Graduate Diploma in Business Administration

With a focus on experienced-based learning and current business issues, this graduate diploma will help you take the next step in your career.

Our Graduate Diploma in Business Administration is structured to fit with your lifestyle and work commitments, it can be studied part-time and online.

You will hone your managerial skills and specialised knowledge through studying areas such as strategic management, managerial finance, international business, ethics, marketing, or leadership and change management.

You will develop advanced skills in thinking strategically and critically and understand ethical considerations within a local and international context.

This postgraduate degree is offered as part of a suite of three qualifications (graduate certificate, graduate diploma and Master of Business Administration).

Each qualification extends to the next, so you can easily transition to the next level qualification.

If you decide to exit this qualification having completed the first four courses you will receive the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.

If you wish to do further study, consider going on to the Master of Business Administration.

Entry requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the program will normally have:

a) A minimum of three (3) years full time management experience and a recognised university undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualifications;

or

b) A Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from the University of South Australia with an average of at least a Pass Level1 (55%), or an equivalent qualification from the University of South Australia or from another recognised university.

or

c) A minimum of seven (7) years full time management experience.

All applicants are also required to submit a detailed curriculum vitae or equivalent with at least one referee who can validate work experience.

An initial course in strategic thinking lays the groundwork for the rest of your studies. You will then choose seven courses from a diverse range of subject areas and electives in advanced business administration. These could include:

• The Law for Managers
• Ethics Governance and Sustainability
• International Business
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation (elective)
• International Study Tour (elective)

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

Have you ever wanted to have career guidance from an experienced business mentor? As part of your studies, you can apply for our Executive Partners Program.

This is a unique opportunity for you to engage with a highly successful industry executive to enhance your studies and career. Our Executive Partners are active, semi-retired or recently retired professionals who have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you achieve your career goals.

Please apply via the UniSA MBA Application Portal. As part of the application process, MBA candidates are required to submit:

• an academic transcript
• a current curriculum vitae which addresses the entry requirements and includes qualifications, and provides evidence of management experience

If applicable, scholarship applications must also be submitted in conjunction with the completed MBA application.

Global Opportunities

Our strong connections with prestigious universities in Europe, Asia, and the Americas open up doors to new possibilities and experiences, giving you the opportunity to undertake international exchanges and study tours. There are over 25 countries and 60+ universities to choose from.

Travelling and studying with leading academic staff and your peers is a wonderful opportunity to develop first-hand knowledge of the international business environment. You’ll find the experience invaluable for your personal and professional development, giving you a global perspective.

There are a range of postgraduate Student Mobility Options such as intensive study-tours and exchanges. You can take advantage of Student Mobility Grants to undertake an overseas exchange, making experiences abroad more accessible.

Study tours

The Business in China Intensive School is a two-week study tour and project, offered in partnership with Peking University – a leading international business school.

The Mexico and Chile Intensive is a two-week study tour with a one-week seminar on doing business in Mexico at Pan-American University (IPADE Business School) and a one-week study tour in Chile. Students gain unique insight into emerging markets, the role that they play in the current globalised world and their impact on the global economy.

The European Summer School of Advanced Management is a two-week study tour that gives 100 of the world’s outstanding MBA students an intensive international business experience. It has previously been hosted in London, Glasgow and Copenhagen.

Our student support services can make your life at university easier. We provide a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling. You can also access a range of services through our students association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.