Associate Degree in Business
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years, Part-time may be available -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July
Entry score
ATAR 50.05
Duration
Part-time 2 years Location
Melbourne city Fees
AU$27,840 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Your career in business
An Associate Degree in Business equips students with the skills to succeed in organisations ranging from Australia's largest companies through to the public sector and small and medium enterprises.
What you will learn in this program
This enhanced business program develops your professional skills in all aspects of the modern business environment, and covers the fundamentals of people management, market analysis and buyer behaviour.
Details
This higher education business program offers you the opportunity to refine your professional business skills and knowledge in a real or simulated business environment.
You will graduate with the confidence to analyse and solve problems, work collaboratively, and understand basic business concepts for immediate employment outcomes or as a basis for further study.
Most of your classes will be held in RMIT's Swanston Academic Building which features innovative learning spaces interspersed with retail and social spaces resulting in a stimulating environment for students.
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate project work.
Through RMIT University’s online learning portal, myRMIT, you will be able to view online resources and learning activities created by lecturers, access course materials via Blackboard, collaborate with lecturers and fellow students, and access your student email account.
Educational software, the Learning Hub, resources and printers are accessible on campus via the RMIT wireless network using your own laptop, tablet or smart phone or via computer facilities on-campus. You will be able to access the same software from home using myDesktop.
Find out more about student computing at RMIT.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, presentations, group projects, research projects and practical assignments.
Inside the course experience
Find out if an Associate Degree in Business is right for you. Read what current students and alumni have to say.
Some courses within the associate degree use embedded work-integrated learning, particularly the course Design for Business, which involves project-based work, allowing you to use the knowledge you have gained about lean process methods to create or optimise a business practice. Visual Management for Business, studied at the end of your first year, involves a site visit to view innovation and change processes directly.
In your final year, you may choose to enrol in the Business Internship elective (12 credit points) which involves taking up a position in industry for one or two days per week for one semester. These positions are normally unpaid and are designed to develop your soft skills and increase your overall employability upon graduation. The placement must be self-sourced.
Guiding the development of the College of Business, both nationally and internationally, is an Industry Advisory Board of high-profile executives chaired by Gerhard Vorster, Chief Strategy Officer, Deloitte. The Board creates a strategic bridge between the latest in technology and design thinking and business.
Student exchange opportunities may be possible into programs offered at RMIT Vietnam.
Find out about international opportunities in the College of Business.
The Associate Degree in Business consists of 16 courses of 12 credit points each.
- You'll gain a solid foundation in business by studying 8 business common core courses.
- These are combined with 2 courses that introduce you to design theory and lean process techniques like process planning and mapping. You'll learn to apply these to the development, implementation and optimisation of business practice.
- To help you progress to further study, you'll complete 5 courses introducing the major streams in our Bachelor of Business programs, and one student elective.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree in Business | City Campus |
Two years (4 semesters) full time
|
Two years (4 semesters) full time
|
AD010 | 068663K |
Choose a program structure
Program code: AD010
Career
Admissions
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent year 12 applicants.
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options.
RMIT admits students from a range of educational pathways, including Year 12 results, previous higher education or vocational education study, work experience, and for some programs - interviews, auditions or portfolios.
Gain a better understanding of the Admission criteria for this program by viewing RMIT’s Admission information.
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR or GPA (including any adjustments).
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent in 2016, 2017 or 2018. If applicable, this includes equity access schemes and any other adjustment factors.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible students from SNAP partner schools.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Certificate IV or above or equivalent.
Applicants with Higher Education study
Satisfactory completion of at least four courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level or overseas equivalent.
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent more then two years ago.
You must sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Multiple Choice if:
- You have no prior Year 12, VET qualifications, HE results or relevant work experience that meet the minimum entry requirements for the program; and
- You are 19 years of age or over (as of 1 Jan 2019) and have not enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years.
The STAT Multiple Choice will satisfy Year 12 English and Year 11 Mathematics prerequisites. Applicants must meet all other prerequisites or equivalents. Learn more about RMIT STAT results.
None
Find out about local student entry requirements for bachelor and associate degrees that are equivalent.
Form: Non-Year 12 applicants may submit additional information if they would like it to be considered.
- For semester 1 intake, this can be completed through the VTAC Personal Statement online.
- For semester 2 intake, this can be completed through the personal statement in the Apply Direct application.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program will support your application into RMIT programs through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) supports elite athlete and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent senior secondary school qualification with a minimum average of 50% (see calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.0 (with no individual band below 5.5)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 550 (TWE 4.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 60 (with minimum of 10 in Reading, 9 in Listening, 16 in Speaking and 19 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 50 (with no communication band less than 42)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 169 with no less than 162 in any component.
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 Advanced Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Graduates of the Associate Degree in Business may apply for exemptions from any RMIT Bachelor of Business degree, subject to meeting each program's entry requirements.
For details about pathways and the duration of your studies, please visit the recognised pathways page.
When you successfully complete the Associate Degree in Business you are guaranteed entry into a range of other RMIT programs.
You will receive 4 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 192 credit points) in the following programs:
- Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
- Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship)
- Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning)
- Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management)
- Bachelor of Business (Information Systems)
- Bachelor of Business (International Business)
- Bachelor of Business (Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
- Bachelor of Business (Management)
- Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
- Bachelor of Business (Digital Business)
You will receive 3 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 144 credit points) in the following programs:
You will receive 3 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 156 credit points) in the following programs:
- Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning) / Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
- Bachelor of Business (International Business) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Logistics and Supply Chain Management) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Professional Accountancy)
You will receive 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 120 credit points) in the Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) (Applied).
For more detailed information on the above pathways, please refer to College of Business Vocational Education to Higher Education Advanced Standing.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.
Fees
Entry for this program is through Commonwealth supported places (CSP).
2019 indicative fees
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
* 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.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. 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.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2019
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year
|
HECS-HELP
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to 100% of their student contribution.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your HECS-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 will 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.
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 2019 is $303.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA‑HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$27,840.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$56,640.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.