SCU - Graduate Diploma in Business

Apply now

Course summary

The business world is constantly evolving, with issues such as changing technology, greater global mobility and increasing competition all factors in this process.

As a business owner or professional, you need to understand the core business principles that help you succeed and stay ahead in today’s fast-paced world.

This one-year program includes study in financial analysis and budget control, marketing concepts, consumer behaviour, market systems and their limitations. It also examines the impact of government policy on the business environment.

As well as guiding you towards bigger management roles, the Graduate Diploma of Business is a pathway to further study, including Southern Cross University's MBA program. Graduates are awarded advanced standing of eight units into the MBA.

Learn more about this online course.

Domestic snapshot

Duration	Location	Study Period
16mths P Duration may vary depending on unit availabilities, previous study or work experience	SCU Online	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Duration

Location

Study Period

16mths P

Duration may vary depending on unit availabilities, previous study or work experience

SCU Online

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

International snapshot

Duration	Location	Study Period
16mths P	SCU Online	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Duration

Location

Study Period

16mths P

SCU Online

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Major areas of study

The Graduate Diploma in Business includes study in financial analysis and budget control, marketing concepts such as relationship marketing and consumer behaviour, and market systems and their limitations, including impacts of government policy on business environments.

You will develop an understanding of organisational behaviour, administrative hierarchy, job design, international business, project management, communication leadership and teamwork in the contemporary organisation. You will also study market systems and their limitations, including impacts of government policy on business environments.

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour	Develop and create professional solutions to specific problem from a discipline area. Critically evaluate, analyse and synthesise a specific issue or theory from a professional area to arrive at a conclusion/decision with justification.
Creativity	Develop and create professional solutions to specific problem from a discipline area. Critically evaluate, analyse and synthesise a specific issue or theory from a professional area to arrive at a conclusion/decision with justification.
Ethical practice	Analyse and compare challenging organizational ethical issues within a professional context. Apply discipline based knowledge and professional skills in situations that require autonomy and a high level of responsible behaviour.
Knowledge of a discipline	Demonstrate and apply well-developed discipline knowledge and professional skills in a specialised management area within a global perspective. Apply and integrate research principles and methods to professional management situations.
Lifelong learning	Develop and create professional solutions to specific problem from a discipline area. Critically evaluate, analyse and synthesise a specific issue or theory from a professional area to arrive at a conclusion/decision with justification.
Communication and social skills	Prepare and deliver professional discipline advice, knowledge and ideas orally for a business or public context. Prepare and deliver professional and justified, discipline advice using written communications suitable for business and public contexts. Investigate and explain leadership research and practice in the management of people and self. Appraise self and team regarding participation and performance.
Cultural competence	Demonstrate and apply well-developed discipline knowledge and professional skills in a specialised management area within a global perspective. Apply and integrate research principles and methods to professional management situations.

Assessment methods

The course incorporates progressive assessment. Students are assessed on the basis of written and oral assignments; reflecting authentic work tasks and contemporary topics. These assignments come in a range of formats designed to assist student learning and skills development over the duration of the course. Formats include business reports, case studies, discussion board posts, presentations, quizzes, and research plans and studies.

Teaching methods

Our flexible course fits around you. It’s designed to meet the demands of busy, mobile people – people who travel frequently, work abroad, or juggle multiple work, life and family commitments. You can enter at one of six points throughout the year, and organise your study program to take advantage of the peaks and troughs in your own life.

We employ clever, intuitive and interactive learning software that enables you to collaborate with peers and lecturers. Our multi-modal approach delivers content as video, audio, hands-on, practical exercises, and other media to suit all kinds of learners. Discuss and debate ideas with your peers and lecturer in dedicated forums and with other networking technology.

Each unit has its own website to keep you focused. Every week, you’ll find activities, readings and case studies laid out with step-by-step instructions. As the weeks progress and your knowledge deepens, you’ll tackle increasingly sophisticated concepts, and employ critical analysis.

Make no mistake, this is a rigorous degree. Each unit is presented in a seven-week block, and demands up to 150 hours of study – which translates into around 20 hours a week. The benefits, though, will last a lifetime.

Career opportunities

Related courses

Type

Detail

Course code

1108100

Course abbreviation

GradDipBus

Credit points

Equivalent units

Duration

16 months part-time

Duration may vary depending on unit availabilities, previous study or work experience

Availability details

Location	Study Period
SCU Online	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Fees

Fee paying

Type

Detail

Course code

1108100

Course abbreviation

GradDipBus

Credit points

Equivalent units

Duration

16 months part-time

Availability details

Location	Study Period	Annual Fees	CRICOS
SCU Online	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6	$26,400 ($3,300 per unit)	N/A
Notice Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Admission Requirements

Qualification equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree. Refer to the Course Structure tab for specific admission requirements.

English language IELTS

Category	Score
Overall Score	6.0

Learning Resources

You’ll find our learning resources technologically sophisticated but intuitive and very easy to use. The four virtual spaces you’ll use most frequently are MySCU, Blackboard Learn, the course and unit websites, and the library.

MySCU is your portal to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. It will link off to your specific learning and information sites, where you can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to your work.

The web-based study environment Blackboard Learn is where you, your peers and your lecturers communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces, classrooms, and discussion boards. You can share files, presentations and applications. Unlike many online learning courses, there’s no long, grainy recordings of students coughing in lecture theatres; all recorded material is produced specifically for the course and addresses key learning points.

The course website houses all your learning materials – study resources, assessment information, quizzes, readings and other information. You may need to buy or access textbooks, but for the most part everything you need will be at your fingertips.

SCU library's wide range of services include face-to-face and online help, and access to print and electronic resources. As an online student, you have access to the same resources as an on campus student. You can even borrow library books – the library will express post them to you free of charge. For more about library resources, see the Library Toolbox.

Student support

As an online student, you receive individual support. We can help you with academic skills development, including the specific challenges attached to studying online. We provide one-on-one support via email or phone and can connect you with the learning resources you need.

You will also have a personal student services adviser. They are with you for the duration of your degree, and basically help with everything else – they can take you through the application process, help you organise your timetable, and find extra resources or assistance when you need them.

Both of these support services help you successfully complete your degree. We know many of our students are studying while working or raising a family or both, so our support is geared toward helping you enjoy the intellectual challenges of study while enabling you to have the time to enjoy the rest of your life as well.

Equipment and facilities

Because the course is 100% online, you’ll need the technology to ensure you have a seamless study experience. You’ll need:

a fast, reliable computer – either a PC or a Mac – with the latest operating system
a fast, reliable internet connection
the latest version of Internet Explorer, Chrome or Firefox
the Blackboard app, which is available as a free download. We can help you with that.

Occasionally, your lecturer may suggest specific software or textbooks for a specific unit. The library will usually have multiple copies of frequently used textbooks.

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

Admission requirements

Applications for admission to candidature in the Graduate Diploma in Business may be selected where they can demonstrate academic or professional standing considered by the School Board or Course Coordinator to be equivalent to the requirements of Rule 2, Section 3.

Course requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma in Business a candidate shall successfully complete all eight (8) units (96 credit points) from Part A and B.
To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Business a candidate shall successfully complete all units from Part A or at least two (2) of these units (24 credit points) and up to two (2) substitute units (24 credit points) as approved by the Course Coordinator.

Schedule of units

The specific units (subjects) students will study over the duration of this course, including any majors or specialisations, will be available early June. For any specific course enquiries please contact us.

This course is available to:

Australian/Domestic students

Where and when do you want to study?

SCU Online

Study Period 1January 2021

Study Period 2March 2021

Study Period 3April 2021

Study Period 4July 2021

Study Period 5August 2021

Study Period 6November 2021