Choosing a Postgraduate Business or Management Related Course

The how, what and why of Postgrad Biz study

You may find the following information useful in deciding whether you undertake postgraduate study and which course will best meet your needs.

What is Postgraduate Study?


Postgraduate Business and Management related qualifications are offered by all Australian universities and a number of other registered education providers. Postgraduate qualifications include:

  • Graduate certificate
  • Graduate diplomas
  • Masters degrees
  • Doctorates - PhD or professional doctorates

There are thousands of postgraduate programs on offer in Australia. Many are full-fee courses, some are still available using a Commonwealth supported place (formerly known as a HECS place).

Courses are offered full-time, part-time, by distance education, online or in a mix of these modes. Many awards do not require students to have an undergraduate degree and some are articulated - offering a graduate certificate, progressing to a graduate diploma and then to a masters degree. This has the advantage that if you decide not to continue your studies you still have a qualification to show for your efforts. Master’s degrees usually have twelve, ten or even eight units.

Postgraduate study can be undertaken by coursework, by research or a combination of both. Some courses are only open to students who have completed previous study at university but in some cases those who have previous work experience or who meet other specified criteria may also apply.

Coursework degrees. These are taught in a similar way to undergraduate awards. On campus teaching is carried out using lectures, laboratory sessions tutorials, and possibly group work and are assessed by assignments, projects and/or examinations. Some require you to undertake a research project. Distance and online courses are taught in a similar way with printed and/or online materials replacing lectures and tutorials. Some may have a requirement for attendance on campus at some stage in the course, while others have no on campus requirements at all. Many have opportunities for interaction with other students, academics and other professionals in web-based chat rooms, via podcasts or online lectures or in ‘real’time using online video conferencing or other technology.

Research degrees require the student to have a supervisor who has a special interest in the work being undertaken. The choice of a suitable supervisor is vital and often potential students will choose their supervisor rather than the institution where they wish to study. Masters degrees usually take 1-2 years of full time study or equivalent in part-time study and PhDs usually take a minimum of three years of full time study or equivalent in part-time study.

Click on the following links to find out more details about choosing postgraduate study.