University of New South Wales
AGSM Master of Business Administration (Policy Leadership)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Empowers leaders to bridge business insight with public policy vision, shaping strategies that influence systems, drive reform and create lasting societal change.
Course overview
The Master of Business Administration in Policy Leadership provides the opportunity to provide students of 8625 Business Administration (Part-time) (i.e. the 'MBAX') with the fundamental skills, knowledge and attributes required of C-suite executives, managers and leaders who wish to work as senior public administrators, public service executives and policy managers, or who wish to improve their effectiveness and leadership skills working within complex public policy governance systems.
The Australian Public Service needs to build its capability to adapt and transform to be ready for the big changes and challenges that the government will face in the foreseeable future. This includes building its professionalism and expertise, architecting future-oriented data and digital infrastructures, streamlining government organisations and nurturing collaborative partnerships needed to resolve society-wide problems.
This specialisation will help future public-sector leaders and those working with the public sector. It will develop the capability to influence and/or design robust policy, underpin policy by strong analysis and decision making and lead in complex and disrupted environments. Its focus is on guiding policy through and across multi-level and multiple stakeholder sectors.
Key facts
1st June, 2026
14th September, 2026
What you will study
To earn the AGSM Master of Business Administration (Policy Leadership), students must complete 72 units of credit or 12 courses. Each course is worth six units of credit.
Students must take 12 units of credit from the following courses:
- Leadership
- Strategy
Entry requirements
You will need to have one of the following:
- A recognised undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) and a minimum of two years professional or managerial work experience.
- At least six years professional work experience.
English language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets the university's requirements. Contact the university for further information. If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application.
You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses.
- Prior study in the medium of English.
- Other qualifications.
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have completed a study prior to enrolling at UNSW, you may be eligible for a credit transfer. If approved, you can earn credit towards your current degree and shorten the length of your studies.
Credit transfer is also known as 'advanced standing' or recognition for prior learning (RPL).
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Outcomes
- Business knowledge: Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and global business.
- Problem solving: Students will define and address business problems and propose effective evidence-based solutions through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.
- Business communication: Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.
- Teamwork: Students will interact and collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose or fulfil a common business project and reflect critically on the process and the outcomes.
- Responsible business practice: Students will develop and be committed to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.
- Global and cultural competence: Students will be aware of business systems in the wider world and actively committed to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others and will apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse environments.
- Leadership development: Students will develop the capacity to take initiative, encourage forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.
- Analyse the nature and dynamics of a range of policy systems using examples.
- Assess future needs in a policy area, articulate a process of continuous learning for those needs and describe a flexible leadership approach.
- Describe the features of best practice project/program governance and management, as well as provide examples of applying these skills in practice.
- Demonstrate a high-level understanding of the core ideas of network governance in complex policy systems using examples.
- Apply sound business practices in public sector settings, including demonstration of project governance, risk mitigation and stakeholder management principles in practice.
- Interrogate and analyse different data sources for reliability and validity as policy evidence, as well as demonstrate skills in data visualisation for political and policy decision-makers.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative first-year full fee in 2025: $45,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Indicative full fee to complete the degree in 2025: $68,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the university and may vary accordingly.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than one equivalent full-time student load (48 units of credit per year).
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.