Undergraduate Certificate in Small Business (Z0M)

Overview  2024

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum 0.5 Years, up to a maximum of 1 Year

Duration

Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart
Semester 1, Semester 2
Launceston
Semester 1, Semester 2
Cradle Coast
Semester 1, Semester 2
Online
Semester 1, Semester 2

This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students

Whether your dream is to open your own café, sell handmade crafts, or start local a walking tour group, the Undergraduate Certificate in Small Business is your opportunity to learn about an aspiring industry most relevant to you.

Through case studies, workshops, online material and tutorials, this course is your opportunity to develop a range of employability skills, such as communication, problem solving, planning, organisation, and critical reflection, as you explore contemporary business practices. The applied learning approach of this course means you’ll get to conduct an industry-scan, complete an experiential report, participate in a virtual field trip and industry panel discussion, and pitch your own ideas for organisation change.

This course also gives you the opportunity to choose from six elective units, offering you a diverse range of topics depending on your interests. Learn strategies for motivating and management people, by improving your human resource knowledge in recruitment, training, performance management and teamwork.  Or improve your understanding of the financial aspects of operating a business.

Discover how to successfully sell your business with a marketing strategy, or learn professional communication techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution, and giving and receiving feedback. You’ll also have the option to explore the contemporary practice of ‘Lean Thinking’, where you’ll learn how eliminating ‘wasteful’ aspects of a business can improve productivity, workflow, and workplace culture.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Small Business is great foundation for those wishing to start their career in business, or may be used as a stepping stone to accelerate a current career. If you complete the Undergraduate Certificate in Small Business and wish to continue further study, you can enter with full credit into the Associate Degree in Applied Business.

Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course, see Fees & scholarships for more information.

Please visit our Certificates page for answers to frequently asked questions about the Job Ready Certificates.

Information on Undergraduate Certificates beyond 2025

The Australian Government has currently determined that Undergraduate Certificates programs will not extend beyond 30 June 2025. This means that should they not be extended; you will need to complete all required units in 2024 to graduate with an Undergraduate Certificate before this deadline.

Should you not be able to complete all required units in 2024, we can support you to continue your study with us in another course where you will receive full credit for all the Undergraduate Certificate units completed so far. The alternate course options for this Undergraduate Certificate are listed in the Entry Requirements section below.

For the latest information and updates, please visit the Undergraduate Certificate FAQs page. If you have a question from there, please contact one of our friendly team members via UConnect.

Key contacts

Current student enrolment questions and advice UConnect
Course CoordinatorRené Kling
  • 1 Practice and reflect on business knowledge, skills, behaviours, and attributes to develop and enhance career opportunities
  • 2 Apply business processes and strategies within the contemporary small business environment
  • 3 Communicate recommendations to enable small business improvement
  • Practice-based, experiential learning and portfolio development is a key component of the Undergraduate Certificate in Small Business. In order to develop key transferable practitioner skills, you will be exposed to authentic and engaging learning experiences designed to develop your understanding of work and the workplace. The work-based components will be tailored to your individual circumstance.

    If you are currently employed in the industry, you will be encouraged to apply and complete relevant assessments within your work environment. If you do not have access to a relevant work environment, you will be provided with authentic simulated experiences.

    In the course you will be introduced to:

    1. Different methods of and approaches to practice;
    2. How issues such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership are reflected in the workplace and;
    3. The role of reflection and deliberative thinking in developing workplace-based knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations.

    Career outcomes

    A career in business can quite literally take you anywhere, and depending on the industry you’re interested in, you may find yourself in variety of roles in the lifetime of your career. Jobs requiring business skills are growing fast, with employers often now demanding formal qualifications for those applying for roles.

    Some of the careers projected to grow over the next 3 years include Advertising and Marketing professionals (+21.7%), Human Resource Professionals (+15.7%), Accountants (+9.7%), and Finance Managers (8.9%)*.

    By completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Small Business, you can transition into further study with credit towards the Associate Degree in Applied Business, where will have the option to choose between five streams depending on your interest area. Available streams include Business Improvement, Event Design and Management, Leisure, Sport and Recreation, Procurement and Supply Chains, Tourism Engagement.

    *Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business five-year projections from May 2019 to May 2024.

    Course structure

    The course structure comprises four 12.5 credit point units comprising:

    • One core unit and three elective units

    In this unit, you will identify skill sets and knowledge required to work in a chosen industry and evaluate your own skills, attributes and learning goals to work in your chosen industry. Through case studies, workshops, online materials and tutorials,…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Select three from the following

    The effective and efficient operation of business is human resource intensive. Strategies used to attract, motivate, manage and retain the right people are essential skills for all business managers for business success. This unit introduces you to how Human Resource…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit will provide you with a practical understanding of operational budgeting and financial decision making, as well as other financial concepts, practices and tools used to measure and assess the financial performance of an organisation. The use of practical…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit introduces the principles of marketing in business and the influence of consumers and the external environment. You will explore why and how a business identifies and analyses the markets for its services, products and experiences. This will include…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit introduces you to effective professional communication techniques and practices applicable to the workplace and study. You will learn about the foundations of communication, the various communication styles, professional etiquette, and different types of communication behaviours. A central focus…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit focuses on the principles and tools associated with contemporary Lean Thinking and practice. Lean Thinking or ‘lean’ is a systematic method of continuous improvement through minimising waste without sacrificing productivity, creating more value for customers. It has been…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit provides you with opportunities to develop various work-ready, transferable, and professional skills and attributes that are highly sought by employers. In addition, it allows you to explore contemporary strategies and approaches that are often used in day-to-day employment…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Entry requirements

    We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option. 

    Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.

    Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)

    This course does not use ATAR as part of the admission process. To be an eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or an equivalent qualification.

    Domestic applicants with higher education study

    To be eligible for an offer, you must have:

    • Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). You must have completed at least one unit of study (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points) at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level units completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If you have failed any units, your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
    • Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).

    Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study

    To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed a completed Certificate III or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline.

    Applications on the basis of work or life experience

    Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.

    Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.

    This course is not available to international students. Please enquire online for advice on alternative course options.

    Passes in units in other incomplete courses in this University or another approved tertiary institution may be credited towards the undergraduate certificate and a course plan developed to detail the units required by the student to qualify for the undergraduate certificate. The maximum credit granted will be in accordance with the limits as stated in the Student Participation and Attainment Ordinance.

    Students completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Small Business will receive advanced standing for four 12.5 credit point units of the Associate Degree in Applied Business

    Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.

    Fees & scholarships

    Domestic students

    Options for this course

    Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.

    If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

    You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

    Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.

    Student contribution

    Student contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.

    Further information

    Detailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

    Scholarships

    For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

    How can we help?

    Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.

    Domestic
    13 8827 (13 UTAS)
    International
    +61 3 6226 6200
    Email
    Course.Info@utas.edu.au
    Online
    Online enquiries

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