Diploma of Business
Your first step to the #1 Business School in Australia.
What is a Diploma?
A UNSW College Diploma of Business is your direct pathway to UNSW Sydney, Australia’s most employable university.
In just 12 months, you’ll gain the skills, confidence, and knowledge to step into the second year of a UNSW Business degree. With smaller classes, personalised support, and a focused curriculum, the Diploma ensures you’re ready to thrive in specialisations like marketing, management, and finance.
Set the foundation for your future in business with a qualification that leads to a world-class education.
Intakes
May
Duration
12 months (3 terms)
Weekly class time
Approximately 20-25 hours
Progression
Second Year, Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW Sydney
Delivery mode
On-campus
Your journey with a Diploma program
- Overview
- Progress to UNSW Sydney
- Program structure
- Entry requirements
- Key dates
- Fees & payment options
Who is this program for?
Our Diplomas are specially designed for students who narrowly missed direct entry to UNSW Sydney, offering a supportive and focused pathway to academic success and university life, with:
First-year equivalence: Your Diploma mirrors UNSW’s first-year degree curriculum and is fully recognised by UNSW. It’s developed in collaboration with UNSW, with access to the same world-renowned facilities and resources as undergraduate students.
Personalised attention: Small class sizes (around 20 students) and up to 20% more teaching time than first year at UNSW mean more focused support.
Tailored support: Access to weekly one-on-one tutor sessions, interactive study clubs, leadership development opportunities, and wellbeing programs - all designed to provide a strong foundation for success and help you thrive.
With an innovative First Year curriculum, you will learn how to recognise and analyse current global business challenges and opportunities. Then you will be ready to confidently choose a major from the range of core business disciplines available as you progress into a UNSW degree. You can focus on data, people or global markets.
Why study Business at UNSW Sydney?
Manage people, drive change, and build lifelong career connections by studying business at a global top 20 university.*
UNSW Business School is globally recognised for excellence in business education and research, ranked among the best in the world. With innovative programs in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and more, the school equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in a fast-evolving global economy.
Immerse yourself in a vibrant student life with access to diverse clubs and societies, exclusive career opportunities through Career Accelerator, and learning experiences guided by leading academics and industry experts.
With the Bachelor of Commerce, you’ll choose from a range of industry-relevant majors and graduate ready to take on the business world with confidence.
*QS World University Rankings, 2025.
Career opportunities
Accountant
Algorithmic Trader
Brand Manager
Business Analyst
Business Development Manager
Data Specialist
Entrepreneur
Financial Adviser
Fintech Project Manager
HR Executive
Investment Banker
Management Consultant
Policy Advisor
Quantitative Analyst
Social Media Manager
Start-up Founder
Statistical Analyst
Strategist
Your future at UNSW Sydney
Once you successfully complete a Diploma (and meet the entry requirements), you will progress directly to second year of your chosen degree at UNSW Sydney.
The Diploma of Business is designed to provide you with a pathway straight into second year of a Bachelor of Commerce where you will have the option to choose a degree major from the following:
Bachelor of Commerce majors
Accounting
Behavioural Economics
Business Analytics
Business Economics
Business Sustainability and Social Impact
Cybersecurity Management
Finance
FinTech
Human Resource Management
Information Systems
Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship
International Business
Marketing
Marketing Analytics
Taxation
Note: Diploma of Business students must achieve a pass for all courses (with an overall average of 60%), to progress to second year of the Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW. If you wish to study a major not on this list, you may be eligible to receive credit for subjects that are common.
Top 20 worldwide
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
#1 Business School in Australia
UNSW Business School has been named the AFR BOSS Best Business School for 2024 for the third consecutive year
Most Employable Graduates
Voted as having the most employable students at the AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024
Program structure
Diploma of Business students learn the fundamentals before specialising and focusing on their future studies at UNSW Sydney. With first-year equivalent subject content and equal learning outcomes, you will enter the second year of your degree fully prepared and on equal footing with your peers.
For more information on each major, see below.
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What is accounting?
Accounting is not just about crunching numbers. Accountants seek to improve the economic wealth and welfare of shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, governments and the community with their business recommendations. This major allows you to learn to advise on business performance by identifying, analysing and communicating relevant financial and non-financial decisions.
Accounting Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is behavioural economics?
Behavioural economics is the subfield of economics that applies insights about human decision-making as it departs from classical economic models to individual choices and business and policy scenarios. Behavioural economists are employed in consultancies, governments, and corporations worldwide to understand, model, and predict choices in complex settings. The increasing real-world relevance of behavioural economics is exemplified in the creation of BETA (Behavioural Economics Team in Australia) teams at the Commonwealth and state levels in Australia and similar teams in governments overseas. In this major you will take specific experimental and behavioural courses, and (optionally) courses drawn from other related disciplines, to craft a program of study to suit the applications of most interest to you.
Behavioural economics Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is business analytics?
A major in business analytics enables you to become business problem solver and a key aspect of the decision-making process. You will be equipped with the skills needed to produce and communicate actionable findings and insights from organisational data through descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics. Along with statistical modelling, programming and database management, this major has an emphasis on the ethical and legal issues of data governance, giving graduates a holistic framework to span the bridge between business problem owners and technical experts.
Business analytics Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is business economics?
Business economists study the cause and effect of unemployment and inflation, economic growth and development, income inequality, public policy, and environmental management. Collecting and calibrating data, economists make recommendations to Commonwealth and state government departments, international organisations (such as OECD), or the private sector.
Business economics Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is business sustainability and social impact?
Studying sustainability and social impact is your chance to be the change you want to see in the world. You'll gain the understanding and real-world experience to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, communities and the environment by driving change through business initiatives.
You'll build skills and knowledge in social entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and governance, enhancing your understanding of the dynamics of the social economy. You’ll be equipped to leverage business as a powerful tool to make a positive impact. And you’ll learn how businesses, social enterprises, government, foundations and community organisations can work together.
Business sustainability and social impact Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
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What is cybersecurity management?
Cybersecurity Management is designed for undergraduate students in the Business School who are interested in developing a deep understanding of the key principles and practices of cybersecurity management. This major provides students with a broad range of skills and knowledge necessary to address the complex challenges facing organisations in today's rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Cybersecurity management Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is finance?
Finance students study the financial and capital markets as well as working with global banks, multinational corporations or the stock exchange in a career as rewarding as it is challenging. Finance can be a high risk, high reward industry requiring decisive strategy in the face of uncertainty. Determining the value of assets, and making investment and corporate financing decisions, requires sound and confident risk-hedging strategies.
Finance Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is financial technology?
Financial technology (fintech) is used to create, enhance and disrupt financial services, from peer-to-peer lending and robo-advice to decentralised finance, such as Bitcoin. By identifying the demands of industry, fintech sits at the forefront of industry needs, developing highly employable graduates. Over the past few years this field attracted large specialised industry conferences and dedicated sessions in top academic finance conferences. This major is a great way to get in at the ground floor of this industry.
Financial technology Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is human resource management?
Human resource management explores the business of people. Staff are a company's most valuable asset, making the human resources manager a critical position in any public or private organisation. A human resource management major you will develop strategic thinking in employee engagement, employment relations, organisational change, staff learning and development, health and safety, organisational behaviour, and performance management.
Human resource management Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is information systems?
The information systems major is tailored to students who are interested in business and management aspects of the discipline. As an information systems innovator, you will shape the technology that fuels this economy. Information systems graduates work with social media, business databases, business intelligence systems, networks and infrastructure to support business operations.
Information systems Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is innovation, strategy & entrepreneurship?
Innovation profoundly impacts and transforms business and society. It drives productivity, competitive advantage, differentiation, growth, profitability and sustainability. The innovation, strategy & entrepreneurship major is designed to help you meet the challenges of innovation with tangible leadership skills that you can use to make a difference and shape the future of organisations. In this major, you will learn how to uncover new opportunities, discover actionable insights for innovation, and design strategies for business models that create, capture and deliver value. You will enhance your entrepreneurship skills through the practice of experimentation, persistence, resilience, management and leadership.
Innovation, strategy & entrepreneurship Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is international business?
International business is a rapidly growing field of study dealing with the development, strategy and management of multinational enterprises. In International business you will learn to skilfully manoeuvre through the complex world of highly competitive international markets. You will master the art of managing multinationals as you craft strategies that consider the economic, social, legal, political and cultural contexts of global business. The international business major will prepare you for a career managing the operations of the world’s largest international enterprises.
International business Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is marketing?
Marketing is essential to every business in today’s highly competitive marketplace. It is a dynamic function aimed at creating differentiation and competitive advantage for a company. The marketer’s role is to identify and understand the needs and wants of consumers; determine which sections of a market the business will target; design appropriate products, services and programs; develop communication to promote and publicise the goods and or services of a business; and determine the most effective way to deliver the offerings.
Marketing Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is marketing analytics?
Marketing analytics is the practice of collecting, managing, and analysing consumer and performance data to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of marketing decisions. The Marketing Analytics major at UNSW focuses on the emerging needs of data-driven decision making for marketing optimisation and equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to collect and analyse consumer data to make informed marketing decisions.
Marketing analytics Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
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What is taxation?
A major in taxation delves into the intricate system of legislation and policy that requires highly shrewd business professionals to navigate its complexity. Every individual, private enterprise and government agency interacts with the taxation system, making tax experts highly sought after in every aspect of our economy.
Taxation Diploma subjects
View an example of the subjects you will be studying in your First Year at UNSW College below.
- Business Decision Making
- Evidence Based Problem Solving
- Collaboration and Innovation in Business
- Financial Management
- Global Business Environments
- Organisational Resources
- Value Creation
- Data, Insights and Decisions
- Communication & Academic Literacy (CAL)
Academic calendars
The academic calendar consists of important dates throughout your study period such as Orientation, census dates, study weeks, exam weeks and breaks for your program or course of study.
| Orientation | Start of Week One | Census | Finish | Start at UNSW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-May-25 | 12-May-25 | 6-Jun-25 | 1-May-26 |
Term 2 - 01 Jun 2026 |
Why study with UNSW College?
Be part of a global top 20 university
Successfully complete a Diploma and progress directly to the second year of your dream degree at UNSW Sydney, like 90% of our graduates.
Your proven pathway to success
With over 50 years of experience, UNSW College has guided 40,000+ graduates to university and beyond.
Unmatched support
Full 360° wrap-around support across academics, accommodation, health and wellbeing, welfare and disability, and more.
"UNSW College gave me the chance to pursue my goals when I didn’t get the marks I expected. The support from teachers and the smaller classes made all the difference, helping me feel confident and well-prepared."
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Diploma & Foundation Studies
UNSW Global Pty Limited ABN 62 086 418 582 trading as UNSW College™ currently delivers Diplomas and Foundation Studies on behalf of UNSW Sydney - CRICOS Provider Code 00098G; UNSW Sydney TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12055 (Australian University).
From 26 August 2024, UNSW College™ will commence delivery of Diplomas under its own CRICOS Provider Code - 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
From 13 January 2025, UNSW College™ will commence delivery of Foundation Studies under its own CRICOS Provider Code - 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
Pre-Masters Program & Academic English
UNSW College™ delivers the Pre-Masters Program and Academic English programs under CRICOS Provider Code 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
See https://unswcollege.edu.au/esos for more information. © 2024 UNSW Global Pty Limited.