Graduate Certificate in Research Studies in Business

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Research Studies (Business) will have advanced theoretical and specialist knowledge in the principals and methods that underpin research within the field of business, equipping students with the research training and skills for further learning.

Graduates of this program will have advanced theoretical and specialist knowledge in the principals and methods that underpin research within this field of business, equipping students with the research training and skills for further learning.

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Research Studies in Business, a student must:

• hold a related undergraduate degree from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 5.0 (using a 7.0 point scale) over the last two years of the Bachelor degree*, OR
• hold a related Masters degree from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 5.0 (using a 7.0 point scale)*

* A student's two most recent years of study will be used to calculate the admission GPA.

English Proficiency Requirements

The minimum English Language proficiency requirements for applicants to Higher Degree Research (HDR) programs are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE
• OR a score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19
• OR a score of no less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old at the time of application.

Applicants should be aware that these test scores are the minimum scores required by Griffith University for most disciplinary areas and that some elements may require higher levels of proficiency.

An applicant may be exempted from the requirement to provide an ELP test score if the applicant's tertiary level studies were completed within the specified timeframe and in one of the countries listed in Schedule A: English Language Qualifications accepted by Griffith University for Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Higher Degree Research Admission.

An applicant may also be exempted from the requirement to provide an ELP test score if the applicant has completed at least two years full-time work experience in an English speaking professional work environment or has successfully completed the Griffith English Language Institute (GELI) Direct Entry Program (DEP) in accordance with the requirements as specified in Schedule A: English Language Qualifications accepted by Griffith University for Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Higher Degree Research Admission.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies. 

The Graduate Certificate in Research Studies in Business is a 40 credit point program that provides training in modern social science research methods. Upon successful completion of the program, students may be able to progress to the Graduate Diploma of Research Studies in Business.

The Griffith Business School will be responsible for the overall supervision of the student and monitoring their progress throughout the program.

Recommended Study Pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Research Design
• Quantitative Methods
• Qualitative Methods
• Industry Project

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Research Studies in Business (GCertResSt), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

• gain 40 credit points for specified coursework