Course Overview
The Undergraduate Certificate in Business Studies offers you the opportunity to experience University-level studies in fields such as business management. You will learn key approaches to business and develop foundational skills that prepare you to become valued business professionals. Undergraduate Certificate in Business Studies teaches you how to build foundation business and management skills and prepares you for the future world of work. The undergraduate certificate also offers an opportunity to acquire new skills or add to existing qualifications. An Undergraduate Certificate in Business Studies is a pathway to further study of higher awards, such as a Diploma in Business Studies or Bachelor degree in Business.
Career Information
The Undergraduate Certificate in Business Studies offers students the opportunity to experience University-level studies in fields such as business management. Students learn key approaches to business and develop foundational skills that prepare them to become valued business professionals. Students of the Undergraduate Certificate in Business Studies learn how to build foundation business and management skills and prepare them for the future world of work. The undergraduate certificate also offers an opportunity to acquire new skills or add to existing qualifications. 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, and purchasing and materials manager – 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 the business, government or non-profit organisations in the industry of your choice.
| Duration | 0.5 years full-time or 1 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 24 |
| 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) | UGCertBus |
| AQF Level | Level 5: Diploma |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2026
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
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Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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|---|---|
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
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.
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Domestic Availability
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Term 3 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 3 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 3 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 3 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 3 - 2023
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Term 2 - 2023Students must successfully complete the course by the end of Term 1 2025.
International Availability
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Term 3 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 3 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 3 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 3 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 3 - 2023
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Term 2 - 2023Students must successfully complete the course by the end of Term 1 2025.
| Rank Threshold | SR 50 | ATAR 50 |
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 evidence of completion of:
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A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
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An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
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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 do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
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An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
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Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
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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.
If you are an International student please visit International students English requirements for further information.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Recommended study - English (4, SA), Mathematical Methods
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | Not applicable |
| Accreditation |
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Residential School Requirements
No Residential School for this course.
Practicum/Work Placement
| Not applicable |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 |
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 misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity's Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
- Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and professional practice.
Examples are:
- Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate for professional performance and being 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 Institute of Management, the Australian Marketing Institute, 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 responding 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 doing 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 which 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 and ethically using prescribed Artificial Intelligence systems.
- 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.
- 1. Apply effective written and verbal 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. 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
- 4. Identify, analyse and act on business-related information from a range of sources
| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 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 | ||||
- Complete the core structure
| Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
|---|
Not applicable
The core Undergraduate Certificate in Business Studies units consists of four core units in the Bachelor of Business.
| Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| ACCT11059 | Accounting, Learning and Online Communication | |
| ECON11026 | Principles of Economics | |
| MRKT11029 | Marketing Fundamentals | |
| MGMT11109 | Introduction to Business | |
As outlined in the Australian Qualifications Framework, The Undergraduate Certificate is a higher education qualification, formally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Undergraduate certificates are accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
Students have until 30 June 2025 to successfully complete their Undergraduate Certificate in Business Studies/Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting.