Graduate Certificate of Business

START YOUR POSTGRADUATE BUSINESS JOURNEY
Course Overview
Learn foundational business and management knowledge while preparing for further study opportunities.

The Graduate Certificate of Business equips you with the essential knowledge and practical skills to succeed across a wide range of industries. In just one semester, you’ll develop core capabilities in management, marketing communications, and economics, preparing you for diverse business roles.
Designed as both a stand-alone qualification and a pathway to the Graduate Diploma and Master of Business, this course supports professional development, further study, and future leadership opportunities. Whether you are seeking immediate career opportunities or planning to continue your postgraduate journey, the Graduate Certificate of Business is a strong foundation for growth and success.
Duration:
6 months full-time
Part time enrolment is available for domestic students and must be completed within 4 years
^Tuition Fee:
International Students
$9,750 per semester
Domestic Students
$6,200 per semester
FEE-HELP available for eligible Domestic students
Materials Fee:
N/A
Study Mode:
Face-to-face
Location:
Perth and Adelaide
CRICOS Course Code:
116342C
^Tuition fees and other charges are set each year and will apply at the time that a Letter of Offer is issued, and are subject to annual review.
Why Study This Course at Stanley College?
Successful completion will guarantee entry into our Graduate Diploma of Business or Master of Business.
The curriculum is designed to equip you with the real-world skills and competencies that employers seek. This will give you a competitive edge in the job market.
You’ll be taught by experienced, knowledgeable lecturers who are leaders in their fields. This ensures you receive high-quality, up-to-date instruction.
Course Structure
| Course Duration | 1 semester, 6 months |
| Credit Points | To graduate with a Graduate Certificate of Business students must complete a total of 40 credit points. |
| Units | Units will be delivered over 1 semester, with 4 units in each semester for a full-time load. |
Course Entry Requirements
01 Academic Admission Requirements
Entry is available to applicants who meet the following conditions:
- A recognised Australian (AQF Level 7) or equivalent Bachelor’s degree or higher
- A minimum of five years of relevant work experience, which includes at least three years of management experience, or significant technical experience; OR
- An Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree (AQF Level 6) or learning equivalent to an AQF Level 6 qualification and at least three years relevant work experience; OR
- Completion of the Graduate Certificate stage at the Institute (or equivalent at a recognised HEP or University)
02 English Language Requirements
Satisfactory English language proficiency demonstrated by either:
- An English Language pass level in an Australian Senior Certificate of Education (Year 12) or equivalent; or
- A minimum score of 135 for the STAT Multiple-Choice component and a minimum score of 140 for the STAT Written English component.
- Evidence of satisfactory completion of an accredited tertiary award in English (Diploma/AQF 5 or above); or
- Prior Study in English (Qualification / Recognised Countries), Complete 5 years of full-time study in English in Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, United States, or South Africa
- Attainment of a specified level of achievement in an approved English Language test as listed below
○ IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 with an individual score of 6 for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
○ TOEFL Internet Based Test: Overall score of 79 with an individual score of 18 for Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing
○ Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) : Overall score of 169 and achievement of C1 Advanced level
○ Pearson Test of English (PTE): Overall score of 54 and a score of 50 for each skill or section
○ Occupational English Test (OET): Overall achievement of C+ for each skill or section
○ Comprehensive English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Overall score of 9.0 with a score of 6.0 for individual skill or section
○ LANGUAGECERT Academic: Overall score of 70
○ Michigan English Test (MET): Overall score of 58-61 with an individual score of 53-57 for each skill or section.
○ Duolingo: Overall score of 120-125 and a score of 105-115 for each skill or section
○ Oxford Test of English (OTE) Advanced: Achievement of B2 level
03 Alternate Entry
Stanley College takes into account educational disadvantage when assessing admissions. The alternative entry option is for applicants who are unable to meet the admission requirements detailed above. It also allows candidates from underrepresented groups or those who have experienced educational disadvantage to seek entry into Stanley College higher education courses.
Admission by the Alternate Admissions requires applicants to sit for the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) and achieve the following scores:
- A minimum score of 135 for the STAT Multiple-Choice component and a minimum score of 140 for the STAT Written English component.
- Ensure that their STAT results are available to Stanley College at least 3 weeks prior to the commencement of the academic semester in the desired intake period.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students are encouraged to apply for entry to any undergraduate-level course through general admissions or, if appropriate, by Alternate Entry.
Applicants with insufficient preparation to commence the Master of Business course at Stanley College will be provided with information on other institutions that offer bridging courses or foundation studies. They will be encouraged to re-apply upon successful completion of a qualification that satisfies the College’s entry requirements.
04 Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Applicants will be able to apply for Credit for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) on a case-by-case basis to determine their suitability and readiness for admission into the Stanley College Master of Business. Students that have a Bachelor of Business/Commerce will be eligible to apply for up to four units (one semester) of credit.
Applicants who wish to apply for credit must do so at the time of application for admission at Stanley College. The applicant must first indicate his/her wish to apply for credit on the Application for Enrolment Form. The Admissions Officer will forward the Course Credit – Higher Education Form to the applicant. The applicant will be required to provide certified evidence demonstrating successful completion of subjects (‘pass’ grade or higher) or complete courses of formal study, provided they meet the equivalency conditions stated in the Credit and RPL Policy.
A Pathway To Your Master Of Business
Our Graduate Certificate of Business is the ideal postgraduate qualification to launch your leadership career and establish a robust business foundation. After successfully finishing your Graduate Certificate, you can further your studies to obtain your Graduate Diploma or Master of Business. This qualification provides a pathway into further postgraduate business study.
The course covers the initial 4 units of the complete graduate diploma or master’s. You can exit at this stage with a highly respected postgraduate qualification if you’re studying towards your graduate diploma or master’s.
Graduate Certificate4 Units
Exit or continue studying
Graduate Diploma+ 4 Units (8 Units Total)
Exit or continue studying
Master Degree+ 8 Units
(16 Units Total)
Career Opportunities

- Executive Assistant
- Small Business Owner
- Project Manager
- Operations Assistant
- Retail Manager
- Office Manager
- Sales Executive
- Tourism Manager
Year 1
| Units | Credit Points | Prerequisites | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students can complete any four units from the following seven units | |||
| Semester 1 | MBS501 Accounting for Managers | 10 | - |
| MBS502 Organisational Behaviour and Management | 10 | - | |
| MBS503 Managerial Economics | 10 | - | |
| MBS504 Strategic Marketing Management | 10 | - | |
| MBS505 Business Analytics for Managers | 10 | - | |
| MBS506 Leading People in Organisations | 10 | - | |
| MBS507 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management | 10 | - | |
Facilities and Student Support
Studying at the higher education level can be challenging, but it also offers a rewarding experience. Stanley College has plenty of services for students to help them with both their academic and personal needs – from Orientation sessions before the semester starts through industry and social activities:
- Academic Skills Support Sessions
- English Support
- Learning Management Systems
- Accommodation Referral Services
- Access to Computers and Free Wi-Fi On Campus
- A Range of Social Activities
- Employment Liaison Services
- Personal Support and Counselling Services
- Student Representation
Course Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Stanley College Graduate Certificate of Business will:
01 Knowledge
Graduates will have an advanced theoretical and technical knowledge in core business discipline subjects and be able to critically evaluate core business decisions and problems.
02 Communication and Collaboration
- Demonstrate effective written and spoken communication of business concepts to a variety of professional and non-professional stakeholders and audiences.
- Collaborate effectively with a range of professional, non-professional partners and stakeholders.
03 Self-Management
Demonstrate self-management through their ability to critically self-assess and reflect on feedback, to support their own professional and personal development.
04 Judgement and Ethics
Demonstrate integrity and accountability by responding critically and ethically, and with intellectual independence to issues and dilemmas in a business leadership and management context.
05 Critical Thinking
Critically examine, analyse, consolidate, and synthesise technical and theoretical knowledge about business and management to recommend solutions to complex business problems.
06 Application of Knowledge and Skills
Graduates will apply knowledge and skills to respond to business problems. They will demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner or learner.
Rules of Progression
The following course rules apply:
- The Graduate Certificate of Business will be awarded upon successfully completing all 4 units of study (40 credit points).
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