Top 3 business school in Victoria
#2 business school in Victoria for career impact
#1 Victorian 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.
-
Top-ranked business school
Study at a top 3 business school in Victoria, recognised for strong career outcomes and industry relevance.
-
Proven employability
Deakin is #2 in Victoria for career impact, helping you move confidently from study into your career.
-
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.
-
Globally accredited quality
Study at a business school with AACSB and EQUIS accreditation, placing you among an elite group of institutions worldwide.
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
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*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.
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
- 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
$17,500
- Full-fee paying place
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. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your tuition fees.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your 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.