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CC52 - Graduate Diploma of Business Administration

Overview

Course Overview

This course provides you with opportunities to study a broad range of topics relating to aspects of management and business administration. You will develop key competencies crucial for successful business leadership and the management of people and apply these in an emotionally intelligent way. You will also develop knowledge and capabilities related to key business functions of strategy, economics, marketing, organisational and industry structure, operations and business analytics and the legal issues that affect managers, leaders and organisations. The Graduate Diploma of Business Administration allows articulation into the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Career Information

The CQUniversity Graduate Diploma of Business Administration provides students with opportunities to study contemporary management practices. Graduates from this course target employment in the areas of business consultation, or middle to high level business management.

Course Details
Duration 1 years full-time or 2 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 48
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Postgraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) GradDipBusAdmin
AQF Level Level 8: Graduate Diploma
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $31,980
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $18,360
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $36,480
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $30,600
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,520
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $34,800
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $24,819
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $16,680
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $33,120
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $24,090
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $16,050
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $32,940

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 2 - 2026

Online

Term 1 - 2026

Online

Term 2 - 2025

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2025

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2024

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2024

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2023

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2023

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2022

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2022

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2021

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2021

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2020

Melbourne
Online

Term 1 - 2020

Melbourne
Online

Term 2 - 2019

Melbourne
Online

Term 1 - 2019

Melbourne
Online

Term 3 - 2018

Distance
Melbourne

Term 2 - 2018

Distance
Melbourne

Term 1 - 2018

Distance
Melbourne

Term 3 - 2017

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 2 - 2017

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 1 - 2017

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 3 - 2016

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 2 - 2016

Brisbane
Cairns
Distance
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney

Term 1 - 2016

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney

Term 3 - 2015

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 2 - 2015

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney

Term 1 - 2015

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Mackay
Sydney
Show All

International Availability

Term 2 - 2026

Online

Term 1 - 2026

Online

Term 2 - 2025

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2025

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2024

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2024

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2023

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2023

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2022

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2022

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2021

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2021

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2020

Melbourne
Online

Term 1 - 2020

Melbourne
Online

Term 2 - 2019

Melbourne
Online

Term 1 - 2019

Melbourne
Online

Term 3 - 2018

Distance
Melbourne

Term 2 - 2018

Distance
Melbourne

Term 1 - 2018

Distance
Melbourne

Term 3 - 2017

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 2 - 2017

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 1 - 2017

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 3 - 2016

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 2 - 2016

Brisbane
Cairns
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 1 - 2016

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 3 - 2015

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 2 - 2015

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Term 1 - 2015

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Academic Requirements

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must hold one of the following: 

  • A completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent Bachelor degree, or higher equivalent qualification; with three years full time relevant* business experience; or  
  • A completed AQF Diploma with three years full time relevant* business experience; or 
  • Five years relevant* business experience. 

*Relevant business experience includes a working knowledge of how a business operates, for example, budgeting, staffing, project management, financial reporting, process management, or human resources. 

Professional experience must be shown in a letter of employment which is presented on a company letterhead as well as signed and dated by a delegated authority. The letter must contain your full name, position title, duties performed and length of service. 

English Language Proficiency Requirements 

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University. 

Applicants are required to provide documentation confirming completion of: 

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or 
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV qualification, or 
  • An AQF Diploma level qualification, or 
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0 completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you are an international student, additional requirements may apply, please visit international student information for more details. 

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores: 

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in each subset; or 
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT – Requires 79 or better overall and no score less than 21; or 
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 62 with no sub-score less than 54; or 
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components. 

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate. 

Each student will be assessed individually. 

Assumed Knowledge

Nil

Security Requirements

Nil

Health Requirements

Nil

Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards CC51 - Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
Exit Awards CC51 - Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
Accreditation
  • Not applicable

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

Not applicable

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 2
2023 4
2022 7
2021 6
2020 6
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Being able to comply with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure, Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and professional practice.
Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Engaging with colleagues and academic and professional staff in a manner that demonstrates respect and integrity.
Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Knowing, understanding and complying with the laws of the Sovereign State in which you reside, work and/or study.
  • Complying with the policies and practices of businesses or organisations in which you may be placed.
  • Complying with the requirements for student registration with organisations such as the Australian Institute of Management, the Institute of Managers and Leaders, the Australian Marketing Institute, the Australian Human Resources Institute and the like.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Performing a wide range of advanced written communication skills that address critical business problems and solutions. These include (but are not limited to) constructing logical and succinct academic essays, business reports or minor academic thesis that demonstrate substantive research while using correct CQU referencing.
  • Performing a wide range of advanced verbal, non-verbal and ICT communication skills that address critical business problems and solutions. These include (but are not limited to) being able to deliver an enhanced message (in English) for maximum effectiveness, while utilising a variety of technologies or media; the ability to deliver succinct yet effective communication; the ability to deliver effective communication that results in impact and/or influence; the ability to design and deliver effective verbal presentations, in clear English, that utilises a variety of technologies or visual media that combines with appropriate business management concepts and language.
  • Utilising a variety of technologies and/or visual media as well as speak in front of an audience with an appropriate middle or senior management/leadership voice, manner, style and presence that addresses the required outcomes as well as the needs of the audience.
  • Being highly proficient in the use of computers and various programs and tools as a means of being an advanced business and management communicator.
  • Performing advanced communication skills under pressure.
  • Developing the skills of reflective practice to increase self-awareness with personal delivery of advanced communication skills, including being able to determine personal developmental needs with advanced communication deficiencies.
  • Using appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, body movements and gestures, being mindful of personal space, time boundaries, and cultural sensitivities.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and respond appropriately as well as in practice environments.
  • Utilising proxemics and haptics - physical locations and objects in a manner that enhances openness and trust.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and applying to academic assessment items the knowledge, skills, processes, tools and techniques of the course to real world examples and contexts of management or discipline specific issues.
  • Applying theoretical knowledge, research evidence, policies and procedures in management and/or cognate discipline practice.
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

Students must be able to utilise a range of communication strategies including effective use of audio visuals to convey meaning, messages, recommendations, etc., to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.

Relational Skills

Examples are:

  • Working productively with colleagues in the classroom, in online environments and assuming joint responsibility for required tasks.
  • As practicing and aspiring managers, students must interact and demonstrate tact when dealing with employees, particularly in performance management contexts, and also represent the organisation to a range of stakeholders.

Reflective Skills

Examples are:

  • Reflecting on your own levels of competence and seeking feedback from colleagues and using diagnostic tools to increase your level of self awareness.
Sustainable Performance

Students need to adopt a sustained approach to research and study to meet deadlines and standards that reflect the type of activities they undertake in organisations.

Interpersonal Engagement

Examples are:

  • Relating positively and effectively to a wide variety of business and community stakeholders.
  • Understanding, acquiring and demonstrating the components of emotional intelligence to effective working relationships and outcomes.
  • Combining appropriate business deliberations with the inclusion of the relevant interpersonal factors of the people connected in those processes.
  • Being consultative and collaborative in creating and maintaining effective working relationships and outcomes.
  • Engaging in personal reflection as a way of increasing self-awareness regarding how individuals interact and affect others.
  • Creating cultural competence, sensitivity and willingness to work with a vast array of people both in Australia and abroad.
  • Recognising others as sentient human beings with rights that must not be violated.
  • Recognising others in the workplaces as ends in themselves and never exclusively as means to an end.
  • Demonstrating the skills of collaborating with fellow students and colleagues, modifying and reflecting on practice during a project, or modifying and reflecting on work integrated learning in response to supervisor feedback.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

Examples are:

  • Utilising basic computer skills and abilities that include Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Excel.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Review, analyse and consolidate and communicate advanced knowledge of business theory and provide creative solutions to complex business problems
  • 2. Apply specialised technical and creative skills to the management of business functions
  • 3. Communicate theoretical concepts and complex business management knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences
  • 4. Participate responsibly in teams, leading and contributing in an emotionally intelligent manner, reflecting on team processes and the ability to achieve outcomes
  • 5. Research and adopt best practice professional and ethical standards demonstrating personal responsibility, accountability and professional judgement in business contexts.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5
1. KNOWLEDGE Have advanced knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas
4. SKILLS Have specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concept
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 8 Total credit points: 48

Students in this Graduate Diploma who want to move on to the MBA (CL20) should consult Course Management before enrolling into units for their second term. 

  • Students who wish to proceed to the MBA and specialise with a project management major, must select PPMP20007 and PPMP20009 as their two electives in this Graduate Diploma.
  • Students who wish to proceed to the MBA and specialise with a general management or emergency management major, must contact Course Management to ensure the correct electives are selected in this Graduate Diploma.
  • Students who wish to proceed to the MBA and specialise with a forensic analysis major, must select ACCT20072 and STAT20029 as their two electives in this Graduate Diploma.

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
MGMT20129 Managing People, Organisations and Context
MRKT20052 Marketing Management and Digital Communications
ACCT20077 Accounting for Management Decision Making
MGMT20135 Critical Thinking and Managerial Decision-Making
ECON20039 Economics for Managers
MGMT20130 Operations Management and Business Analytics

Students may also apply directly to the Head of Course to undertake electives not listed, providing they are at AQF level 9 and pre- and co-requisites are met.

Available units
Students must complete 2 from the following units:
MGMT20132 Innovation and Sustainable Business Development
MGMT20134 Business Ethics and Sustainability
MGMT20143 Think Big
MGMT20147 Professional Practice and Career Development
HRMT20028 Organisational Change Management
HRMT20029 International Employment Relations
LAWS20063 Governance and Business Law
FINC20018 Managerial Finance
FINC20023 International Financial Management
PPMP20007 Project Management Concepts
PPMP20009 Leading Lean Projects
MGMT20131 Leadership and Integrity
MGMT29013 Professional Practice and Career Development
DSMG28001 Foundations of Emergency and Disaster Management
DSMG29001 Disaster Risk Reduction
DSMG29002 Leadership in Emergency and Disaster Management
DSMG29003 Building Adaptive Capacity with Communities
STAT20029 Statistics for Managerial Decisions
ACCT20072 Accounting Systems and Information Assurance
More Details

Pathway to a Tier 1 MBA (CEO Magazine Global MBA Ranking) 

The Graduate Diploma in Business Administration is a pathway to the CL20 MBA of the CQU School of Business and Law. The MBA has a long history of being ranked amongst the top MBAs globally, according to the prestigious CEO Magazine Global MBA Ranking. The 2024 ranking places our MBA in Tier 1 globally, and it is ranked as number 40 of online MBAs, and number 7 of Australian MBAs.

 

To find out more about think ranking, please visit the CEO Magazine ranking website.

 

United Nations PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) Signatory

As a Signatory Member of the UN-supported initiative Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), the CQUniversity School of Business and Law is committed to aligning its strategies and operations with universally accepted principles of responsible management education. The School of Business and Law has been a signatory of PRME since 2017 and many of the units in the CC52 Graduate Diploma in Business Administration have embedded the Principles, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

To learn more about the School's commitment to PRME and the SDGs, please visit the PRME website where you can find our signatory progress reports: https://www.unprme.org/school-of-business-and-law-central-queensland-university

 

 

Work Experience Definitions

 

Managerial or professional work experience must have included direct, personal involvement in decision-making responsibility in a range of areas such as budgeting, staffing, project management, financial management process management, or other relevant professional experience.

 

Computing Requirements

As a student, it is necessary to have access to a computer or equivalent device in order to complete your coursework. You should have a good understanding of technology and the ability to navigate the online environment, which may involve completing online assessments, participating in online forums, and responding to emails. There may be instances where you need to use a computer or equivalent device for in-class tasks or assessments. It is important that you have dependable access to the internet and a computer or equivalent device capable of video conferencing for online classes. Make sure to review your unit profiles to learn about any specific technology requirements for your coursework.