Master of Business Administration

What you will study

To complete the Master of Business Administration, you must complete 16 units. It consists of four foundation units, eight core units and four units compromising one specialisation or four elective units.

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.
• The Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to international applicants only).

Applicants who have 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 have two years of relevant work experience.*
• The Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to International applicants only), plus either previous related discipline Higher Education Study or a minimum of two years of relevant work experience.

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

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

English language requirements

All Swinburne students must be able to meet the English language requirements. You’ll be able to provide evidence of your English language skill if you have one of the following:

• Completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or another type of secondary qualification taught in English.
• Completed some types of university or vocational education studies (tertiary studies).
• Completed an English language test, such as TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson or C1.
• Completed an English language (ELICOS) course.
• Lived and worked in an English-speaking country for at least four years (domestic applicants only).

These requirements vary for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students, depending on your chosen course.

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

Career outcomes

Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in a today’s complex and changing business environment. The below examples 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

Learning outcomes

• 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, 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.

Fees and FEE-HELP

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

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for 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 annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• 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.

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 with the cost of a university course.