Graduate Certificate in Business

The Graduate Certificate in Business is a short postgraduate qualification for people who want a grounding in how businesses operate, or who need a recognised credential to move into a new area of work. At Polytechnic Institute Australia it runs for 26 weeks, which is roughly one semester of full-time study. You will cover the core areas of business administration, management, marketing, finance, organisational behaviour and how businesses make decisions, at a postgraduate level. Class sizes tend to be small and teaching is practical, with case studies drawn from Australian organisations.

How the qualification is structured

Australian graduate certificates sit at Level 8 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, one step below a master's degree. They are made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you normally complete four units over the 26 weeks. Assessment is a mix of essays, reports, group projects, presentations and exams. Because the course is short, there is usually no separate research thesis or capstone, the final units often pull together what you have learned through a practical business project.

Some students use the graduate certificate as a stepping stone. If you complete it to a satisfactory standard, many Australian institutions let you apply for credit towards a master's degree such as an MBA, so you do not repeat the units you have already passed. Check the pathway rules with the institute before you enrol.

What you gain

You finish with the ability to read a balance sheet, write a business case, manage a small team and understand how marketing and operations fit together. Those skills are useful whether you are running your own business, moving into a supervisory role or preparing for further study. The course also gives you a taste of postgraduate study if you are not ready to commit to a full master's.

Who it suits

This qualification suits people with a bachelor's degree in another field who want business skills, and also people with significant work experience who want a formal credential. It is popular with international students who want an Australian qualification without the time and cost of a two-year master's. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after you finish, depending on your circumstances. English requirements for international applicants are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for coursework postgraduate study, though you should confirm the exact score and accepted equivalents on the official page.

• Team leader or supervisor in retail, hospitality, logistics or professional services
• Business development or sales coordinator
• Marketing assistant or coordinator
• Operations or project support officer
• Administration or office manager
• Small business owner or manager
• Pathway to further study such as an MBA or Master of Business

Graduates work across Australian industries including retail, financial services, professional services, healthcare administration, government and not-for-profit organisations. The qualification is also a common route into postgraduate business study for people changing careers.