Frequently asked questions

Our "Which Course" tool is designed to help you choose the course that is right for you. You may find that you have enough experience to move straight into postgraduate studies.

Students who are completing degrees can lodge their applications prior to completion of course but evidence of completion must be provided prior to enrolment. Entry requirements for postgraduate courses vary from course to course.

Advanced standing is assessed on an individual basis and is only granted for previous equivalent studies undertaken at a postgraduate level. Contact our postgraduate student advisors for more information.

Distance Education (otherwise known as external studies, correspondence studies) is offered for students who for practical reasons (such as remote locations, personal constraints, certain disabilities or medical conditions) need an alternative to studying on-campus. See Distance education courses for more information. Please note that distance education is available to Australian Residents only.

You do not have to undertake study each semester. If you have to take leave due to personal or leave commitments, you can apply for Leave of Absence and discuss this with your Course Coordinator or Divisional Student Adviser. This option is available to Australian Residents only. Leave of Absence can only be granted if you have completed at least one semester of studies towards your degree. Once you are enrolled in a unit you are expected to meet the attendance requirements of that unit, usually described in the Unit Outline or by the lecturer at the first class.

We offer several postgraduate courses fully online including an online Master in Business Administration. Curtin Business School also utilises aspects of the internet in its teaching. Many academics extend the class room by providing convenient access to lecture materials, course information and self assessment tools. Other facilities include access to internet-based resources, discussion boards and email.

Our Graduate Certificate courses are comprised of four units and can be completed in one semester full time or the equivalent part time. Graduate Certificate courses are designed for individuals wanting to develop skills in a specialised area. Some are designed for non-graduates and may provide a basis for continuing postgraduate study. See Courses for the full range of Graduate Certificates available.

To apply for a position in a postgraduate course, you need to complete an application and submit it together with certified academic transcripts of previous studies. If your application is successful, you will be made an offer. If you accept the offer, you will be then be sent enrolment information. Find out more about the application process.

Postgraduate students have the choice of studying either full-time or part-time. Most postgraduate units have evening classes to accommodate our part-time students. A student is considered to be studying full-time when they are studying at least 75 credit points per semester. An average unit counts for 25 credit points so a full-time study load would be three units a semester. Students studying less then 75 credit points are considered part-time. Please note that part-time study mode is only available to Australian Residents.

The path you take for your postgraduate study program will depend on your existing tertiary qualifications and work experience, and on what you aim to achieve through your study program. At Curtin Business School we offer Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma and Master courses. The courses range from the Graduate Certificate, designed for non-graduates or people interested in learning new skills, through to our Master programs, designed to provide an in-depth knowledge and expertise in an area of specialisation. The courses range in duration from one semester full time to two years full time, or the equivalent on a part time basis. See Postgraduate study for more information.

Entry requirements for our courses are based on the level of tertiary qualifications and / or relevant work experience. Requirements vary between the types of postgraduate courses. See individual courses for more details.

The Curtin Graduate School of Business which runs the MBA, operates on a Trimester basis. This means that there are three terms of study each year. Other schools within Curtin Business School and the wider Curtin University operate on a Semester basis, ie, two terms of study each year. Be aware however that there is an overlap between trimesters and semesters. Units offered over a trimester and semester provide the same contact hours.

Application refers to activities that pre-empt receiving an offer from the University (filling in and submitting an admission application form). Enrolment refers to activities undertaken after you have been offered a position at the University. Visit our how to apply page for more information.

You can apply for a postgraduate course at any time during the year. You also don't need to begin your study at the start of any year, for example, you could choose to begin study in Semester 2. There are different application deadlines depending on whether you are choosing to study a course through the Curtin Graduate School of Business or through the Bentley campus. See How to apply for more information.

Curtin Business School is located on the Bentley campus and the Curtin Graduate School of Business is located in Murray Street in the Perth city centre.