Not applicable
AU$22,080 (2025 total)
AU$25,440 (2025 total)
Gain essential business leadership and strategic thinking skills to take your career to the next level.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive) gives you the opportunity to study leadership, ethics and cross-functional management as you further develop your skills in design thinking, creativity and analytics, allowing you to make a greater business and social impact.
In this course, you will benefit from:
Connect with industry partners and strengthen your networks.
Build a foundation for your career, or be prepared for further study.
Gain eligibility to join the Institute of Managers and Leaders.
You will experience a variety of teaching and learning approaches throughout your study, including lectures, tutorials, working independently and in teams where you will benefit from the additional insights and understandings that come from interaction with classmates.
Lectures deliver a comprehensive review of the latest thinking and world's best practice, while tutorials provide opportunities for facilitated discussion. In addition, you will have access to online and digital resources such as lecture notes, assessment tools, discussion boards and podcasts.
Assessment is ongoing throughout the semester and includes examinations, essays, reports, presentations, group projects, research projects and practical assignments. While group assignments are an important component of every subject, the focus of the assessment is weighted towards individual performance.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
This course runs a successful professional development series, which connects RMIT’s industry partners with alumni and current students.
The purpose of these forums is to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to strengthen their networks and engage with prominent industry leaders on issues of current relevance.
The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive) comprises four core subjects.
In addition to further developed skills in leadership, you will also have the opportunity to explore design thinking, marketing, and accounting for business decisions.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.
You are encouraged to progress to the Executive Master of Business Administration.
Graduates of the arts, business, engineering, health, IT and many other fields may choose to study the Graduate Certificate or Master degree to broaden their career options.
Course accreditation or membership offered by professional bodies signals to employers the quality and relevance of RMIT's courses and opens up career pathways and networks.
Professional bodies accredit or recognise courses as meeting professional and academic standards deemed to be essential for a new graduate entering into that profession. An accredited course will either enable the graduate to enter directly into a professional qualifications program or provide the graduate with exemptions or credit towards a post university professional qualification.
This type of accreditation is where a statutory body must approve a course of study in order for a graduate to practise in that profession.
Professional bodies or associations are representative organisations of professions that provide membership and other career development support to its members. Many professional bodies offer membership opportunities for students and new graduates with benefits such as career advice, networking within the profession and access to resources not available through the university. The aim of these benefits is to assist with your transition from university into the profession.
Current course accreditations and information about membership and development opportunities for students and graduates.
You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.
OR
Minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience in a management role with supervisory responsibilities. Applicants will be required to submit a CV which outlines supervision of staff, performance review and responsibility to budget
Significant work experience (8-10 years) with at least 5 years full-time equivalent in a management role with supervisory responsibilities.
Applicants must submit a CV which outlines supervision of staff, performance review and responsibility to budget.
In addition to the CV, to be considered for selection, you must include with your application a personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining a concise explanation of your personal motivation for undertaking the Graduate Certificate Business Administration Executive course, and your attitude towards personal reflection and reflective learning; and collaboration and class participation.
You must submit two referee recommendations either from your supervisor or from a professional peer.
A limited number of Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available in this course. The minimum GPA to be considered for a CSP is 2.7 out of 4.0. To be considered for a CSP you must apply for the CSP offering through the RMIT Application System.
Students currently enrolled in this course in a full-fee place may apply to transfer to a CSP upon completing 48 credit points (not including credit transfer), subject to meeting minimum GPA requirement in full-fee course.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
To be considered for selection, you must include with your application a personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining a concise explanation of your personal motivation for undertaking the Graduate Certificate Business Administration Executive course, and your attitude towards personal reflection and reflective learning; and collaboration and class participation.
Submit two referee recommendations either from your supervisor or from a professional peer.
You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.
You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.
OR
Minimum of 3 years full-time equivalent work experience in a management role with supervisory responsibilities. Applicants will be required to submit a CV which outlines supervision of staff, performance review and responsibility to budget
Significant work experience (8-10 years) with at least 5 years full-time equivalent in a management role with supervisory responsibilities.
Applicants must submit a CV which outlines supervision of staff, performance review and responsibility to budget.
In addition to the CV, to be considered for selection, you must include with your application a personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining a concise explanation of your personal motivation for undertaking the Graduate Certificate Business Administration Executive course, and your attitude towards personal reflection and reflective learning; and collaboration and class participation.
You must submit two referee recommendations either from your supervisor or from a professional peer.
All non-Australian residents and overseas full-fee paying students are required to meet RMIT English language requirements. For more information on these requirements and acceptable English Language tests please see Recognised qualifications and English speaking countries.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
To be considered for selection, you must include with your application a personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining a concise explanation of your personal motivation for undertaking the Graduate Certificate Business Administration Executive course, and your attitude towards personal reflection and reflective learning; and collaboration and class participation.
Submit two Referee recommendations either from your supervisor or from a professional peer.
To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).
You can gain entry to this graduate certificate from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.
Applicants who have successfully completed postgraduate studies in a business or related discipline at another institution can have these assessed for credit or exemptions from this course consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive) is a pathway to the Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA).
If you wish to progress to the Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA), upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration you will be admitted to the Master degree with exemptions from the four courses completed in the Graduate Certificate, leaving a further eight courses to complete.
You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.
Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.
When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.
When you successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration you are guaranteed entry into the Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) with 1 semester of advanced standing (equivalent to 48 credit points).
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT postgraduate programs.
This program has full-fee places, with a limited number of Commonwealth supported places (CSP).
Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
If you are offered a full-fee place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2025. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2025 |
---|---|
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture | $4,627 per standard year $578 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology | $9,314 per standard year $1,164 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science | $13,241 per standard year $1,655 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture | $16,992 per standard year $2,124 per standard (12 credit point) course |
On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).
For more information about SLE, visit Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.
See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.