Now, they are reaping the rewards with the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics celebrating the first cohort of students to complete its Accelerated Bachelor of Business on Friday.

Among them was Michelle Lutan (pictured) who moved to Launceston in 2019 to further her education and career goals. While engineering had been the 20-year-old's initial career of choice, she said graphic design was a rewarding hobby that quickly grew into a side hustle she was keen to pursue.

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"I began freelancing and was able to build a portfolio, so I wanted to do a degree that would allow me to continue graphic design and decided marketing and business would go hand-in-hand," she said.

"The location of the accelerated business degree in the CBD was really accessible for my circumstances. I don't drive, so it was easy for me to study centrally then walk to work afterwards.

"The course helped me prepare for the workplace through assignments which involved presenting, group work, and lots of opportunities to meet and hear from industry professionals from across Launceston."

Launched in 2019, the fast-tracked course can be undertaken in as little as two years. TSBE executive dean Stuart Crispin said the course was a testament to the region's strengths as a thriving entrepreneurial centre, with a vibrant business community at its heart.

"It provides students with unique learning experiences and opportunities that connect them with local professionals, allows them to study in a simulated workplace environment, and supports them in becoming job-ready," he said.

Launceston pro vice-chancellor Dom Geraghty said the course had been the catalyst for the university's new style of offering, driven by the Northern Transformation Program.

"This degree was developed in partnership with industry through our commitment to offer more regionally-distinctive courses that leverage local strengths, and help prepare and position students to make rich contributions to their communities," he said.

"We teach nurses and doctors in hospitals, and teachers in schools, so teaching business in the CBD makes perfect sense."

The next intake for the course will be in May 2021 - visit utas.edu.au/.

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