By Jaqquline Lawrie, 10 November, 2026 | Associate Professor Char-lee McLennan and Professor Peter O'Connor, QUT Business School academics teaching into the Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation.
⏳ Read time: 9 minutes 6 seconds
In 2027, QUT Business School will welcome the first cohort of students into the new Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation, a postgraduate business course designed for professionals navigating a rapidly changing digital workplace.
If you've been wondering what the course is all about, what you'll learn, who it's designed for or whether it's the right fit for your career, you're in the right place. We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions below.
Jump to:
- What is the Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation?
- Who is this course designed for?
- Why study digital business and innovation now?
- Can I study the Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation online?
- What does online study look like?
- What makes this graduate certificate different from a traditional business qualification?
- Is this course suitable if I don't have a technology or IT background?
- Do I need a business background?
- Can I choose my units?
At a glance
| Study mode | In person or online |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 months full-time or 1 year part-time |
| Course structure | 4 units: 2 core units + 2 elective units |
| Designed for | Future-focused professionals across all industries and professions who want to build the skills to stay ahead of change and prepare for what’s next. |
| Further study | Pathways to the BS12 Master of Business or BS13 Master of Professional Accounting. |
What is the Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation?
It's the next evolution of QUT's graduate business qualification, designed to equip you with the skills organisations need today.
Drawing on QUT Business School's long history of delivering postgraduate business education, the course combines insights from leading academics and industry partners to help you build relevant, contemporary business skills.
Alongside the foundational business knowledge you'd expect, you'll develop practical capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI), digital business, innovation, data-informed decision-making and emerging technologies. You'll also learn the tools, methods and ways of working leading organisations use to navigate change and drive innovation.
QUT Director of Studies, Annetta Spathis, said all QUT business courses are developed in close consultation with industry.
“Industry engagement has always been an important part of how we develop our business courses at QUT,” she said.
“For this course, we took the opportunity to rethink what a contemporary postgraduate business qualification could look like.”
Who is this course designed for?
It’s designed for motivated professionals looking to upskill, stay ahead of emerging trends and excel in their careers.
Suitable for professionals across any industry, you'll gain practical knowledge, skills and tools you can apply immediately in your current role. You might learn a new business concept one day or explore how to use the latest AI tools, then apply what you’ve learned at work the very next day. You’ll start seeing growth in your role from day one.
Why study digital business and innovation now?
We’re already seeing a significant shift in the workplace with the rise of AI, automation and new digital technologies. In the next few years, there will be a dramatic shift in the skills employers look for as organisations continue to embrace digital transformation.
Professionals will need more than foundational business knowledge; they’ll need the skills and confidence to use AI and emerging technologies, interpret data, make evidence-based decisions and drive innovation.
Annetta said the curriculum was designed with these changing needs in mind.
“We wanted to bring together business knowledge with emerging technologies, innovation and evidence-based decision-making,” she said.
“The focus is on developing capabilities that help professionals respond to change and approach business challenges in new ways.”
Can I study the Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation online?
Yes. The Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation can be completed either online or on campus, giving you the flexibility to choose the study mode that best suits your circumstances.
Whether you're balancing work, family commitments or other priorities, you can access the same contemporary curriculum and develop the same practical capabilities in digital business, AI, innovation and data-informed decision-making.
What does online study look like?
For those choosing to study the Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation online, you can expect a flexible learning experience designed to fit around your professional and personal commitments.
You'll participate in weekly online tutorials and may also attend additional live sessions such as Q&As, peer discussions and assessment support workshops. These sessions provide opportunities to engage with academics and fellow students in real time.
Outside of scheduled sessions, you'll complete learning activities in your own time, giving you the flexibility to study when it suits you.
Regardless of study mode, each unit requires approximately 10 to 12 hours of engagement per week, making the course suitable for professionals balancing study with work and other commitments.
What makes this graduate certificate different from a traditional business qualification?
It’s the next evolution of a graduate business qualification. Co-designed with industry and leading academics, it combines foundational business knowledge with the digital capabilities organisations need today, including business research tools, emerging technologies, and generative, agentic and multimodal AI.
Annetta says it’s this contemporary approach to business education that sets the QUT Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation apart.
“What makes this course different is the way it integrates business and digital capabilities,” she said.
“Rather than treating AI and emerging technologies as separate subjects, we explore how they can inform business decisions, support innovation and be applied responsibly in professional practice.”
Is this course suitable if I don't have a technology or IT background?
Yes. In fact, it's designed for professionals from all industries, not just those with a technology or IT background.
The course focuses on helping you build practical digital business and AI capabilities that complement your existing professional expertise. Whether you work in marketing, finance, health, government, education or another industry, you'll learn how to confidently use emerging technologies to solve business problems, make better decisions and drive innovation.
Do I need a business background?
You don’t need a business background to study the Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation.
You’ll study alongside professionals from a range of industries and professions, bringing different perspectives and experiences to the classroom.
Whether you’re an established professional looking to upskill or a recent graduate looking to continue your studies, the course will help you build the capability to solve complex business problems, use evidence effectively and make an impact in your organisation.
Can I choose my units?
Yes. You’ll complete two core units that introduce key concepts and capabilities: Business and AI and Data-Driven Decision Making.
You’ll then choose another two units from a selection of options, giving you the opportunity to tailor part of your study to your interests and career goals.
If you’re considering further study, you can also choose from two streams that provide a pathway to extend your studies into the BS12 Master of Business or BS13 Master of Professional Accounting.
Ready to take the next step?
Find out more about the QUT Graduate Certificate in Digital Business and Innovation, including course details, entry requirements and how to apply.
