Graduate Certificate in Business Administration Online
8 months part-time
GCBA
Eligible for Fee-HELP. Learn more
Jan, Mar, May, Jun, Aug, Oct
Online
Course Overview
5 years of relevant business work experience is all you need to start your online MBA journey. Apply now and complete the four 6-week courses in leadership, marketing, entrepreneurship and finance to set your next career phase in motion.
Ready for more impact, greater influence and new ideas to propel your career forward? Graduate from Australia’s #1 university for entrepreneurship education.
Why study business with us?
First-timers welcome
Need an MBA but don’t have an undergraduate degree? Start with our Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (GCBA) and continue onto our MBA when you’re ready.
100% online
Collaborate through interactive sessions and video seminars. Work, study and play whenever suits you.
Free coaching
Access free career coaching to refine your LinkedIn profile, personal brand and persuasiveness in a job interview.
FEE-HELP available
Enrol in a business certificate today and you can get a FEE-HELP loan to pay all or part of your tuition fees (subject to eligibility). Learn more
Endless support
Access free academic support services including live 1:1 writing, maths, and referencing tutoring.
International reputation
Get noticed with a formal qualification from a Go8 university in the top 1% globally*.
Accreditations and memberships
Make your mark amidst a rich history of excellence spanning more than 140 years.
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
We are in the top 5% of business schools attributed with AACSB accreditation. AACSB is the largest and most recognised specialised business accreditation worldwide.
European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)
We are a proud member of the EFMD global network association, which includes over 900 institutional members and reaches more than 30,000 management development professionals from academia, business, public service and consultancy.
Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU)
We are the only university in the world to receive ACEEU dual accreditation for being ‘Entrepreneurial’ and ‘Engaged’. The University of Adelaide was ranked the number 1 Australian University for entrepreneurship education and engagement.
Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) advanced membership
Adelaide Business School is a proud Advanced Signatory to the PRME; a United Nations initiative aimed to serve as a platform to raise the profile of sustainability in schools around the world and to equip today's business students with the understanding and ability to deliver change tomorrow.
Flexible online learning
Studying graduate certificate in business administration courses online gives you the freedom to learn on your terms: no in-person exams and the freedom to complete your business coursework around your schedule.
How long is each subject in the Graduate Certificate of Business Administration? Upskill faster by completing one business course every six weeks.
What will I be doing during my online business administration course? Experience inspiring webinars, online tutorials, real-world case studies, group discussions, collaborative tasks, personal reflections, and guided business research.
The University of Adelaide has partnered with Boundless Learning, a leading global learning company, to deliver this degree 100% online. The Partnership has been established to deliver the very best experience and learning outcomes to all our students. Students will be awarded a University of Adelaide qualification and this degree meets the University's highest quality standards.
What skills will I gain?
What skills will I gain?
A GCBA will help you gain new business skills for more impact at work now. Our online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration will strengthen your:
- intellectual and emotional self-awareness
- ability to mobilise people to address common business challenges
- capacity to recognise and evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities
- accounting and marketing knowledge and capabilities
- interpersonal communication.
Apply now and receive a response to your Graduate Certificate in Business Administration application in as soon as 3 days.
What our business students say:
“The leadership course was really interesting; it gave me insight into myself as a leader and the way that other people need to be led in challenging scenarios. That was instantly beneficial during COVID-19.”
- Toby Baldock, current student
What will my business assignments be?
All assessments and coursework are 100% online. Types of assessments in the online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration will include:
- quizzes
- ePortfolios
- short essays
- short videos
- reports
- reflective tasks.
Download a brochure to learn more.
Contact us now
Contact us now
Get your questions answered
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm (ACST/ACDT), Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm (ACST/ACDT).
We can help you with:
- entry requirements
- curriculum
- key dates & intakes
- your unique situation
- finance.
Business career paths and opportunities
Making your business dreams a reality requires a specific suite of skills. Your time with the Adelaide Business School is the perfect opportunity to refine and experiment with your business concept or even recruit top talent for your budding business. The flexibility of online education will also give you extra time and energy to dedicate to your start-up.
A postgraduate business administration degree is often a pre-requisite for many consulting roles, especially once you reach a more senior level. Continue onto our MBA with further expert courses to further your knowledge and give your future clients the assurance you have the necessary business skills to guide them forward. The range of analytical skills you will gain will help you tackle any future consulting project that comes your way.
Strategic thinking, executive-level influence and understanding of the big picture are at the core of any business development or sales role. A Graduate Certificate in Business Administration will help you stand out from the competition with your impressive business acumen. Let us help you fast-track your career progression, grow your network of business connections or plan a horizontal career move.
University of Adelaide business administration program information
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Leadership and Influencing - MANAGEMT 7123OL
Duration: 6 weeks
Number of assessments: 3
Course overview
The types of challenges that business leaders face today need individuals, including ourselves, to change. Understanding yourself is therefore paramount.
In this business subject, you will explore your leadership story, philosophy, and areas for improvement. Using a range of current development models, you will deepen your intellectual and emotional self-awareness to help you adapt your leadership style to motivate your entire team. Through reflecting on Harvard Business case studies and other coursework, you will gain the following, work-ready skills, including how to:
- plan and structure tasks to direct staff
- engage followers through knowledge of their diverse attributes and motivations
- manage conflicts to resolve interpersonal problems
- foster ongoing productive business relationships
- problem solve and make sound business decisions
- sustain innovation and production
- influence multiple stakeholders.
We will empower you with the skills to assess, evaluate and critically examine leadership approaches that are appropriate to your unique work context and environment, be it person centric, transactional or complex.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this business course, you will be able to:
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critique paradigms of business leadership and management, to address the major organisational challenges in complex and entrepreneurial organisations
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evaluate the capacity of a range of leadership models to mobilise people in a changing or innovative environment
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critically evaluate the range of communication skills required to effectively lead and manage a diverse workforce
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create an action plan for your leadership skill development that includes critical reflection of personal preferences.
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Accounting and Financial Management - MANAGEMT 7126OL
Duration: 6 weeks
Number of assessments: 3
Course overview
Organisations, economies and societies can’t be prosperous without sound financial literacy. The purpose of this business certificate course is to improve your financial management skills so you can better assess the financial performance of an organisation.
You will be introduced to the language and key concepts of accounting including:
- time value of money
- capital budgeting
- risk-return paradigm
- financing capital expenditure.
You will also grow your hands-on knowledge of balance sheets, cash flow reports, measuring changes in equity and earnings statements.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this business certificate course, you will be able to:
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integrate ethical, compliance, and governance obligations of managers in organisations to contextualise managerial roles and responsibilities
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investigate the nature and application of the four principal financial statements (i.e. the income statement, statement of financial position, statement of cash flows and statement of changes in equity) to inform managerial decision-making within a business
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interpret quantitative and qualitative data to assess the financial performance and position of an organisation
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prepare budgets to make decisions about planning, controlling and directing activities
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apply recognised evaluation methodologies to make capital investment decisions.
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Marketing for Managers - MANAGEMT 7124OL
Duration: 6 weeks
Number of assessments: 3
Course overview
Generating revenue, no matter the source or sector, requires marketing. This course offers an introduction to the purpose, nature and roles of the marketing discipline and how it applies to managers. This business course will equip you with the skills to:
- evaluate markets
- uncover consumer and buyer behaviour
- target specific business opportunities
- build, manage and measure brand equity
- plan a marketing mix
- keep adjacent functions customer orientated.
In being able to ‘think in marketing terms’, you will be empowered to make better business decisions, adapt to the organisation’s approach to meet objectives and understand its contribution to an enterprise’s activity. You will also learn how to authentically connect with customers in the value exchange that is doing business.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
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use appropriate marketing frameworks to analyse the performance and current situation of an enterprise to assist in decision making
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examine marketing practices and relevant data to formulate strategic recommendations to improve enterprise performance
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evaluate information related to enterprise performance critically to synthesise new knowledge to guide management decisions
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critique marketing strategies and communicate issues and problems using relevant theories, concepts and methods.
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Entrepreneurial Mindset - MANAGEMT 7125OL
Duration: 6 weeks
Number of assessments: 3
Course overview
An entrepreneurial mindset is now essential for more than just those in the start-up sector. This course will enable you to cultivate and evaluate profitable opportunities, no matter the business setting. The aim of this course is to empower you with the entrepreneurial attitude and skill set, such as:
- the ability to recognise highly profitable opportunities or emerging business trends
- generate creative business ideas
- spearhead a new venture
- fluid and adaptive decision-making skills
- the agility to experiment and problem solve
- the resilience to navigate ambiguity and uncertainty
- establishing risk tolerance and mitigation
- embody LEAN principals
- a strong bias to action.
The course content will address how these skills can be applied in business as well as community and social settings.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
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evaluate the core concepts and theory of the nature of enterprise and entrepreneurship
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investigate the various forms and models of entrepreneurship as a process
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develop an entrepreneurial mindset considering the influencing factors
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integrate innovation as an entrepreneurial process for projects and proposals
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investigate the factors that drive opportunity in the entrepreneurial process
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critically assess the viability and goals of entrepreneurial projects and proposals.
Graduate Certificate in Business Administration Online
To be eligible for our online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, you need to meet one of the following requirements:
- A completed undergraduate bachelor degree (or equivalent) and a minimum of 2 years' relevant work experience.
- No degree, completed GMAT with a score of >500 and a minimum of 2 years' relevant work experience.
- No degree, with minimum five years’ relevant work experience.
Master of Business Administration
To be eligible for our online Master of Business Administration, you need to meet one the following requirements:
- A completed undergraduate bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and a minimum of 2 years' relevant work experience.
- No degree, completed GMAT with a score of >500 and a minimum of 2 years' relevant work experience.
- A completed university Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.
All students must meet English language requirements (see below).
English Language Requirements
In order to meet the English language proficiency requirements for our 100% online postgraduate programs, you must be able to demonstrate that you meet the minimum English Language requirements.
Typically, if English is your first language you will not be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. You will also not be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency if you are an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident (visa status) or hold a passport from one of the following countries: Canada (English-speaking provinces only), New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
To learn more, visit the English Language Proficiency Requirements for detailed information about these requirements, including acceptable English language tests.
We also recommend that you speak to an Enrolment Advisor to discuss options that are specific to your circumstances. You can schedule a call here.
What is the total cost?
$19,944 or $4,986 per course (2025 fees).
Find more information on fees for domestic students, including annual fees and fee increases, in the Fees (domestic students) section.
Is there FEE-HELP available?
Yes, Australian citizens are eligible for a HELP loan. You must also be enrolled in a program with the University of Adelaide by the enrolment deadline (census), and have not reached the HELP loan limit.
Once you have been offered a place in the University of Adelaide program, you will be able to apply for a HELP loan as a part of the enrolment process. Please see our FAQs section for further details.
The four courses of the online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration are the same first courses of our Master of Business Administration program. Once you’ve passed each of the four courses that make up the graduate certificate in business administration, you can continue onto the masters program with 1/3 of the degree under your belt, or exit with a graduate certificate award. It’s up to you.
The online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration will build your academic confidence and establish a solid foundation for the more advanced business capabilities covered in the MBA. Enjoy the unparalleled international recognition that comes with obtaining an MBA by completing an additional 7 courses, which include:
- Innovation Management
- Managing People and Organisations
- Managerial Economics
- Research for Managers
- Strategic Alignments
- Systems Thinking
- Research Project
Enrol in our general stream or choose to specialise in Health Management. Learn more about our MBA here.
Get in touch
Get in touch
Our Expert Advisors are available
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm (ACST/ACDT), Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm (ACST/ACDT).
We can help you with:
- entry requirements
- curriculum
- key dates & intakes
- your unique situation
- finance.
Download a brochure now
Download a brochure now
Request a brochure to learn more about:
- the University of Adelaide
- program directors
- MBA pathway
- online learning experience
- course content and learning outcomes
- assessments and more
Apply now
Create an account to start your application
Applying for the online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is a quick and easy process. Find out if your application was successful in as soon as 2-5 days.
Want to better understand the application process?
Book a 1:1 call now with our enrolment advisors and we can walk you through the application process — from how to meet the entry requirements through to enrolling in your first subject.
