This degree is no longer offered. You may be interested in other courses in MBA Online
Master of Business Administration
PostgraduateACU-MBA-MAS2021
Course information for 2021 intake
Become an ethical leader in the global business marketplace
Advance your career with this postgraduate qualification to become a recognised and well-rounded management professional. Choose a management specialisation or take a general management approach, all the while considering ethics and sustainability.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 12
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Business Administration
About this degree
Graduates of a Master of Business Administration should be able to:
- Demonstrate the generic knowledge and principles of a broad range of management disciplines required to commence or advance a career in management in the context of the local and global economic and social environments
- Apply theoretical knowledge to solving defined business problems taking into consideration ethical insights including the impact of management decision making on workplace wellbeing, impact of business decisions on the economic wellbeing of marginalised groups in society and the role of business on the stewardship of resources
- Analyse, synthesise and communicate business and management-related issues, problems and solutions for the benefit of business, consumers and society at an operational level
- Apply twenty-first century literacies appropriately based on the knowledge of current communications technologies, practices and engagement with diverse groups in society and the understanding of fundamental principles of communication technologies to ensure ongoing self- development and lifelong learning as technologies and associated literacies progress.
This degree is designed for early to mid-career managers who seek to enhance their employment opportunities. The degree provides a comprehensive overview of key management functional areas with the option of undertaking four electives in either general management or a management specialisation. The general management specialisation is designed to meet the accreditation requirements of the Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML) and provide international recognition through the Chartered Institute of Managers (UK). The degree provides opportunities for students to engage in real world work activities through applied business projects and optional internship opportunities. The degree embraces the importance of ethical and sustainable decision making from an international perspective. Career opportunities for successful students include openings in the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors.
Recommended study pattern
It is recommended that students complete the 8 core subjects before commencing the electives.
Award requirements
To qualify for the Master of Business Administration, students must successfully complete 8 core subjects and 4 elective subjects.
Choose your subjects
Electives
Students are required to study 4 elective subjects. Students can choose to study the 4 electives subjects provided in the General Management stream or any 4 Postgraduate single subjects offered via OUA.
Students with appropriate prior postgraduate study may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning for their electives.
Exit points
MBA students who have completed the requirements prescribed for the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration or the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration may exit from the course with the relevant award by arrangement with the Course Coordinator.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
ACU graduation ceremonies are held in the Autumn and Spring. Students need to submit an Online Application to Course Complete during their final unit.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $41,000
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about ACU.
Explore ACU courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 34
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 29
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
To apply for the Master of Business Administration, applicants must have:
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline and 2 years post-graduation full time (or FTE) work experience; or
- Graduate Certificate in any discipline and a minimum of 2 years full time work experience
A minimum of 5 years’ full-time work experience outlined in a portfolio demonstrating knowledge, experience and skills suitable to the level required for participation in the program.
Students must meet one of the following English Language Proficiency Requirements:
- IELTS: Overall score: 6.5; Individual score of 6.0 in all tests
- PTE: 61 with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills
- TOEFL: Internet based total of 90: minimum 25 writing
- ACU English Language Test: B (65-74%)
- CAE: Overall CAE of 176; Minimum individual score of 169 in all tests
RPL or credit may be granted according to ACU policies. Students with appropriate prior postgraduate study may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning for their electives. Applicants are advised to contact the degree administrator.
Career opportunities
Students who complete a Master of Business Administration are employed in a wide range of roles and across the private, public and not for profit sectors. Typical roles include:
- General manager/CEO;
- Health services manager;
- Management analyst;
- School/college manager;
- Management consultant; and
- Business owner/entrepreneur.
- Management consultant; and
- Business owner/entrepreneur.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Chief Executives and Managing Directors | N/A^ | Up 10.8% |
Corporate General Managers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
General Managers | N/A^ | Up 59.7% |
Management Consultants | N/A^ | N/A^ |
^ There is no data available
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.