Graduate Diploma of Applied Business

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge and skills with reflection to professional practice.
2. Analyse and evaluate business concepts applicable to their chosen business area of interest.
3. Apply strategic thinking to applicable business contexts.
4. Use knowledge and skills to problem solve and identify opportunities in specialist areas and in the broader business context.

The Graduate Diploma of Applied Business from Charles Sturt University is your pathway to business success – and a stepping stone to further study.

Choose from a wide range of subjects when you study a diploma of business at Charles Sturt to hone a skill set that perfectly aligns with your career goals.

Created with industry... for industry

We convened an advisory panel from across industries to help design this course - so you get the skills and knowledge industry needs. With members drawn from government, healthcare, education, banking, recruitment, digital media and management consultancy, the panel worked with our subject experts to craft a course that will empower you to solve today's - and tomorrow's - business challenges.

Ready when you are

With three different start dates throughout the year, this diploma of business works around your schedule. You can also study full-time or part-time, and take on more subjects or scale back as you need, depending on what life throws at you.

Explore real-world solutions

When you study business at Charles Sturt, you'll learn from academics who have a diverse range of experience in finding solutions for business and government. Your academic team will include researchers investigating everything from managing supply chain logistics and creating brand authenticity, to fostering diversity and wellbeing in the workplace.

Start small and build up

The flexible nature of our suite of applied business courses means you can start with a graduate certificate and build to a diploma then a full master's degree, with credit for each step you complete. You also have the option to 'test the water' with an eight-week micro-subject.

Recommended study pattern

Because of the flexibility of the course requirements, there is no prescribed enrolment pattern. Students may choose the order in which they undertake subjects, depending upon the availability of subjects and the meeting of any prerequisites or assumed knowledge. Students are encouraged to enrol in core subjects in the initial sessions and complete as many of these as possible before selecting specialisation subjects.

The recommended enrolment pattern is 3 or 4 subjects per compulsory session for a full-time student (course duration 1.5 to 2 years) and 1 or 2 subjects per compulsory session for a part-time student (course duration 3 to 4 years).

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $32,400

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.

Learn more about CSU.

Explore CSU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

34

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

37

Applicants without a bachelor degree may be admitted on the basis of professional attainment and/or work experience. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma, students will then be eligible for admission to the Master of Applied Business and receive credit for applicable subjects.

Applicants without a bachelor degree may be admitted on the basis of professional attainment and/or work experience. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma, students will then be eligible for admission to the Master of Applied Business and receive credit for applicable subjects.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.