Why Graduate Certificate in Business Administration?
Discover your leadership potential.
Thrive in today’s fast-paced business environment with Adelaide University’s 100% online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. Get set for success with expertise in leadership, marketing, entrepreneurship and finance.
Explore your own leadership story, philosophy, and areas for improvement. Develop an entrepreneurial mindset by studying the core concepts and theory of the ideation process. Build valuable networks with fellow students who also have professional experience across multiple industries.
You’ll graduate with a firm foundation, ready to lead in any sector.
Overview
The challenges faced by business leaders today require agility and a willingness to change.
In this 100% online graduate certificate, you’ll immerse yourself in the business world of leadership, finance, marketing, and the entrepreneurial mindset.
Examine current leadership models to deepen your self-awareness, adapt and hone your leadership style. Improve your financial management skills and learn to assess the financial performance of an organisation. Study how marketing principles apply to management.
Consider how emerging business trends generate creative business ideas and spearhead a new venture. Evaluate markets, measure brand equity, plan a marketing mix. Cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset.
Experience hands-on learning, including webinars, online tutorials, real-world case studies, group discussions, collaborative tasks, personal reflections, and guided business research.
You’ll graduate with a toolbox of industry-focused skills ready for your next challenge. Fancy doing an MBA? Continue your studies with a four-course accreditation from this program.
Key features
Develop your leadership story and deepen your self-awareness. - Sharpen your ability to inspire and motivate staff.
- Learn to recognise and evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Study marketing terms and principles to understand your audience.
- Become financially literate – study balance sheets, cash flow reports and earnings statements.
- Benefit from hands-on learning with webinars, online tutorials, case studies, group discussions, and collaborative tasks.
What you'll learn
Our Graduate Certificate in Business Administration has been designed to help you build a firm foundation for your future in key business areas, including leadership, finance, marketing and entrepreneurial mindsets.
Core courses provide a grounding in these key areas. You’ll examine leadership styles – including person centric, transactional and complex – to identify your own leadership story. In others, you’ll learn about financial literacy through hands-on knowledge of balance sheets, cash flow reports, measuring changes in equity and earnings statements.
The marketing-focused course will help you discover how to connect with customers authentically, guided by best-in-class marketing principles and theory. A course centred on the entrepreneurial mindset will demonstrate key considerations for generating creative business ideas and spearheading new ventures.
You’ll complete four courses in total:
- Leadership and influencing
- Accounting and financial management
- Marketing for managers
- Entrepreneurial mindset.
Learning assessments and coursework are 100% online. Types of assessments in the online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration will include quizzes, e-portfolios, short essays, short videos, reports, reflective tasks.
Interested in an MBA? Adelaide University’s 100% online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is a pathway to our Master of Business Administration (MBA).
What courses you'll study
Complete 24 units comprising:
- 24 units for all Core courses
Complete 24 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Leadership and Influencing
|
Course code
BUSI5091
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Marketing for Managers
|
Course code
BUSI5092
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Entrepreneurial Mindset
|
Course code
BUSI5093
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Accounting and Financial Management
|
Course code
BUSI5094
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Leadership and Influencing
|
Course code
BUSI5091
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Marketing for Managers
|
Course code
BUSI5092
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Entrepreneurial Mindset
|
Course code
BUSI5093
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Accounting and Financial Management
|
Course code
BUSI5094
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
The future of leadership roles – including chief executives, managing directors, and management consultants – is promising in Australia.
You might lead and coordinate complex business projects or take on management roles in public sector agencies. Perhaps you’ll manage day-to-day business operations, ensuring maximum operational efficiency.
You could work in a career such as:
- Business manager
- General manager
- Business consultant
- Entrepreneur/business owner.
With further study, career opportunities may include:
- Chief and executive leadership
- Senior management roles across business, not-for-profits, and government
- Board directorship.
Industry trends
The demand for professionals with advanced management skills remains high across industries like healthcare, professional services, public administration, and finance. Such roles require expertise in strategy, decision-making, and operational efficiency (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024).
Employment trends suggest around 25% of chief executives and managing directors hold postgraduate qualifications, underscoring the value of advanced business qualifications in securing these positions (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024).
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Your study experience and support
Studying 100% online with Adelaide University means joining a dynamic community of learners – all supported by dedicated teams committed to your success. From day one to graduation, you’ll have access to comprehensive academic, student and technical support teams to ensure you get the most out of your online learning journey.
Student support services
Need help with enrolments, managing your study load, or setting your academic goals? Our student support team is here to assist. They’re your first point of contact for advice and are available seven days a week, including out-of-hours and on weekends. Get the help you need – when it suits you.
As an online student, you’ll also have access to our specialised on-campus student support services. Whether you’re looking for career advice, health and wellbeing support, international student assistance, accessibility services, or something else, we’ve got you covered. Visit the Support webpage to explore the services available.
Online academic support
From understanding course content to tackling assignments, writing, and referencing, our expert academics are here to guide you. Available seven days a week, they’ll provide personalised support to help you progress through your studies.
Tech support
We’ve got your back when it comes to technology. Our IT support team is available 24/7 to resolve any tech challenges you might face. With fast response times and tailored solutions, we’ll ensure nothing stands in your way. You’ll also enjoy free access to software downloads required for your program.
Study hours
Adelaide University’s 100% online programs offer the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. You can engage with course materials at any time that works for you – there’s no need to log in at set times. To stay on track, we recommend setting aside 10 to 15 hours per week for each course, but you can adapt your schedule and your study load to suit your needs.
Assessment
All assessments, including exams (if required) are conducted 100% online – so you’ll never need to travel to submit an assignment or sit an exam. Depending on your program, your assessments might include:
- An industry-relevant project or case study
- An online presentation
- Essays and reports.
