the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Strathclyde. She holds a PhD and a Bachelor (Honours) degree in Marketing. She also holds a PG Cert in Higher Education Teaching and is a member of the Higher Education Academy. Samantha has a keen research interest in conservation, sustainability, and community in relation to marketing in a tourism context.

 

Samantha has held many key strategic roles throughout her career including Undergraduate Director, Postgraduate Director of a suite of Marketing programs, and Deputy Director of Teaching and Learning. Samantha has taught and developed a variety of classes at UG, PG, and PhD levels. She has previously been nominated for teaching awards. Samantha served on the Faculty Academic Committee at the Strathclyde Business School 

Dr Syed Fazal-e-Hasan

Senior Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School

Syed has over ten years undergraduate and postgraduate teaching experience in Australia and overseas. Before joining the Australian Catholic University, Syed worked as a Senior Lecturer, Lecturer and Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Marketing at University of New England, University of Tasmania and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) respectively. Before this, he also worked as a Quantitative Analyst for School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, QUT. Syed has completed many research and entrepreneurial projects using advanced statistical and project management techniques. Projects contributed to include Devonport Digitalisation, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) and Global Entrepreneurship Monitor projects. With a research interest focused on consumer choices and responses, Syed's research has been published in the Journal of Business Research, Journal of Marketing Management, Journal of Services Marketing, and Journal of Retail and Consumer Services.

 

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