Swinburne University of Technology
Graduate Certificate of Business Administration
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Build advanced skills in business, technology, innovation and customer experience while developing your ability to make informed decisions in changing business environments.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate of Business Administration is designed for professionals seeking to strengthen their business, management and leadership capabilities. It provides an introduction to contemporary business administration while examining how technology, innovation and entrepreneurship influence organisations and decision-making.
You will explore emerging technology, innovation, business law and customer experience management. Across these areas, you will develop skills in critical thinking, evaluating business challenges and applying business concepts to organisational contexts.
Delivered at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus, the course comprises four compulsory units totalling 50 credit points and can be completed in six months full-time or equivalent part-time study. The Graduate Certificate also forms the first stage of Swinburne’s Master of Business Administration, providing a pathway to further postgraduate business study.
Key facts
What you will study
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Business Administration, students must complete 50 credit points comprising four core units of study.
- Emerging Technology
- Technology and Innovation Immersion
- Law for Entrepreneurs
- Customer Experience Management
Entry requirements
To gain entry to the Graduate Certificate of Business Administration, you will need one of the following:
- A recognised bachelor's degree in a related discipline.
- A recognised bachelor's degree in any discipline, plus a minimum of two years of equivalent full-time relevant professional experience.
- A minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience.
Relevant managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to faculty-determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application. Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.
English language requirements
All Swinburne students must be able to meet out our English language requirements. You’ll be able to provide evidence of your English language skill if you have:
- completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or another type of secondary qualification taught in English
- completed some types of university or vocational education studies (tertiary studies) taught in English
- completed an English language test, such as TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson or C1
- completed an English language (ELICOS) course
- lived and worked in an English-speaking country for at least four years (domestic applicants only)
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have gained extensive and relevant knowledge through formal training or acquired relevant skills through work or through life experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
At completion of the Graduate Certificate of Business Administration, graduates will be able to:
- Apply advanced knowledge of business concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking.
- Apply problem-solving, design and decision-making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence,
- Communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and use the basic tools and practices of business within project work.
- Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, professional accountability and an awareness of professional practices in a global and sustainable context.
- Apply business fundamentals to the analysis, design and operation of a model using appropriate business methods and tools.
Career outcomes
Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in today’s complex and changing business environment. The examples below demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.
- General manager
- Project manager
- Operations manager
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated yearly and total fee in 2026: $18,870 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change based on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. These fees apply to units studied in 2026 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
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.