The Graduate Certificate in Management is a postgraduate qualification that provides knowledge and skills to take on coordination and leadership roles. Students learn business administration and team organisation skills that are useful for directing teams, business operations, or projects.
The course is open to professionals from different educational backgrounds. It is an opportunity to gain a widely recognised qualification in the field of management.
Different program types are available, including specialisations in Business Administration, Health Management, Human Resources, and Project Management. What unites all the variants is that they prepare students for managerial roles.
Related: What Is a Graduate Certificate in Australia?
Pathway to further study
The grad cert also serves as a stepping stone to further postgraduate study. Generally, students need to complete four subjects in total, and these credits can be used towards a graduate diploma or master's degree. The entry requirements are usually relaxed, with applicants able to gain admission based on having a bachelor's degree or significant work experience.
Related: Management Courses Online
Equal to a degree or better
If you are wondering how a graduate certificate rates in Australia, it is equivalent to an honours degree and graduate diploma. It sits at Level 8 in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). That places it above a 3-year bachelor degree, which is at Level 7, and just below a master's degree (Level 9). Although much shorter than a degree, a grad cert is highly regarded in terms of academic level.
Related: Is a Graduate Certificate Equivalent to a Degree?
Top 5 Graduate Certificates for Managers
Which online Graduate Certificate in Management is the best in Australia? Here are five of the best courses worth considering. Each grad cert can be completed in 8 months of part-time study. Graduates may continue studying for an MBA or Master of Management.
UNSW Online - Graduate Certificate in Business
The Graduate Certificate in Business at UNSW Online is ideal for professionals seeking a flexible qualification while working. This 100% online course is part of a Master of Management program and is delivered through the prestigious Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM). Choose four subjects from a broad selection, covering topics such as managing yourself and others, financial management, marketing, business economics, digital technology, and innovation.
UTS Online - Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration at UTS Online is an eight-month, part-time course for professionals to enhance their business skills. It covers decision-making, leadership, economics, and marketing from a manager's perspective. This exam-free course leads into the highly flexible UTS Online MBA, which offers specialisations in analytics, digital marketing, health, organisational learning, and technology management.
SCU Online - Graduate Certificate in Business
The Graduate Certificate in Business at SCU Online is a highly affordable, part-time course. Ideal for professionals aiming to boost their managerial skills, it covers practical subjects like accounting for managers, business analytics, management communication, and organisational behaviour. Upon graduation, you’re halfway to a Graduate Diploma in Business and a third of the way to an MBA. Entry requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Specialisations
You may find a course that more specifically meets your learning goals. While business administration is a general program for all managers, specialised programs are available for professionals in fields such as healthcare, HR and project management.
Many different types of Graduate Certificates in Business are suitable for aspiring managers. Most postgraduate business courses are meant for professionals aiming for managerial roles.
Lerna Courses recommends that prospective students explore the range of business courses to find the most suitable program to achieve your learning goals. Business graduate certificates usually contain management and leadership units. Additionally, subjects such as marketing and finance are usually taught for managers.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration typically covers a third of an MBA program. Make progress on an MBA degree while you acquire administration skills. The curriculum may be specialised or provide a general introduction to business studies.
The course is open to people from different backgrounds, making it ideal for anyone interested in being a manager. You don't need to have studied business before. It covers fields such as accounting, finance, economics, marketing, and leadership.
The Graduate Certificate in Health Management is for healthcare professionals seeking manager roles, such as nurses, allied health professionals, and health administrators. Programs offer leadership qualifications that create job opportunities in health organisations.
Topics may include the Australian healthcare system, managing costs and risks in health services, organisational leadership, and using digital health data. Entry typically requires a bachelor degree in any discipline, or professional experience in healthcare or human services.
The Graduate Certificate in HR Management provides knowledge and skills for a career in human resources. Programs are open to degree holders (any discipline) and experienced professionals.
Students explore topics such as human resources planning, recruitment and selection, performance assessment, and employment relations. Graduates can continue studying for an HR master's degree.
The Graduate Certificate in Project Management prepares you to be a project manager. Students learn essential skills, such as planning, budgeting, and risk assessment.
The course is ideal for professionals with significant work experience who want to gain university qualifications. Standard entry requirements are a bachelor's degree (in any discipline) or several years of relevant experience.
Is a Graduate Certificate Worth Doing?
Yes, a Graduate Certificate in Management can be a smart choice for those interested in a career as a manager. The qualification demonstrates to employers that you have expertise and interest in the discipline.
The education investment allows you to earn a well-respected credential at a lower cost and in a shorter timeframe than other postgraduate qualifications. Additionally, students benefit from a wide range of subject choices. The certificate also serves as a stepping stone to further postgraduate study.
Being fluent in the language of managers can also provide career advantages and open up opportunities for advancement. Learning the discipline enables you to speak to everyone – whether they are a recruiter, boss or employee – with more knowledge, confidence, and precision.
The return on investment (ROI) is further boosted by the ability to study online. In just 8 months of part-time study, with no time away from work, you can complete a course and add a valuable university qualification to your resume.
Related: Are Graduate Certificates Worth It in Australia?
Costs of the Course
The following table provides an overview of tuition fees for several graduate certificates offered by Australian universities.
Tuition fees at Australian universities
| University | Graduate Certificate Course | Tuition fee (per subject) |
|---|---|---|
| SCU Online | Project Management | $3,080 |
| James Cook University | Business Administration Global | $3,700 |
| RMIT University | Project Management | $4,080 |
| UTS Online | Business Administration | $4,383 |
| RMIT University | Business Administration | $4,680 |
Source: University websites. Updated: 25 July 2024
As the table indicates, tuition fees per subject range from $3,080 to $4,680, with an average fee just under $4k. Completing four subjects in a course costs around $16k, which is less than one-third the average cost of an MBA degree. Australian students are eligible for FEE-HELP loans.