Graduate Diploma of Business Administration

The Graduate Diploma of Business Administration at VIT is a one-year course for people who want the core of an MBA without committing to a full master's. You study the same broad ground, accounting, finance, marketing, organisational behaviour, operations and strategy, at graduate level. It suits someone moving into management, or a graduate from another field who needs business knowledge on top of what they already know.

How the course is structured

Australian graduate diplomas sit at AQF level 8, one step above a bachelor degree and one below a master's. This one runs for one year full time, usually across two semesters or three trimesters. You complete a set of units of study, each worth a fixed number of credit points, and you need to pass the required total to graduate. Some institutions let you credit units from a graduate diploma into a master's later, so it can act as a stepping stone, confirm the exact pathway with VIT.

Teaching mixes lectures, tutorials and group work. Assessment is typically a combination of exams, assignments, case studies and presentations. Where the course includes a capstone unit, it brings the material together through a practical business project or a research-based report. Work-integrated learning and industry projects appear in many Australian business courses; check the VIT course page for what this particular diploma includes.

What you learn

You build skills in financial analysis, managing teams, marketing planning, business data and strategic decision-making. The point is to be able to read a set of accounts, argue a business case and lead a project. Classmates often come from different industries, which is part of the value, you learn from their experience as much as from the lecturer.

Who it suits

This course fits early-career professionals, career changers and international students who want an Australian qualification in business. It also suits people who plan to continue to a master's degree and want a shorter, lower-cost first step. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances. English entry is usually IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for coursework postgraduate study, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs sets its own separate English requirement for the Student visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm structure, entry requirements and fees on the official VIT page before applying.

• Business manager or team leader in retail, hospitality, logistics or professional services
• Operations or project coordinator
• Management consultant (junior) in consulting firms
• Marketing or business development officer
• Financial analyst or accounts officer
• Human resources officer or people and culture coordinator
• Small business owner or manager
• Government or not-for-profit program officer

Hiring industries in Australia include banking and finance, professional services, retail, health administration, technology, manufacturing, government and education.