What Types of Courses Does ICI Offer?

Updated

ICI (ici.net.au) is a distance education provider offering career-focused online courses across more than 50 categories. Its catalog ranges from short vocational courses and diplomas to postgraduate programs such as an MBA and a DBA. It suits people who want to enter a new field, upskill in their current one, or earn an industry-recognised qualification while studying remotely.

Course Categories at a Glance

ICI groups its courses into broad subject areas. Based on the site's course directory, the main categories are:

Category Example course areas
Business & Management Business, Marketing, Human Resources, Project Management, Retail Management, Frontline Management, Hospitality Management, Sports Management
Postgraduate study Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Design Fashion Design, Interior Design & Decoration, Graphic Design & Desktop Publishing, Jewellery Design, Floristry, Landscaping, Horticulture, Photography, Web Design
Events, Media & PR Wedding Planner, Events Management, PR, Journalism
Health & Fitness Counselling & Psychology, Personal Trainer, Massage, Nutritionist, Nursing Assistant, Medical Secretary, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Assistant
Education Teaching Assistant, Biblical Studies & Ministry, Nanny and Child Care, TESOL & TEFL
Law & Justice Paralegal, Mediation, Political Science, Private Investigator, Criminal Psychology, Criminal Justice & Criminology, Forensic Science
Animal Care Zoology, Pet Care & Veterinary Assistant, Equine & Horse Care
Beauty Beauty Therapy & Makeup, Hairdressing
Specialist business areas E-Commerce, Import Export (International Trade), Life Coaching, Advertising, PA & Executive Secretarial, Sales Training, Real Estate, Travel & Tourism, Catering & Cooking, Bookkeeping, Online Finance

Who Each Type of Course Is For

Short courses and vocational training

Courses such as Pet Care, Wedding Planner, or Teaching Assistant are aimed at people preparing for a specific role or starting a new career. They are the most direct route into an entry-level position or a side business.

Business and management courses

The business cluster (Marketing, HR, Project Management, Retail Management, and similar) is aimed at people already working who want to formalise their skills or move into a management role.

Postgraduate programs (MBA and DBA)

The MBA and DBA are for learners who already have professional experience and want a recognised postgraduate qualification. These sit at the top of ICI's qualification ladder and are the right choice only if you need a graduate-level credential rather than a practical skills course.

Creative and design courses

Design courses (Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Photography) suit people building a portfolio or a freelance practice. They are skills-oriented rather than academic.

How to Find the Right Course

  1. Go to the ICI website and open the Courses section.
  2. Browse the category list, which is organised by field (Business, Design, Health & Fitness, Law & Justice, and so on).
  3. Open a course page to check its content and level before enrolling.
  4. Use the site's contact options — the listed phone number or the chat function — if you need to confirm which course fits your goal.

Expected result: you should end up with one or two specific course pages that match your career target, rather than a general category.

Practical Points to Check Before Enrolling

  • Delivery mode: ICI describes its courses as distance learning, so confirm that the format (online study, self-paced) matches how you want to learn.
  • Qualification level: the catalog mixes short courses, diplomas, and postgraduate degrees. Check the level of the specific course, not just the category.
  • Recognition: ICI markets its qualifications as industry-recognised. If a licence or registration is required in your field (for example, some health or legal roles), verify the requirements with the relevant body before enrolling.
  • Cost and payment: pricing is not stated in the material reviewed here, so request current fees and payment options directly from ICI rather than assuming a price.

Common Pitfalls

  • Choosing a course by category name alone — two courses in the same category can differ widely in level and outcome.
  • Assuming a short course substitutes for a licensed qualification in regulated professions.
  • Overlooking the postgraduate options if you already hold a degree and need an advanced credential.

If your goal is a quick entry into a trade or service role, start with the short vocational courses. If you need a management or postgraduate credential, look at the business and MBA/DBA offerings first.