Overview 2021
Location
Commonwealth Supported places available
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the International Online Course Guide (PDF 809KB) for courses that are offered to international students
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.
Please visit our Certificates page for answers to frequently asked questions about the Job Ready Certificates.
Learning outcomes
- Practice and reflect on business knowledge, skills, behaviours, and attributes to develop and enhance career opportunities
- Apply business processes and strategies within the contemporary small business environment
- Communicate recommendations to enable small business improvement
Practical experience
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:
- Different methods of and approaches to practice;
- How issues such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership are reflected in the workplace and;
- 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 electives.
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
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for ZAA131 Contemporary Business Environments
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
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit will provide you with an understanding of financial concepts, practices and tools used to measure and assess the financial performance of a business within the business operating environment. Throughout the unit, case studies, tasks and simulations will develop…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit introduces the principles of marketing in business, the influence of consumers and the external environment. You will explore why and how a business identifies and analyses the markets for its products, services and experience. This will include an…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
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
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
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
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
In this unit you will be introduced to a range of foundational workplace knowledge, skills and attributes to help prepare you for work in contemporary contexts. You will complete various practical activities that will equip you with the tools expected…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.
Entry requirements
Entry Requirements
This Undergraduate Certificate is open to applicants from a broad range of backgrounds.
DOMESTIC APPLICANTS
Domestic Applicants who have recently completed secondary education
Completed the TCE (or equivalent)
Domestic Applicants with higher education study
Completed at least one undergraduate unit (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points).
Domestic Applicants with VET / TAFE study
A completed VET Certificate III or higher,
Domestic Applicants with work and life experience:
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have relevant work and life experience you can complete a personal competency statement. You may be eligible for an offer if you have work and life experiences that demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
Prerequisites
Nil
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
This course is not available to international students
Credit transfer
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 stated in the Student Participation and Attainment Ordinance.
Articulation to
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
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
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
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries