Schools of Business/Management
 
Studying business in Australia offers prospective students an opportunity to learn in an environment that is uniquely placed between eastern and western cultures and economies. Australia is an incredible place to study: no matter what your focus or management career goals—you'll find a wealth of resources and a world of possibilities waiting for you.

Which program is for you

Choosing the right program is about identifying your career and professional goals and matching them with the best possible course of study.

Courses and qualifications

The MBA is an internationally recognised and interdisciplinary degree that provides students with both practical and theoretical knowledge of how people and processes operate within the business world and the wider environment affecting those organisations.

Australia's universities offer over 80 internationally recognised master of business administration (MBA) programs. Most courses are delivered over a period of one to two years of full-time study, longer for part-time.

As well as providing educational benefits, the MBA also offers access to worldwide networking opportunities, expanded personal skills and career enhancement. A good business program offers skills not ordinarily mastered on the job, such as financial, statistical and managerial economics.

An Australian MBA course will develop you as an individual, promoting your capacity to work as an effective team member, to lead others, and to be effective in interpersonal relationships through enhanced self-confidence, communication, presentation and negotiation skills.

Study modes

MBA's can be studied through a number of modes, including full-time, part-time, external or distance education, and mixed mode: a combination of external and on-campus study, usually involving face-to-face work through special intensive sessions of a week or more in duration. It should be noted that not all institutions will offer all attendance options.

Application dates vary from institution to institution. Some offer two intakes a year, with programs generally commencing in January and July, while others other a thri-semester year with intakes in February, July and November. A few offer four intakes per year.

Prices

Prices range widely, from A$15 000 to A$56 280* for international students. Fees vary due to differing course lengths and provider requirements.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary considerably, but generally they include some or all of the points below:
A bachelor degree from a recognised tertiary institution, several years management experience, plus good communication skills in both written and spoken English. Most courses require an IELTS or TOEFL qualification if English is not your first language.

Business schools may also require personal references, work experience and a personal statement.

The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is an aptitude test for applicants to business schools. It is, however, not mandatory for most institutions and is generally used as an optional extra or for those who do not meet other academic requirements.
Specialisations within the MBA

There are around 20 specialisations offered within the MBA, covering a diverse range of areas from international management and relations to Chinese language to maritime management, to name just a few. Specialist programs allow students to focus on their professional area, while learning the fundamentals of business and management. A further option is studying an MBA in combination with another masters program, for example, information technology or law. There are a number of management education providers that offer these MBA combined programs.

MBA Work Load

MBA programs have an extremely heavy workload, due to the amount of material covered. It is also designed to simulate the gruelling workload of a senior executive; ensuring students develop the effective time management skills they will need during their careers.

Alternatives to the MBA

The MBA has led to the invention of other programs; many devised because of a perceived gap in the market. Most obvious is the 'executive MBA' (EMBA) - a typically shorter, more intensive advancement course for senior managers who may lack the tertiary academic qualifications required for MBA entrance.

There are a number of other programs for managers, most at the masters level, including the master of management (MMngt) and the master of technology (MTech). These are aimed at people currently employed in, or seeking careers in, engineering, manufacturing and similar industries. Others, such as the master of entrepreneurship and innovation (MEI), are designed for people who intend to start new businesses or play a leading role in an innovative unit of an established organisation.

Beyond the MBA

Another development for professionals who have completed an MBA or equivalent is the doctor of business administration (DBA), the fourth and final step on a cumulative qualifications ladder. It is achieved partly through coursework study, but mainly by applied research.

An Australian MBA course will develop you as an individual, including your capacity to work as an effective team member, to lead others and be effective in interpersonal relationships.