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Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship

UNSW Business School
Join Australia’s #1 Business School
This degree is for domestic students only
Advance your entrepreneurial career and launch a startup. Learn how to build your network, pitch to investors and develop critical founder skills to take your ideas to market. Join UNSW Founders, a leading entrepreneurial program that has launched 109 startups and raised over $155 million in investment capital since 2017.
Commencing Terms
Term 2
Duration
1 year F/T
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Campus
Kensington
Codes
Program code 5405
CRICOS code -
Entry Requirements
View all admission criteria
Fees
2024 Indicative first year full fee
$12,500*
$12,500*
UNSW postgraduate students

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship provides a unique pathway for graduates with aspirations to build, launch and grow their ideas. It is a practical and immersive learning journey where you can refine your entrepreneurial skills, gain hands-on experience, and transform your innovative ideas into impactful solutions. Through the term-based structure, you'll have the opportunity to delve deeply into various aspects of entrepreneurship, fostering comprehensive growth and development throughout the 1 year program.

Key features

In the span of a year you’ll achieve significant milestones and accomplishments towards your startup’s future. Here's what you can expect from this transformative program:

  • Developing Founders Skills & Mindset: Engage in a bespoke incubator program designed to enhance your business acumen, entrepreneurial capabilities, and leadership skills.
  • Building Connections: Build valuable relationships with a network of founders, mentors and industry professionals.
  • Access to Resources: Get access to world-class Makerspace facilities and ongoing coaching support.
  • Pitching to Investors: At the end of the program, you will have an exclusive opportunity to pitch your startup to our angel investors community.
  • Study with Australia’s most successful startup factory, ranked #1 for producing startups that have raised over $10 million.*

*AFR Boss Best Business School 2023

 

Why study this degree at UNSW?

Taught in collaboration with UNSW Founders & AGSM @ UNSW Business School, his program is supported by the Australian Government’s Startup-HELP initiative, allowing you to access fee support while you study.

UNSW Founders is Australia’s leading university-based entrepreneurial program, dedicated to supporting founders at all levels of experience to pursue entrepreneurial careers and launch startups.

Since its inception in 2017, the program has supported over 1,000 startups, provided entrepreneurial skills training through workshops and masterclasses to over 20,000 individuals, and launched 109 startups through the 10x Accelerator programs. Collectively, the UNSW Founders alumni have raised over $155+ million of investment capital, created 500+ jobs, and hold a total enterprise value of over $740+ million.

 

Program Code
5405
Campus
Kensington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
48

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Entry requirements

To be eligible for the UNSW Startup Year Program, you must have:

  • Completed a recognised degree from an accredited higher education provider in Australia
  • Achieved a Credit average (65% or higher) in your degree
  • Be able to participate full time in the year-long program.
  • Demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship and a desire to create or join a startup venture.
  • Be a Domestic Student

Note: Meeting the above entry requirements does not guarantee you will be offered a place in this program.

As well as the above, you will be required to submit a 3 minute motivational video as a part of your application.  Applications and motivation videos will be screened. Applicants who are successful in the first phase will be invited to an online interview in the second phase of the selection process.

English language requirements

 

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

To be eligible for the UNSW Startup Year Program, you must have:

  • Completed a recognised degree from an accredited higher education provider in Australia
  • Achieved a Credit average (65% or higher) in your degree
  • Be able to participate full time in the year-long program.
  • Demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship and a desire to create or join a startup venture.
  • Be a Domestic Student

Note: Meeting the above entry requirements does not guarantee you will be offered a place in this program.

As well as the above, you will be required to submit a 3 minute motivational video as a part of your application.  Applications and motivation videos will be screened. Applicants who are successful in the first phase will be invited to an online interview in the second phase of the selection process.

English language requirements


You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Program structure

The Graduate Diploma in Entreprenuership offers a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. You will learn about:

  • Problem & Idea Validation
  • Customer Discovery and Acquisition
  • Business Modelling and Strategy
  • Iterative Product Design, Development and Innovation
  • Entrepreneurial Finance and Legal requirements
  • Industry Experience via Industry Placement in a Startup company

Full program structure

This year long program will take your Startup from ideation through to launch through UNSW’s three-term academic calendar. Beginning in Term 2, you’ll undertake a combination of theory and practical based courses, each worth 6 units of credit (UOC). In your final term of study (UNSW Term 1), you’ll undertake a capstone project centred around launching your start up, worth 12 UOC.

Program Structure

Term 2

  • Identifying Opportunities
  • Business Model & Learn Startup Methodologies
  • Startup Placement

Term 3

  • Prototyping Design Solutions
  • Startup 360
  • Industry Projects in the Startup Ecosystem

Term 1

  • Capstone Project – Launching Your Startup

Future careers

This program has been designed for budding entrepreneurs who are seeking to build, launch and grow startups.

Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship program (Startup Year) with credit average (65) or above may be eligible for credits for up to three courses* into the Master of Business Administration (MBA), offered by AGSM @ UNSW Business School.

*Entry into AGSM MBA programs is subject to meeting the AGSM Admissions Criteria

UNSW Business School students have access to Career Accelerator, a suite of professional development opportunities including:  

How to apply

After submitting an application via UNSW Online, you will be invited to:

  • Submit a lean canvas and 3-minutes motivation video outlining your startup idea and goal with the UNSW Startup Year Program.
  • Provide relevant academic transcripts and any additional documentation requested by the UNSW admission team.
  • Participate in a selection process, which may include interviews, presentations, or other assessment methods.

Ready to start your application?

For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.

Ready to start your application?

Fees & Scholarships

This program is supported by the Australian Government’s Startup Year initiative, designed to boost entrepreneurial ventures in Australia. Once accepted into the program, you may be eligible to access STARTUP-HELP. For more information, visit https://www.studyassist.gov.au/help-loans/startup-help

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$12,500*
2024 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$12,500*

*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.

Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).

You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.

Scholarships


At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.


Top 20
Worldwide

QS World University Rankings, 2024.

Most
Employable Graduates

AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.

Leading
Innovation

#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

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