Associate Degree in Applied Business (Business Improvement)

Graduation from the Associate Degree in Applied Business (Business Improvement) can provide an entry opportunity for those who have not worked in business settings, accelerate progression through a graduate's present organisation, or open up new career paths and opportunities. It will also provide substantial credit into the Bachelor of Business. This course provides graduates with paraprofessional level of business knowledge and practice applicable across industries. The career options of graduates may also be influenced by their chosen specialisation. A graduate's chosen specialisation might lead them to paraprofessional-level roles within that industry.

New to Applied Business and never worked in the industry before?

For those graduates new to Applied Business, this qualification could assist you to gain roles such as trainee positions with managers, team leaders, field officers, and researchers.

Already working and want to fast track or leverage off past experience?

For those graduates already working in Business, an Applied Business qualification may enable you to progress from assistant positions to managerial roles, lead a small team, become specialists, salespersons and liaise better with suppliers or customers.

Potential types of employers:

• Small and medium businesses;
• Accountancy firms;
• Financial services;
• Event organisations;
• Sport organisations;
• Tourism organisations;
• Health and well-being consultants;
• Non-for-profit organisations; and
• Project management companies.

Higher education via OUA

Successful completion of any 4 OUA open access subjects of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.

Higher education

Domestic Applicants with higher education study - Completed at least one undergraduate subject (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points) within an equivalent AQF Level course or higher.

Secondary education

Completed the TCE (or equivalent).

VET studies

Successful completion of Certificate III or higher.

Work and Life

Domestic Applicants with work and life experience: If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have extensive or sustained work experience.

The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here. https://www.utas.edu.au/study/apply/admission-requirements/recognition-of-prior-learning

The Associate Degree in Applied Business (Business Improvement) is for future leaders and managers who want to learn the knowledge and skills required to make it in the modern business world. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an assistant manager looking to step up to the next level, this program is a great stepping stone to a new or accelerated career.

The program combines core business subjects covering areas such as management, finance, marketing, human resources, project management, entrepreneurial and innovative thinking, and business planning with a choice of streams and electives in students’ areas of interest. The course content has been developed in consultation with industry experts and they are actively involved in its delivery.

The first year serves as a foundation year, where you will learn the skills to apply your new business knowledge to a range of situations. In the second year, you’ll be extended to supervisory level as a practitioner.

A key feature of the course is the focus on hands-on learning, where you will develop knowledge and skills through experiential education opportunities such as industry placements, fieldwork, case studies and data-driven decision making. This aims to enhance students’ problem solving, communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills by assisting you to ‘learn through practice’. It has been designed to make university study a little less daunting, and a lot more practical.

Recommended Study Pattern

For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended. If students are undertaking part-time study, we recommend that students complete all first year compulsory subjects prior to completing elective subjects to maximise success.

Year 1. 8 subjects in first year including:

• 6 compulsory subjects:
  • TAS-ZAA131 Applied Business Foundations
  • TAS-ZAA132 Managing People
  • TAS-ZAA133 Financial Decision Making
  • TAS-ZAA134 Business Marketing
  • TAS-ZAA140 Lean Thinking
  • A choice of:
    • TAS-ZAA135 Professional Communication
    • TAS-ZAA146 Managing Contracts
• 2 UTAS electives

Year 2. 8 subjects in second year including:

• 6 compulsory subjects:
  • TAS-ZAA232 Business Planning and Decision Making
  • TAS-ZAA233 Managing Projects
  • TAS-ZAA234 Entrepreneurial and Innovative Thinking
  • TAS-ZAA247 Leading People
  • TAS-ZAS231 Quality Management
  • A choice of :
    • TAS-ZAA236 Managing Events
    • TAS-ZAA254 Supply Chain and Logistics Management
• 2 UTAS electives

Award Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 16 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 2-5 years from commencement.

Exit Points

Students will be permitted to exit the course and graduate with the Diploma of Applied Business and Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Business exit award where the requirements of the exit award have been met.