Diploma in Business

Get your foot in the door

Our one-year Diploma in Business sets you up for understanding and working in the business world. It’s a great introduction to business for students who want to explore the topic before undertaking the full bachelor degree.

The diploma also acts as a recognised qualification should you choose to come out of the Bachelor of Commerce after one year of learning.  

What will you do?

  • Explore principles of marketing, management, business law, accounting and business statistics.
  • Build communication skills for business contexts.
  • Apply your learning to real-world scenarios.
  • Work with researchers and peers in a Small Group Discovery Experience.
  • Benefit from collaborative problem-solving, reflections and online discussions.
  • Develop cultural and ethical awareness.

Where could it take you?

If you want to study further, and successfully pass the diploma, you’ll be guaranteed entry into a range of University of Adelaide business degrees, plus gain credit for the first year. You could also seek employment in entry level business positions, perhaps as a marketing assistant, assistant broker or sales manager.


  • AACSB accredited
  • Australia's #1 University for entrepreneurship education^
  • ISO 9001 Certification

^Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities, 2017

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 316221
2023 CSP ATAR 91.05
2023 CSP IB 24
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 65
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 24
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer N/A
Median ATAR to receive an offer N/A
Highest ATAR to receive an offer N/A
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer N/A
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer N/A
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer N/A
Minimum eligibility score 65
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only

Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $15,780

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Administrative Assistant;  Marketing Officer;  Communications Officer;  Personal / Research Officer (Local MP);  Project Officer;  Editorial Assistant;  Wine Marketing

Degree Structure

To qualify for the degree of Diploma in Business, you must complete satisfactorily a program of study not less than 24 units, comprising:
  1. core courses to the value of 21 units
  2. elective courses to the value of 3 units.

Example Study Plan

Core Courses

To satisfy the requirements for core courses, you must complete all of the following (total value 21 units):

Electives
To satisfy the requirements for electives, you must complete courses to the value of 3 units from any undergraduate courses offered by the University that are available to you.

Further Study

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023