Graduate Diploma in Business (Enterprise Resource Planning Systems)

This graduate diploma is for people who want to work with enterprise resource planning systems, the big software platforms that run finance, supply chain, HR and operations inside large organisations. You study how these systems are configured, how business processes map onto them, and how data moves between departments. The course sits at graduate level, so it assumes you already have some business or IT background, or relevant work experience.

How the course is structured

Victoria University runs most postgraduate coursework on a semester basis, with some units offered in block mode or over the summer. A graduate diploma normally takes one year of full-time study and is made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You need to pass the required credit points to graduate. The exact unit list changes, so check the official course page for what you will actually enrol in. There is no honours component, that is a separate fourth year for bachelor degrees. A graduate diploma is a shorter qualification than a master's, which usually takes one to two years.

Expect a mix of lectures, tutorials and computer lab sessions where you work directly with ERP software. Assessment is often a combination of exams, assignments and group projects. Some units include a work-integrated learning component, such as a placement with an organisation that uses ERP systems, or a project where you solve a real business problem for a host company. VU has strong links with industry in Melbourne's west, and many students do their placement with local manufacturers, logistics firms or public sector bodies.

What you actually learn

You cover the core modules of an ERP system, financial accounting, procurement, inventory management, sales and distribution, and reporting. You learn to read a business process, work out where it breaks, and configure the system to fix it. There is usually some project management, because ERP implementations are big, messy projects that need someone who can plan and talk to both IT and finance people. You also pick up data analysis skills, since ERP systems generate enormous amounts of transactional data. By the end, you should be able to sit with a client, understand what they need, and translate that into system settings.

Who this suits

This course suits three groups. First, business graduates who want a technical edge, you understand accounting or supply chain, but you need the systems skills to get hired. Second, IT graduates who want to specialise in business applications rather than pure coding. Third, people already working in industry who use ERP systems daily and want a formal qualification to move into consulting, analysis or project roles. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, provided you meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements. English proficiency is required for admission, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for coursework postgraduate courses, with TOEFL, PTE and Cambridge C1 Advanced accepted as equivalents. The Student visa has its own English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs.

• ERP analyst, working with finance, supply chain or HR teams to configure and support systems like SAP, Oracle or Microsoft Dynamics. Employers include large retailers, manufacturers, banks and government departments.
• Business systems consultant, advising organisations on how to implement or upgrade ERP software. Consulting firms, software vendors and IT services companies hire for these roles.
• Supply chain analyst, using ERP data to forecast demand, manage inventory and improve logistics. Common in transport, warehousing and retail.
• Financial systems accountant, bridging the gap between the finance team and the ERP system, ensuring reports are accurate and processes are efficient.
• IT project officer, supporting the rollout of ERP modules, tracking budgets, schedules and user training. Many large Australian organisations run these projects in-house.
• Data analyst, pulling transactional data out of ERP systems and turning it into reports that managers use to make decisions. Roles exist across the public and private sectors.