Curtin University
Graduate Certificate in Business
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Build core capabilities across economics, financial decision-making, organisational behaviour and leadership while creating a pathway towards Curtin’s Master of Business Administration.
Course overview
Contemporary managers need to understand how financial, economic and organisational factors influence business performance. Curtin’s Graduate Certificate in Business is designed for emerging, middle and senior managers seeking to formalise their business knowledge, including applicants without a university qualification.
You will develop a foundation in managerial economics, financial decision-making and organisational behaviour. The course also allows you to select an option aligned with areas such as leadership, human resources, marketing, strategy, financial analysis, digital finance or reputation management.
After completing the Graduate Certificate, you may continue into Curtin’s Master of Business Administration, with eight additional units required to complete the MBA. Curtin Business School holds EQUIS and AACSB International accreditation, while Curtin’s MBA is EFMD Accredited.
Delivered online, the course can be completed in six months of full-time study or the part-time equivalent. Graduates can apply their broader business and management capabilities across private, public and not-for-profit organisations in areas including consultancy, finance, government, healthcare, resources and retail.
Key facts
3rd May, 2027
30th August, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Business, you must successfully complete units totalling 100 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 25 credit points.
Core units
- Economics for Managers
- Executive Financial Decision Making
- Organisational Behaviour for Managers
Elective units
Select 25 credit points from the following:
- Analysis and Visualisation of Financial Data
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Digital Finance and the Law
- Managerial Effectiveness
- Fundamentals of Leadership
- Human Resource Strategies
- Synergising Marketing
- Strategy, Change and Innovation
- Reputation Management
It is recommended to choose a unit from the elective list that is included in the MBA specialisation you wish to enrol in once admitted to the Master of Business Administration.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be eligible for this course, you must meet one of the following entry pathways:
- Hold an undergraduate degree and have at least two (2) years of relevant work experience.
- Applicants without an undergraduate degree will have three (3) to five (5) years of relevant work experience.
Entry is competitive and places are limited. Applicants may be required to attend an interview.
Applicants must provide the following application documents:
- A CV or resume clearly outlining the previous work experience and roles.
- A personal statement.
- Referee or employer recommendations.
English language requirements
Curtin requires applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. You can meet this requirement by providing evidence of one of the following:
- An IELTS Academic overall band score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
- An alternative English language test accepted by Curtin, provided you achieve the required equivalent scores.
- An eligible previous qualification or another form of English language evidence accepted by Curtin.
Contact the university or visit its website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit for recognised learning is not available for the Graduate Certificate in Business. Students may be offered waivers for certain units under specific circumstances, but must select other approved units as a substitute. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Graduates will learn the following skills during the course:
- Access and critique contemporary business theories, concepts and principles and be able to apply these to add value in an organisational environment.
- Effectively communicate in various modes to gather, advise or influence stakeholders for a desired outcome.
- Formulate responsible management and leadership decisions that are evidence-based and supported by a critical evaluation of markets, human resources and/ or accounting information.
- Critically review personal, professional, team and organisational practices for opportunities to innovate or apply principles of ethics, sustainability or corporate social responsibility.
Careers outcomes
Graduates may pursue careers in roles such as:
- Analyst
- Business Administration manager
- Management Consultant
- Managing Director
- Project Manager
Industries:
- Banking and Finance
- Consultancy
- Education
- Government
- Health Care
- Non-profit
- Private Business
- Public Relations
- Resources and Renewables
- Retail
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $19,267 (Full-fee paying place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.