Graduate Certificate in Business (GCB)

The Holmes Graduate Certificate in Business provides the opportunity for students to experience post graduate and provides introductory studies in a range of business disciplines including accounting, economics, management, finance, and marketing. The course comprises of four units and is conducted over one semester. The Graduate Certificate enables students to articulate to the Graduate Diploma in Business and the Master of Business Administration. The course also offers the opportunity to students as an exit qualification from the previous mentioned courses if students are unable to complete these courses.

The Study Program

The program provides students with the understanding, knowledge and skills necessary to explain and discuss essential principles and practices of business. These are delivered through the business and management units

The core curriculum develops students’ understanding and ability to interpret financial statements and understand the economic factors that impact modern day businesses.  The electives provide students with the opportunity to focus on the management knowledge of interest to them.

The Graduate Certificate in Business is a modern business qualification designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge and attributes in management that are immediately applicable in modern day organisations.

Course Structure and Content

The Graduate Certificate in Business award, which consists of 16 credit points (4 Units x 4 credit points each). Two core units must be completed plus two elective units.

Core Subjects

HI 5001 Accounting for Business Decisions
Principles and practices of accounting as they relate to business decision making is the subject focus. The theory is applied to large organisations, both private and public, as well as to small and medium sized enterprises. The fundamentals of integrating accounting into the market valuation of business enterprises and the preparation and interpretation of the financial statements are canvassed. Relevant contemporary issues and challenges from the field are introduced.

HI 5003 Economics for Business
Macro and microeconomic issues relevant to business are canvassed - the broad business and economic environment and range of settings in which managers work. The focus is on the development and use of economic principles and tools that equip business managers to operate in these settings. Questions addressed include: what makes firms competitive as well as what makes economies successful in a global environment. Policy issues addressed include: the issue of trade versus aid, imports and exports, investment and taxation policy.

Elective Subjects

HI 5004 Marketing Management
Principles and practices of marketing management, both local and international, are addressed. The role of marketing in business as well as non-business settings is covered. Topics include the role of market research and metrics in the formulation of marketing strategy in response to specific market conditions. The tools of marketing such as positioning, segmentation, targeting, price, distribution and promotion are all elaborated.

HI 6005 Management and Organisations in a Global Environment
Management, described by some as an art and by others as a science, has no precise formulation. Students of management are expected to develop and in-depth knowledge of management concepts but also a critical appreciation of the controversies that besiege them. As management plays out in a globalised business environment, the multi-faceted nature of the management challenge is even more demanding.  The world is becoming a Global Village, managers (even those in small business) must increasingly look to the world for markets, competitive threats and opportunities. As such managers must increasingly be able to transcend the norms and biases of their own culture and comfort zones and be competent in communicating with managers and others from other cultures and norms.

HI 6006 Competitive Strategy
The process of strategy formulation, applicable in a variety of organisational contexts, is introduced from the principles and practices in the field. Examples are chosen from large organisations in both the private and public sectors, as well as from small to medium enterprises. The basic knowledge about strategies that deliver competitive advantage is detailed. The drivers of strategy are explored in the context of a globally competitive business environment.

HI 6007 Statistics for Business Decisions
This subject seeks to engage students in the exploration of statistical analysis applicable to a variety of business settings for the purpose of business decisions making. Emphasis will be placed on explaining and justifying the use of statistical analysis in the context of critical reasoning in business problem solving. In addition, appropriate research methodologies and techniques (qualitative and quantitative) are elaborated as the strategy for an approach to business problem-solving. Statistical packages such as Excel and SPSS are used. Different data presentation techniques are also discussed.