Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (online)
Develop a core business foundation while continuing to work, applying what you learn on the job.
Accelerate your career or change direction with a graduate business program that fits around you.
Our Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is designed for aspiring leaders who want to make a difference without putting their life on hold.
Comprising of Business Essentials, our foundational business program, and two core subjects from our MBA program, you’ll develop a core business foundation while continuing to work, applying what you learn on the job. And if you choose, you can go further by studying a Graduate Diploma – or jump straight into the MBA itself. It's the most flexible way to study a graduate business program, while learning new skills that can be applied immediately at work.
Student Experience
People come to Melbourne Business School because they want to study with the best.
We attract some of the brightest academics from around the world, who teach in class sizes much smaller than their colleagues overseas and are accessible to you throughout your studies.
Our campus is just four tram stops from the centre of Melbourne and has vibrant communal areas with accommodation available nearby.
We offer opportunities for self-development via a wide range of electives, co-curricular activities, and host regular industry networking events.
Success Story
I had flexibility for home and class, which I used for extra research and that gave me a better handle on the content.
CHRISTINE CRAWSHAW
Associate, McKinsey & Company
What You'll Study
Students will complete Leadership and Business Essentials and then choose from a number of core and elective subjects.
50 credit points total required to complete the program.
Business Essentials 1 (12.5)
Develop an essential foundation for becoming an effective business executive, including the skills for successfully completing more advanced subjects of the MBA program.
You will gain a clear understanding of the key areas needed to successfully manage a business, including leading and managing people, growing demand, managing operations, and managing financial sustainability.
Core Subjects
Managerial Ethics and Business Environment (6.25 = 0.5 subject)
Find out how the societal context affects organisations and their strategies, as well as why managerial ethical problems frequently arise in the business context.
Learn to evaluate business decisions by considering various stakeholders and the moral reasoning frameworks that can help you be more aware of ethical pitfalls.
Data Analysis (12.5)
Gain the core skills to extract information from data in order to understand business processes and make better managerial decisions.
You will learn quantitative analysis, analytical thinking and ways to measure and improve performance, which will build a framework for solving complex business problems and the foundation for advanced MBA subjects.
Managing People (12.5)
Acquire the analytical skills to identify, diagnose and solve people-related challenges in organisations.
You will use tools to examine different theoretical concepts and perspectives that underlie behaviour to improve organisational, group and individual outcomes in a practical manner.
Marketing (12.5)
Learn to manage market demand using proven demand‐side strategies.
You will learn to recognise, create, grow and protect market‐based assets that influence demand and how marketing investments help develop and translate market‐based assets into outcomes that ensure an organisation’s long‐term survival and success.
Financial Accounting (12.5)
Learn to interpret and analyse financial statements in order to extract useful information for better decision-making and assessing the financial health of an organisation.
Accounting is the “language of business”, and what you learn in this subject is essential for successfully completing other MBA subjects such as Finance, Strategy and Mergers and Acquisitions.
Finance (12.5)
Establish a solid foundation for valuing financial assets and selecting and managing investment projects.
You will discover how to manage a firm to increase the wealth of shareholders, subject to fulfilling contractual and legal obligations to relevant stakeholders.
Managerial Economics (12.5)
Discover the economic principles that underlie nearly all business functions, including finance, marketing, negotiations, accounting and strategy.
You will discover tools and ways of thinking for assessing and evaluating different business options, understanding competition and different market structures, pricing new products, and negotiating winning deals.
Choose subjects from the broad range featured here, where pre-requisites are met.
You can exit the program at this point with a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, or, if you choose, use the program as a pathway to progress into further study.
Meet With Us
Let us answer your questions face-to-face.
The best way to find out more about studying at Melbourne Business School is to speak with us. We can meet with you one-on-one at our Carlton Campus, or schedule a video conference at a time that suits you.
We can assist you with information on subjects and study materials, campus life, funding your course as well as guide you through your application.
If you're interested in studying at Melbourne Business School, please join us for an information session or contact us to arrange a time that suits you.
Career Services
By partnering with leading organisations, our Career Services can connect you to top-tier firms in Australia and around the world.
Our career coaches will help you develop your job-hunting skills, maximise your future opportunities and increase your chances of success.
Investment
Program Fee
The program fee for 2025 is $5,150 (2025) per subject (12.5 credit points equivalent)
Fees are paid per subject, per term in advance*.
Fee-HELP
FEE-HELP is available for eligible Australian citizens and some permanent residents.
Company Sponsorship
Many students share the cost of studying with their employer. Melbourne Business School is happy to provide a business case to share with your employer about the benefits of studying a Part-time MBA to the organisation. Please contact us for more information.
Other Costs
Approximately $120 per subject is a reasonable amount to budget for textbooks and other study-related expenses.
*Fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted to take into account cost increases. The School guarantees that fees will not increase by more than 10 per cent from year to year.
How to Apply
Application Process
Apply
- Commence an application to become familiar with the application process.
- Meet with us to find out more about the School and program.
- Complete and submit your application by the application closing date.
Offer
The Selection Committee will make the final decision on each applicant, usually within four weeks. All applicants will be notified of the outcome via email.
Application Deadlines
Closing dates for 2024 are as follows:
Term 4 Intake (September 2024)
Early round closing date: 22 July 2024
Final Application deadline: 19 August 2024
Closing dates for 2025 are as follows:
Term 1 Intake (8 January 2025)
Final Application deadline: 25 November 2024
Term 2 Intake (26 March 2025)
Final Application deadline: 3 March 2025
Term 3 Intake (18 June 2025)
Final Application deadline: 26 May 2025
Term 4 Intake (10 September 2025)
Final Application deadline: 18 August 2025
The deadline for all applications is 11.59pm AEST.
Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further advice.
Application Requirements
For a successful application, you will need:
- An up-to-date CV, showing a minimum of two (2) years’ of professional work experience.
- A copy of your undergraduate academic transcript and any postgraduate transcripts, if relevant.
- A passport or verified document showing current citizenship / residency status.
- An excellent command of English (copy of IELTS or TOEFL score*, where required) if you are a non-native speaker.
- Personal statements relating to your goals and how you can contribute to the program (not required for the Professional Certificate or Graduate Certificate).
- The names and contact details of two (confidential) professional referees (not required for the Professional Certificate or Graduate Certificate).
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
You are also welcome to supply additional information that you believe will strengthen your application. The School may also request additional information to assist the admission decision.
This program is only open to domestic students (Australian/NZ citizens, Australian PR visa holders or any Australian visas without study restrictions).
It is a university requirement that applicants provide evidence that they meet the published entry requirements. Uncertified documentation does not provide this evidence; however we accept uncertified documents for the purpose of selection, and reserve the right to request your original certified documentation at any time.
*For IELTS, you will need a minimum score of 7.0 overall, with no individual score less than 6.5.
For TOEFL iBT, you will need a minimum score of 102, with a written score minimum of 24 and no individual score lower than 21.
PTE Overall score minimum of 70, with writing skills of minimum 65 and no other communicative skill below 64
Entry Requirements
- Two years of work experience
- An undergraduate Degree or six years of work experience
- English proficiency
For more information, visit our application FAQ's page.
Apply Now
Study Options
Upon completion of your Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, go further with a Graduate Diploma – or jump straight into the MBA itself.
Equip yourself with the essential personal skills and management tools for becoming a better business executive.
Take a deeper dive and develop a core business foundation while continuing to work, applying what you learn on the job.
Gain a complete business toolkit that will develop your understanding of how to deliver value across all areas of business.
Complete the Part-time MBA to unlock your full potential, transform the way you see business and maximise your career opportunities.
Program Enquiry
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