Graduate Diploma in Business Administration

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
January
March
June
September

Campus
City West

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Program Code
DGMA

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Fees
$AU 41,900 per 1.0 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025

Entry requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the program will normally have:

a) A minimum of three (3) years full time management experience and a recognised university Bachelor degree or equivalent professional qualifications;

or

b) A Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from the University of South Australia with an average of at least a Pass Level 1 (55%), or an equivalent qualification from the University of South Australia or from another recognised university.

or

c) A minimum of seven (7) years full time management experience.

All applicants are also required to submit a detailed curriculum vitae or equivalent with at least one referee who can validate work experience.

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Graduate Diploma of Business Administration provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to advance a career in senior organisational management.

Qualities developed by the degree include strategic thinking, ethical conduct, an international perspective, the ability to think critically, and the ability to work both collaboratively and with a high level of autonomy and accountability.

Content & Structure

This program comprises 36 units of study, normally completed as 8 courses of 4.5 unit value each, plus a structured Commencement Seminar.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
COURSES and SEQUENCING:
FIRST:
Strategic Thinking: Concepts and Tools	BUSS 5424	4.5
THEN - in any order, any 7 of the following courses:
Accounting for Decision Making	BUSS 5247	4.5
Data Visualisation and Communication for Business Professionals	INFS 5128	4.5
Managing People and Organisations	BUSS 5425	4.5
International Business	BUSS 5251	4.5
Strategic Marketing	BUSS 5245	4.5
Ethics, Governance and Sustainability	BUSS 5385	4.5
Leadership for Growth	BUSS 5438	4.5
Elective 1		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1
Elective 2		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Specified electives
Entrepreneurship and Innovation	BUSS 5080	4.5
Negotiation	BUSS 5355	4.5
The Law for Managers	LAWS 5016	4.5
Responsible Leadership	BUSS 5389	4.5
International Study Tour	BUSS 5421	4.5
Contemporary Management Issues B	BUSS 5419	4.5
Digital Business Strategy and Operations	BUSS 5451	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Electives are to be chosen from a range of specified elective courses set out in the electives schedule and online timetable or, subject to Program Director approval, from courses in other postgraduate programs at the University of South Australia or from other recognised higher education institutions.

2. The Graduate Diploma in Business Administration is designed as a nested program with credit transfers and articulation pathways from the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.

Notes

1. Not all electives will be offered each year. Students should refer to the online timetable for details of courses offered in the current year as additional electives may be offered on a once-off basis.