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Viewing Future Course Information
The information below will be relevant from 09/03/2026.Click Here to view current information
CL87 - Diploma of Business Studies
Overview
Course Overview
The Diploma of Business Studies innovative course is designed to equip you with foundational knowledge, practical skills, and future-ready capabilities to thrive in today’s fast-changing business environment. You will build essential competencies in areas such as accounting, business analytics, economics, management, marketing, and business law, while also having the opportunity to explore fields like human resource management, property, or financial planning. Our curriculum is designed to develop your critical thinking, problem-solving, digital literacy, and ethical awareness, skills that are highly valued by employers across industries.
With flexible online and part-time study options, this course supports you to balance your learning with work and life commitments. Whether you’re seeking entry into the workforce or a clear pathway to further study, the Diploma of Business offers both. Upon successful completion, you’ll be eligible for credit for up to eight units in CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Business, allowing you to transition directly into the second year of the degree. Through a focus on practical, real-world learning experiences and industry-relevant knowledge, this course sets a strong foundation for your success in business and beyond.
Career Information
There are no limitations to where a business degree can take you. Graduates choose from a broad spectrum of occupations including administration officer/manager, economics advisor, quality manager, accountant, human resources manager, marketing manager, logistics manager, purchasing and materials manager – just to name a few. A business career offers diverse employment opportunities and the ability to advance from an entry-level position to supervisor, manager, consultant or senior executive within business, government or non-profit organisations in the industry of your choice.
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 undergraduate 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 | Undergraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | DipBusSt |
| AQF Level | Level 5: Diploma |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
|
Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
|
|---|---|
|
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.
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
Semester 1 - 2023
Sorry, no domestic availabilities found.
Semester 1 - 2021
Sorry, no domestic availabilities found.
Term 3 - 2026
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2026
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2026
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 3 - 2025
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2025
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2025
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 3 - 2024
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2024
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2024
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 3 - 2023
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2023
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2023
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 3 - 2022
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2022
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2022
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 3 - 2021
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2021
Online
Term 1 - 2021
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Show All
International Availability
Semester 1 - 2023
Jakarta
Semester 1 - 2021
Jakarta
Term 3 - 2026
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2026
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2026
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 3 - 2025
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2025
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2025
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 3 - 2024
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2024
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2024
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 3 - 2023
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2023
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2023
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 3 - 2022
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2022
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 1 - 2022
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Term 3 - 2021
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Term 2 - 2021
Online
Term 1 - 2021
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
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?
Entry Scores
| Rank Threshold | SR 52 | ATAR 52 |
English Language Proficiency Requirements
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English language proficiency requirements set by the University.
You are required to provide documentation confirming completion of:
- a secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
- a completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV or Diploma level qualification, or
- a Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0.
These qualifications must be completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
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 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
- a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT overall score of at least 75 with no score less than 17 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
- a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) overall score of at least 54 with no less than 46 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
- an Occupational English Test with a minimum result of 'B' in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
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 application will be assessed individually.
If you are a prospective international student, please visit the English requirements for international students page for further information.
Prerequisite Subjects
No information available at this time
Recommended Study
No information available at this time
Security Requirements
No information available at this time
Health Requirements
No information available at this time
Fees and Charges
Course Features
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | CM57 - Undergraduate Certificate in Business Studies |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | CM57 - Undergraduate Certificate in Business Studies |
| Accreditation |
|
Residential School Requirements
No Residential School for this course.
Practicum/Work Placement
| Not applicable |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 30 |
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2021 | 15 |
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.
Examples are:
- Complying with academic and non-academic policies and procedures such as Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy, Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures, Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
- Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and professional practice.
Examples are:
- Being able to be reflective with personal behaviours appropriate for professional performance and be positive and receptive to processing constructive feedback or criticism from peers, supervisors, and/or lecturers.
- Successfully processing and coping with your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with individuals in educational and professional environments.
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 or find employment.
- Complying with the requirements for student registration with organisations such as the Australian Human Resources Institute and the like.
Examples are:
- Verbally communicating in the English language with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness.
- Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
- Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual, group or workplace.
- Establishing rapport with others in the study and practice of business and respond appropriately to peers, teaching staff, clients, supervisors and other professionals.
- Observing and understanding non-verbal cues to assist with building rapport with people and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships.
- Consistently displaying appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, body movements and gestures while being mindful of personal space boundaries.
- Being aware of culturally-based differences in non-verbal communications, to ensure effective, culturally appropriate interpersonal communications.
- Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar and punctuation to the required academic standards.
- Expressing complex and detailed information and knowledge in logical and legible essays and reports that clearly communicate the intended message, and do so in a timely manner, meeting appropriate professional standards.
- Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form that meets legal and professional practice requirements.
Examples are:
- Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
- Applying theoretical knowledge, research evidence, policies and procedures in academic and professional practice.
- Constructing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of speech, including being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions.
- Competently reading, writing and accurately interpreting information to convey language effectively in educational and professional settings.
- Producing accurate, concise and clear business documentation with meets legal requirements.
- Demonstrating effective use of numeracy skills to perform a range of business functions.
- Applying numeracy skills to interpret and solve a range of mathematical and data-related problems associated with a range of business practices.
- Producing accurate, concise and clear business documentation which meets legal requirements.
Examples are:
- Development of active listening skills to facilitate effective communication, avoid miscommunication and arrive at accurate conclusions.
- Patience and avoiding or diffusing interpersonal conflict.
- Trustworthiness and confidentiality.
- Approachability and warmth to facilitate communication and encourage innovation and mutual cooperation.
Examples are:
- Demonstrating an understanding of how theory as well as personal, social and cultural experiences relate to practice or personal or professional knowledge.
- Discovering and challenging own underlying assumptions.
- Making connections between personal and work experiences and what is being learnt.
Examples are:
- Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.
- Competently using productivity software such as Microsoft Office.
- Competently using the internet for a range of study and business related activities.
- Operating associated electronic technologies such as (but not limited to) digital scanners, copiers, cameras and video cameras, a tablet computer or a mobile phone in the professional business environment.
Core Learning Outcomes
- 1. Apply effective communication skills to clearly and appropriately express ideas and perspectives to a range of audiences and to support further learning opportunities
- 2. Apply key business practice theories and concepts to practical business problems
- 3. Select and use a range of computer-generated and digital technologies to generate, manage and disseminate information
- 4. Identify, analyse and act on business-related information from a range of sources
- 5. Participate, contribute to and engage in teams to produce collaborative outcomes and demonstrate the ability to take on individual roles and exercise professional and analytic judgement in relation to business operations
- 6. Synthesise information from a variety of sources to plan career paths, identify professional development needs, and develop responsibility and autonomy.
| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have technical and theoretical knowledge and concepts, with depth in some areas within a field of work and learning | ||||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive and communication skills to identify, analyse, synthesise and act on information from a range of sources | ||||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and communication skills to analyse, plan, design and evaluate approaches to unpredictable problems and/or management requirements | ||||||
| 4. SKILLS Have specialist technical and creative skills to express ideas and perspectives | ||||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer knowledge and specialised skills to others and demonstrate understanding of knowledge | ||||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate application with depth in some areas of specialisation, in known or changing contexts | ||||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical and/or creative skills in a range of situations | ||||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations with responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad parameters for quantity and quality | ||||||
| 9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement to organise the work of self and others and plan, coordinate and evaluate the work of teams within broad but generally well- defined parameters | ||||||
| 10. FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE sufficient to undertake qualifications | ||||||
| 11. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of knowledge in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units | ||||||
| 12. FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS sufficient to undertake qualifications | ||||||
| 13. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of skills in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units | ||||||
| 14. Course content drawn from higher education units | ||||||
| KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||
Course Structure
In order to complete this course, you must:
- Complete the core structure
- Complete electives
Core Structure
| Number of units: 8 | Total credit points: 48 |
|---|
As part of your Diploma of Business Studies at CQU, you'll complete seven core units and one additional unit. You should select the additional unit based on the discipline area most likely to be studied if you continue onto the Bachelor of Business
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| FINC11002 | Financial Literacy for Business | |
| MGMT11169 | Business Analytics | |
| HRMT11011 | Human Resource Management | |
| LAWS11030 | Foundations of Business Law | |
| MGMT11109 | Introduction to Business | |
| MRKT11029 | Marketing Fundamentals | |
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete 1 from the following units: | ||
| BUSN11016 | Introduction to Study and Professional Practice | |
| BUSN11030 | Academic and Digital Literacy in Higher Education | |
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete 1 from the following units: | ||
| ACCT11081 | Introductory Financial Accounting | |
| BLAR11050 | Residential Construction | |
| FINC11001 | Fundamentals of Personal Financial Planning | |
| HRMT11010 | Organisational Behaviour | |
| HOSP11001 | Hospitality Management Fundamentals | |
| MRKT11028 | Digital Marketing and AI | |
| COIT11238 | Networked Infrastructure Foundations | |
More Details
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.