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 Duration
Part-time 2 years Location
Melbourne city
Overview
What you will learn
This associate degree offers you the opportunity to refine your professional skills and knowledge in a real or simulated business environment.
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.
Details
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.
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.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, presentations, group projects, research projects and practical assignments.
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.
By studying at RMIT you get to work on professional projects with industry mentors.
Zagame Automotive Group is Australia’s pre-eminent automotive retail organisation representing 14 prestige automotive brands. RMIT Marketing students were briefed by the brand managers to deliver a marketing project to help their 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
As a graduate of the Associate Degree in Business, you have built skills applicable to any number of industries, including public and private sectors, and small and large enterprises.
If you’re interested in pursuing further study, graduates of this course are eligible to apply for exemptions from any RMIT Bachelor of Business degree, subject to each course’s entry requirements.
As a job seeker, RMIT has a range of careers resources available to you.
Participating in the Future Edge program gives you the opportunity to build up job-ready skills and experience, and Career Hub can provide opportunities for casual and volunteer work. You can visit the Job Shop for support and assistance with job seeking and applications, and for workshops that help fill in your soft skills.
You’re also encouraged to participate in career fairs, and to book in a Completing Student Career Consultation for one-on-one guidance.
To begin building your professional network, sign up for RMIT Mentoring and be matched with an industry professional who can provide advice, guidance and connections. Student and professional associations, including Business Students Association, Business Council of Australia, and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry are all helpful resources for networking and meeting people with similar career goals and pathways.
Admissions
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. Find out more about RMIT’s commitment to admissions transparency.
You must meet the minimum academic entry requirements for this program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee you entry due to the competitive nature of this program. Overseas qualifications will be assessed for Australian equivalence.
*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’s selection criteria, outlined below according to your highest completed level of education, will provide you with a better understanding of the minimum admissions requirements needed for this program.
Selection criteria
This information is for applicants who are currently undertaking an Australian Year 12 or equivalent or whose highest qualification is a completed secondary education within the last two years (2017, 2018).
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) including units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
ATAR profile
View the ATAR profile and selection rank from students offered a place into this program wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in 2020.
This information is for applicants who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of an Australian certificate IV or above (or equivalent)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'.
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
This information is for applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education program.
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of at least four courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or equivalent)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'.
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) more than two years ago, including units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'.
If you would like your work and life experience to be considered, you should provide a copy of your curriculum vitae and a supporting statement from your employer.
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
Available only to applicants currently studying Year 12
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible applicants by giving them priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.
Available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12
Subject adjustments
A study score of 25 in Accounting, Business Management, Economics, Geography, any Information Technology, Legal Studies, any Mathematics or Psychology equals 1 aggregate point per study. A study score of 30 in any English equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 5 points.
Regional adjustments
RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to Year 12 applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all certificate IV, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree and degree level programs that select primarily on ATAR. Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.
Available to all applicants
Equity access schemes
Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education training, higher education study or work or life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
- are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
- have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
- have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program
The STAT overall score will be competitively ranked for selection.
STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English and Year 11 Mathematics prerequisites. You must meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.
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 (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 English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Even though there are no formal pathways into this course, there are often other ways you can gain entry.
Depending on the course, this may include completing a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree or undertaking recognised professional experience.
For more information, use our Pathways finder or contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.
Further study
This course offers pathways into further study at RMIT.
Graduates of this course will be eligible for exemptions from the courses below, subject to meeting each course’s entry requirements:
- Bachelor of Business (International Business) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship)
- Bachelor of Business (Professional Accountancy)
- Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Information Systems) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Logistics and Supply Chain Management) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Management)
- Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance)
- Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
- Bachelor of Business (International Business)
- Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
- Bachelor of Business (Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
- Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management)
- Bachelor of Business (Information Systems)
- Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning)/Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
- Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning)
- Bachelor of Business (Digital Business)
Credit and recognition of prior learning
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience. Find out if you might be eligible.
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
2020 indicative fees
In 2020, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,684 to AU$11,155*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$308 maximum fee for 2020.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
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.
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.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2020, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,684 to AU$11,155.
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 2020
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2020 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,684 per standard year $835 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,527 per standard year |
|
$11,155 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
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 the full amount of their student contribution.
SA-HELP Loans
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.
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 the full amount 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 2020 is $308.
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 2020 is AU$28,800.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2020 commencement is AU$58,560.
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.