Master of Business Administration

What you will study

To complete the Master of Business Administration, you must complete 16 units or 200 credit points comprising:

• Four foundation units (50 credit points)
• Eight core units (100 credit points)
• Four units comprising specialisation units and/or elective units (50 credit points)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

Applicants are required to have completed one of the following:

• A bachelor's degree (or higher award) in any discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent.

Applicants with additional qualifications are eligible to enter the program with Advanced Standing and may be able to complete the program in less than two years.

1 year duration (full-time, or equivalent part-time)

Applicants who have completed one of the following may be able to complete the program in one year of full-time study (or equivalent part-time study):

• The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.
• An honours bachelor's degree in a related discipline.

1.5-year duration (full-time, or equivalent part-time)

Applicants who have completed one of the following may be able to complete the program in one and a half years of full-time study (or equivalent part-time study):

• A bachelor's degree in a related discipline.
• A graduate certificate in a related discipline.
• A bachelor's degree (or higher award) in any discipline and two years of relevant work experience.
• The Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to International applicants only), plus either a previous related discipline, Higher Education Study or at least two years of relevant work experience.

Relevant professional/managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate), concerning faculty-determined guiding principles. Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.

Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration and evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used as the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted.

English language requirements

All Swinburne students must be able to meet the English language requirements. Contact the university or visit its website.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the Master of Business Administration, graduates will be able to:

• Apply coherent and advanced knowledge of business concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking.
• Apply problem-solving, design and decision-making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence.
• Communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a team and use advanced tools and practices of business within project work.
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, professional accountability and a deep awareness of professional practices in a global and sustainable context.
• Apply business fundamentals to the analysis, design and operation of a business model using appropriate business methods and tools, which are applied in a variety of contexts.
• Reflect on and take responsibility for learning and self-management processes.
• Apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan and execute a piece of research with some independence.

Career outcomes

Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in today’s complex and changing business environment. The examples below demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.

• Middle manager to top manager
• Manager in both manufacturing and service firms
• Manager in private as well as public sectors
• Intrapreneur/entrepreneur
• Expatriate manager

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated yearly fee in 2025: $36,320 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated total fee in 2025: $72,640 (domestic full-fee paying place)

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply to units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.