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Postgraduate

Graduate Diploma of Business Administration

Domestic students International students
Graduate Diploma of Business Administration (GDBA)
Entry requirements
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Study mode
  • Online
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 4 teaching periods (8 months), or part-time equivalent
Start
  • Jan, May, Sep
Intakes
Note: See Apply section for detailed start dates for each teaching period.

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Overview

  • Use the Graduate Diploma of Business Administration as a stepping-stone in developing your strategic leadership and management skills and start your study towards an MBA.
  • Become more than an operational manager and apply strategic knowledge to a range of real-life contexts through problem-based assessment scenarios.
  • Gain a competitive advantage by leveraging your leadership skills to create and execute organisational strategy. 
  • Learn how to communicate effectively and positively influence internal and external stakeholders. 
  • Expand your strategic thinking capabilities and become ready to transition into executive roles within your industry. 
  • Delivered online in accelerated 8-week teaching blocks, you can fit your study into your life, at your own pace. Choose to study two subjects at a time and finish this degree within eight months, or study part-time and finish within 16 months. 

Further study

Once you successfully complete this degree, and if you meet the entry requirements, you will be offered the option to articulate to the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Career outcomes

  • Convert your thinking from operational to strategic and progress into executive roles in regional, national or international organisations.
  • Be ready to move up to management or director roles within your organisation.

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

  • Completion of an Australian university 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent, with a GPA of at least 4.0 out of 7.0, and a minimum of 3 years' relevant professional work experience at management or supervisory level.

English language requirements

You are required to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study with our English language partner, the Union Institute of Language (UIL).

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 8 units. Most courses (similar to ‘subjects’) are valued at 1 unit. To study full-time you would usually complete 2 units per teaching period.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 2
Approved MBA courses 6
Total 8

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for an example of courses to be studied.  

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 31760

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP. 

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ

Intakes

Select to start your degree in one of the following intakes:

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Block 1, 2025 Monday 13 January Monday 13 January Monday 20 January Friday 7 March
Block 3, 2025 Monday 5 May Monday 5 May Monday 12 May Friday 27 June
Block 5, 2025 Monday 25 August Monday 25 August Monday 1 September Friday 17 October

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2025

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What is the difference between a Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate?

A difference between a graduate certificate and graduate diploma is the time it takes to complete each qualification. Compared to the four-five months it takes to complete a graduate certificate, it takes up to 12 months of full-time study to complete the eight units required in a postgraduate business administration diploma. In both the certificate and diploma, you can opt to study part-time which does increase the time it will take to complete the degree.

A postgraduate Diploma of Business Administration usually incorporates the same course options as a graduate certificate in the same discipline area but builds on your knowledge from the certificate and advances your skills further. It also has similar coursework subjects as a master's degree in the same study field, but with the flexibility of not having to commit to a full master's degree. 

What are the career opportunities for graduates with a Graduate Diploma of Business Administration?

We provide industry relevant courses to give you the best possible start to your career. Our Business and Management courses will help facilitate the essential building blocks of core business administration principles and theories in a diverse, supportive and flexible learning environment. A postgraduate business administration diploma can lead to many rewarding career opportunities in various specialisations and industries, including:

  • human resources
  • marketing
  • administration
  • eCommerce
  • small business management
  • finance
  • warehousing and production
  • manufacturing
  • banking
  • politics and international relations
  • communications and media. 
What are the entry requirements?

The entry requirements to study a postgraduate business administration diploma (or equivalent) will vary depending on the education provider you choose.

At UniSQ to study a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, there are several entry requirements you must meet.

  • Hold an Australian university three year Bachelor or equivalent with a GPA of at least 4.0 out of 7.0
  • A minimum of three years' professional work experience at a management or supervisory level.

For further information on the entry requirements, please view the degree entry requirements section of this page. 

Are flexible study options available?

The different ways you can study a postgraduate Diploma of Business Administration (or equivalent) will vary across different universities but at UniSQ, you can study a Graduate Diploma of Business Administration full-time, part-time or online, allowing you to balance study with your work and life commitments.

Discover the different ways you can study at UniSQ. 

Why study a postgraduate Diploma of Business Administration at UniSQ?

Gain a strong start to you career in Business Administration with a postgraduate Diploma of Business Administration:

  • UniSQ is rated 5/5 starts for postgraduate Business and Management* for:
    • overall experience
    • student support
    • graduate starting salary. 
  • Connect and engage with industry leaders and learn contemporary business management and practice. 
  • Benefit from our lecture's expert knowledge, preparing you to become an innovative, strategic and adaptable professional in the business world.

*Good Universities Guide, 2024.