Data Fundamentals for Business Decisions
UndergraduateLTU-BUS10032026
Course information for 2026 intake
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Enrol by
- 5 July 2026
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 13 July 2026
- Price from
- $592
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Data Fundamentals for Business Decisions
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Use appropriate software and statistical techniques to present business data to inform decision-marking.
- Apply statistical analysis and hypothesis testing techniques to economic, financial and business data to draw conclusions.
- Apply Excel proficiency using fundamental statistical methods to evaluate business problems.
- Introduction to Excel for Data Management
- Data Manipulation & Pivot Tables
- Advanced Visualisation & Dashboards
- Trend Analysis & Regression
- Business Problem Identification & Data Cleaning
- Advanced Analysis Tools
- Solution Development & Presentation
- Sampling & Probability Distributions
- Confidence Intervals & One Sample Hypothesis Tests
- Two Sample Tests, Chi square & Regression
- Statistical Reporting & Strategic Insights
- Review
This subject equips you with the skills to transform raw data into actionable insights that drive informed business decisions. You will learn key Excel functionalities crucial for data manipulation, analysis, and visualisation. The statistical component covers key concepts such as descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation), probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. Emphasis is placed on interpreting statistical outputs and applying findings to real-world business scenarios. You will gain skills in designing dashboards that summarise complex data sets for managerial review and strategic planning. Overall, you will be equipped with the foundational knowledge and skills to harness data as a strategic asset in driving business success.
- Foundations of Excel and Data Visualisation (400 word equiv) (10%)
- Effective data exploration, trend analysis and visualisation using Excel (600 word equiv) (15%)
- Create a data-driven solution to a business problem (1000 word equiv) (25%)
- Exam: Apply common statistical functions and hypothesis testing techniques to business data (2000 word equiv) (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 17
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 16
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.