Duration
Study one unit across a seven-week study period, allowing you to complete your Graduate Certificate in Business within 8 months. It's recommended that you spend approximately 20 hours per week on your postgraduate study. Our 100% online Graduate Certificate in Business program allows you to study when it suits you and you are not required to be online at a specific time.
Fees
$14,041 - $17,284 for all 4 units. FEE-HELP is a Commonwealth Government loan scheme that helps eligible full-fee paying students pay all or part of their tuition fees. FEE-HELP is available for this program.
Units
Study one unit each seven-week study period with our multi-award-winning Block Model. Assessments are delivered at the same time each study period, allowing for deep and focused learning.
Study intakes
There are six study periods each year, allowing you to begin your Graduate Certificate in Business at the start of any study period. You will study one unit at a time over the seven-week study period. If required, you are able to skip a study period.
July, Aug, Oct
Why study the Graduate Certificate in Business?
#1 for employability in Australia
For the second year running, employers have ranked graduates of Victoria University (VU) as having the most employable skills in Australia, according to the country’s most comprehensive survey of employer satisfaction.
Award-winning VU Block Model®
Our postgraduate online Block Model has won consecutive LearnX Live! Awards for ‘Best Online Learning Model’. Study part-time when it suits you, immediately adding value to your organisation.
Choose from 21 units, tailor the course to your goals and the future of industry
The Graduate Certificate in Business is a flexible course designed around you. With 21 units to choose from, customise what you study to suit your motivations and career goals. This bespoke course will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to address future industry demand and changes. Design a postgraduate qualification tailored to your career goals or utilise your work experience to gain credit.
Support 7 days a week and in the evenings
To help you succeed, you will receive personalised, prompt and proactive one-on-one support from our team throughout your studies. VU Online offers academic, non-academic and administrative assistance available seven days a week and in the evenings. Our support network has a single focus on ensuring you have the help you need to succeed.
Overview
Victoria University's (VU) 100% online Graduate Certificate in Business gives you the flexibility to own your study path by choosing four electives from a range of 21 units in different business areas. This course is designed to develop and strengthen your business acumen and employability, empowering you with the required knowledge to jump-start or advance your career, or provide a pathway to a higher degree.
Graduates will be continuously challenged to think critically and to develop useful insights about the concepts and principles of making better business decisions. Students will acquire advanced business skills they can apply to a range of government, private and non-profit organisations in Australia or overseas, in roles as diverse as:
- Accounting and finance
- Business analytics
- Economics
- Human resources
- Marketing
What you will study
The Graduate Certificate in Business consists of four elective units designed to foster your knowledge and skills across business, business administration, finance, financial planning, change management and leadership. Develop your knowledge and skills in business through the completion of coursework and assessments where you can use and apply career-based knowledge and skills in real-life or work-based settings.
Students will complete four units of their choice from the list below.
- Marketing Management
- Business Ethics and Sustainability
- Managing Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Strategic Management and Business Policy
- Business Analytics and Visualisation
- Financial Analysis
- Accounting and Financial Management
- Corporate Finance
- Advanced Finance
- Principles of Financial and Investment Planning
- Superannuation and Retirement Wealth Planning
- Taxation Law of Australia
- Agile Project and Change Management
- Organisation Change Management
- Technological Change and Innovation
- Managing Change and Complexity
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- Managing Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Organisation Change Management
- Performance Management and Rewards
- Art and Practice of Leadership
- Business Consulting
Entry requirements
When you apply to study with VU, we’ll take into consideration your prior study, work experience and current skills. If eligible, you can also apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), so you can make your next career move even sooner.
- Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline; OR
- Applicants with a minimum five (5) years approved work experience will be considered for admission to this course.
Fees & FEE-HELP
A Graduate Certificate in Business from VU Online costs $3,240 - $4,321 per unit*, taking the total for 4 units to $14,041 - $17,284*.
This depends on the number of units you study and whether you are eligible for Advanced Standing, which is assessed after you submit your application.
10% discount for alumni
If you’ve previously completed a qualification with us (and didn't apply through an agent), you may be eligible for a 10% discount.
Note that you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s loan scheme, FEE-HELP. The loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying students with the cost of a university program. It can be used for all or part of the tuition. To determine your eligibility, visit the FEE-HELP website.
*2027 student fees are shown and are subject to change.
For more information on fees and student support, download a brochure.
Want to learn more about this course?
What our students say
I am receiving a lot of support from my facilitators and my Student Success Advisor, who boosts my confidence and self-esteem.
What our students say
It was personally satisfying connecting and collaborating with a range of industry professionals. Many have become valuable work contacts, some even lifelong friends and career mentors.
What our students say
The flexibility, relevance and opportunity that VU Online brings to higher education are testaments to excellence in teaching and learning.
On-campus courses
Frequently asked questions
A graduate certificate in business can be a worthwhile option for professionals looking to build core business knowledge quickly, strengthen their career prospects, or prepare for more advanced postgraduate study. These programs are designed to develop practical skills in areas such as management, strategy, communication, and decision-making, which are relevant across a wide range of industries. Completing a graduate certificate of business can help you gain confidence in business fundamentals, demonstrate commitment to professional development, and support career progression without the time commitment of a full master’s degree.
The Graduate Certificate in Business at Victoria University Online is designed for working professionals who want to develop essential business capability in a flexible format. Delivered fully online, it allows students to apply what they learn directly to their workplace while building a strong foundation for future postgraduate study if they choose to continue.
A graduate certificate and an MBA differ primarily in scope, depth, and time commitment. A graduate certificate is a shorter postgraduate qualification that focuses on foundational or targeted business knowledge, typically completed in a matter of months. It’s well suited to professionals seeking to upskill, transition into business-focused roles, or test postgraduate study before committing to a longer program. An MBA, by contrast, is a comprehensive master’s degree that explores advanced leadership, strategy, and organisational management in greater depth and usually requires a longer period of study.
The Graduate Certificate in Business at VU Online offers a practical entry point into postgraduate business education. It can stand alone as a recognised qualification or act as a pathway into further study, including an MBA, depending on your career goals.
A graduate certificate in business is a postgraduate qualification that provides foundational knowledge across key business disciplines such as management, strategy, leadership, and organisational practice. It’s designed for professionals who may not have previously studied business or who want to formalise their experience with an academic credential. A graduate certificate business online format allows students to study flexibly while gaining skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace.
The Graduate Certificate in Business at Victoria University Online delivers this foundation through a fully online structure, enabling students to study one unit at a time while developing broad business capability. The course is suited to professionals from diverse backgrounds who want to strengthen their understanding of business and prepare for future leadership or postgraduate study opportunities.
Still have questions?
Our Student Enrolment Advisors are just a click away. They can answer any questions you have about this course or VU Online.
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