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Graduate Certificate in Commerce

This four-course program equips you with foundation business knowledge, paving the way to a Master of Commerce. 

  • Overview
  • Structure
  • Entry requirements
  • How to apply
  • Student experience
  • FAQs
​

Why choose this graduate certificate?

  • Excellent pathway to a qualification in business or commerce for those with extensive work experience but no bachelor degree
  • Learn the fundamentals of business and management at one of Australia’s top business schools
  • Exposure to contemporary business thinking, principles and their applications
  • Articulation pathway: Opportunity to continue your studies with the Master of Commerce in one of 17 business specialisations on offer
  • Recognition of prior learning: Courses successfully completed in this graduate certificate are transferable to the Master of Commerce

Who is this degree for?

  • You are a professional with more than 5 years of work experience but no bachelor degree
  • You’re interested in a pathway to a postgraduate qualification in business

Job and career prospects

Depending on your intended field of specialisation, there is a wide range of career opportunities available, including:

  • Business analyst
  • Compliance officer
  • Funds manager
  • Human resource consultant
  • Investment banker
  • IS analyst
  • Management accountant
  • Management and organisation analyst
  • Marketing or brand manager
  • Risk analyst
  • Stockbroker
  • Systems analyst

The Graduate Certificate in Commerce consists of 4 courses (24 UOC): 2 core courses. plus 2 gateway courses.

Core courses

Students must take 12 UOC of the following courses.

Please note: The choice of Data Analysis course is dependent on the specialisation you may wish to pursue.

COMM5005 Quantitative Methods for Business

This course is designed to teach basic techniques that have proved useful in making business decisions. The basic quantitative skills will be presented in the context of practical problems of interest to business managers.
 
The general themes for the course are "Making Business Decisions" and "Interpreting Business Data". Specific business problems are introduced under each of these themes and the quantitative procedures needed to solve these problems will be presented.

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COMM5011 Data Analysis for Business

This course takes an integrated approach to the analysis of qualitative and quantitative business data. It will focus on the uses of information, formulating problems, data collection, drawing conclusions and reporting. Analysis methods for qualitative data will include data displays, coding, causal and content analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques for quantitative data will be introduced.

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MGMT5050 Professional Skills and Ethics

To achieve competitive advantage in today’s global business environment, managers require skills in problem anticipation, identification and solving, along with abilities to work with and in teams and engage in ethical decision making. Thus, critical and self-reflective thinking is central to success in both postgraduate study and professional business careers.

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Gateway courses

Students must take 12 UOC of the following courses.

ECON5103 Business Economics

An introduction to economic analysis and policy, with particular application to decision-making in business. The course provides students with the tools to use economic principles in decision-making and an understanding of the broader economic environment in which business decisions must be made.

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FINS5512 Financial Markets and Institutions

Serves as an introductory course. Focuses on major financial markets, including the equity, money, bond, exchange rate and derivatives markets. The basics of financial instruments in these markets, such as bank bills, treasury bonds, futures and options are taught. Exposure to the tools of analyses and the roles and innovations of major financial institutions, eg the banks and non-banks, such as finance companies, building societies and credit unions, life and insurance companies and funds management companies.

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INFS5885 e-Business

This course aims to develop students' abilities to use, analyse, and evaluate electronic business technologies and to propose a business model and develop business strategies employing these technologies. The course covers intra‐ and inter‐ organisational systems, payment systems, mobile systems, cloud computing, social technologies, smart systems, and other Internet‐based information systems relevant for electronic business. Core elements of the course are the analysis and discussion of current electronic business case studies as well as the entrepreneurial development of actual electronic business models.

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MARK5700 Elements of Marketing

Marketing plays a key role in acquiring and retaining customers that is critical to the success of an organisation. Elements of Marketing examines how to attract and retain customers by understanding their expressed and latent needs, translating these needs into value offerings that customers want, creating brand awareness and communicating benefits of the value offerings, managing the delivery of value offerings to customers, and capturing value back to the organisation. The application of the theories, concepts, techniques and practices of modern marketing will be conducted via case studies, individual and group assessments.

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MGMT5710 Managing and Leading People

Employers are increasingly demanding that graduates commence employment with highly developed skills in management and leadership. This course provides a foundation for the development of these skills for students undertaking the MCom program. The course introduces students to theories of management and leadership, including cultural differences in effectiveness of leadership, leadership in different types of organisations, and their relationships with other departments within the organisation, as well as encouraging students to engage in personal development of skills necessary for effective leadership and management.

The course aims to help students improve their understanding and competences in managing others, exercising leadership in a variety of situations and the ability to effectively work with other people in modern organisations. Students will undertake learning activities that address managerial and general skills.

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RISK5001 Fundamentals of Risk and Risk Management

"This course aims to introduce students to the complex and diverse range of risks that organisations must manage in today's increasingly global environment. The course discusses the complex nature of the words 'uncertainty' and 'risk', and how their many definitions and interpretations impact risk management. Subsequent lectures demonstrate why organisations must manage risks and what is different in the way they approach risk management today, compared to the past. The fundamental role risk culture and communication play in ensuring an organization’s ability to manage risks at Enterprise level is emphasised, and various frameworks for risk management reviewed.

The course aims to enhance students' ability to think 'outside the box' and encourages them to find solutions to complex problems, given limited information. Class debates and case study lectures are used to achieve these student attributes"

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TABL5511 Legal Foundations of Business

Law is an increasingly significant factor in business. In any business decision fundamental legal questions may arise about the potential liabilities of the parties, the rights that the parties have and how the business or transaction should be organised. This subject introduces the Australian legal system; outlines alternative forms of business organisation; discusses the legal framework of business regulation; and examines areas of law particularly relevant to business including the law of contract and torts, the laws relating to specialised commercial transactions, the regulation of restrictive trade practices and sales promotion, and intellectual property.

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Program details
View full program details in the UNSW handbookThe official University guide to degree programs and courses offered at UNSW
Class timetable
View more information on the class timetable websiteThe official University class timetable website

The Graduate Certificate in Commerce is a pathway program into the Master of Commerce for professionals without a bachelor degree but have at least 5 years full-time relevant work experience.

Supporting documentation

The following documentation is required to support your application:

    1. A detailed CV - outlining competencies, business acumen and achievements
    2. A statement responding to the following questions:

    • Why do you want to study business at the UNSW Business School? (500 words)
    • What are your most significant professional achievements and why do you view them as such? (500 words)

The UNSW English Language requirements also apply to this program.

Articulation pathway

In order to articulate into the Master of Commerce, you have to successfully complete four courses within the Graduate Certificate in Commerce, and achieve a minimum overall grade (WAM) of 65.

Contact us if you require further clarification on this articulation pathway.

Application checklist

Before you apply, ensure that you:

  1. Choose the right program that matches your interests and career aspirations
  2. Meet the entry requirements of the program
  3. Check if you are eligible to apply for credits or advanced standing based on recognition of prior learning (RPL) for this program

    4. Note: You can apply for credits during the online application process

  4. Have the various supporting documentation for your application. E.g.

   a. Official academic transcripts
   b. Proof of completion of qualification
   c. Proof of identity and citizenship
   d. Proof of relevant work experience (if required)

    You can upload the above documentation during the online application process

How to apply

You can apply for this program online:

There are three intakes per year:

  • Term 1 (February): 30 November
  • Term 2 (June)*: 31 March
  • Term 3 (September): 31 July

*Please note that not all programs have a Term 2 intake.

Late applications may be accepted after the closing dates subject to the availability of places.

Need help?

Still need help finding the right postgraduate business program for you? Contact us now.

We know you're busy balancing postgraduate study with your personal and other work commitments. So UNSW Business School's dynamic learning spaces, facilities and student support helps you make the most of every day on campus.

Expand your professional network

Your postgraduate cohort is more than a valuable future business network – you'll make lifelong friends in class and at a range of social events. Join a student club – there are more than 180 social, cultural, sports and professional clubs to choose from. The Graduate Student Association is a great place to start.  Find out more

All the support you need to achieve

If it has been a while since you last studied, you may need to brush up on your skills. We'll help with study skills workshops and Career Mentoring programs. Our Meet the Executive series offers unique behind the scenes business insights and the Business School's LEAD Business Leadership program, as well as many other orientation, leadership and mentor programs, can open the door to new opportunities. Find out more

Stay active on campus

Exercise boosts your mental wellbeing and can help you deal with exam or assignment pressures. It's easy to stay fit with state of the art sporting facilities on campus, including a 50m indoor pool, fitness centre, squash courts and a range of competitive sports teams.

Everything you need in one place

The UNSW Kensington campus is like a village hub, with cafes, bars, banks, a post office, medical and dental centres as well as retail outlets. It's a short bus trip to Sydney's CBD, many beautiful beaches, the SCG and Centennial Park, and movie theatres at Fox Studios.

Make the most of every opportunity

Your postgraduate degree is a unique chance to get a new perspective on life. So get involved – as well as student clubs and social activities there are internships, volunteer projects, competitions and international exchanges on offer. It's a great way to further develop your leadership, project management or specialist skills.

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Quick facts for students

Program code
7355
Award
Graduate Certificate
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
24
Study Mode
Face to face
Duration
0.5 years full-time, 1 year part-time
Commencing semesters
Term 1 – February
Term 3 – September
Course fee*
$4,260
Program fee (total)*
$17,040
* Fees are indicative only
Related programs
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​​​​​​​Area of Study

Browse the list of study areas available for postgraduate study

 
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