Top 3 business school in Melbourne
#2 business school in Melbourne for career impact
#1 Melbourne university for business course satisfaction
Why choose business at Deakin
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.
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Globally recognised business school
Study at a top 3 business school in Melbourne, known for strong career outcomes and industry relevance.
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Proven employability outcomes
Deakin is ranked #2 in Melbourne for career impact, supporting your career progression after graduation.
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Flexible postgraduate study
Fit study into your busy life with Deakin’s premium online learning and incorporate short skills-focused units to enhance career development.
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Internationally accredited quality
Study in a business school with AACSB and EQUIS accreditation, recognised globally for quality and academic excellence.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build core business knowledge and practical skills for roles in administration, coordination and business support.
Administration officer
Administration officers provide essential organisational support, coordinating schedules, records and communication to help teams and departments run smoothly.
- $73k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 3.9/5
Job satisfaction
Client services coordinator
Client services coordinators manage client relationships and enquiries, coordinating communication and administrative processes to ensure clients receive timely, effective support.
- $78k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 4.1/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Program support officer
- Client coordinator
- Sales support assistant
- Business support officer
FAQs
The cost of studying at Deakin depends on your degree, units and study load – tuition fees are listed on degree pages under the fees and scholarships tab. Beyond tuition, you will need to budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), accommodation, transport, groceries and textbooks. Find out more about the cost of living in Australia, use the Study Australia calculator to estimate living expenses and explore international scholarships which may help to reduce your tuition costs.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your postgraduate tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
It depends on the degree and how you study. Graduate certificates typically take six months full time or one year part time. Graduate diplomas usually take one year full time and masters degrees typically take one to two years full time. Recognition of prior learning can reduce your study time. Check the degree page for full details.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
We value your experience and qualifications. That is why every new degree application at Deakin is assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Through RPL, Deakin can assess your previous study and life experience and may award course credit that could reduce your study duration, as well as the cost of your study. Qualifications from universities and private tertiary institutions worldwide are considered, as is informal learning related to your degree. Use the RPL calculator to see how much credit you may be eligible for.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in a postgraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores, so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin’s postgraduate degrees are designed to advance your career, whether you want to deepen expertise in your field, move into a specialist role or shift direction entirely. All our degrees are shaped by industry partners, so what you learn reflects what employers need now and into the future. We’re proud to be the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. With flexible study options and financial support available, Deakin helps you gain the skills, recognition and confidence to reach your next professional goal.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Graduate Certificate of Business?
This course builds your understanding of contemporary business practice, giving you a flexible introduction to key areas while developing practical skills you can apply straight away.
Build core business foundations
Build foundational business capability
Explore key disciplines such as management, strategy and innovation to understand how organisations function and respond to change.
Explore your interests
Select from course and open electives to align your study with your goals and begin shaping your future direction.
Develop new professional skills
Choose two skills-focused stackable short courses as your open electives, with options ranging from leading diverse teams to design thinking.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Business, you must pass 4 credit points.
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.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
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)
What to expect while studying
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.
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.
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
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.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| 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. |
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Business
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- M556
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 117004B Burwood (Melbourne)
- 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
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$24,000
AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical enrolment of 4 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
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.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.