• Program summary
• Program overview
• Admission requirements
• Advanced standing
• Program structure
• Course schedule 
• Recommended enrolment pattern 
• Intakes - when to apply
• Scholarships
• Program requirements and notes 
• Enquiries

Program summary

Program title: Master of Business Administration
Award abbreviation: MBA
Degree type: coursework
Modes of study: on campus, online
Duration: 1 year minimum full-time; 6 years maximum part-time.
Commence: Session 2, Session 5 or Session 9
Fee type 2010: postgraduate coursework places, online postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 24
USC program code: BU710
CRICOS code: 066777E

Program overview

The MBA has become the international standard for graduate business qualifications. It is a generalist degree intended for those who wish to widen their managerial knowledge and skills in preparation for senior management roles. The program aims to develop managerial skills in critical thinking, research and analysis through individual and team based work.

This program offers the following features:

• innovative and flexible approaches to learning, eg online learning
• the opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills across functions and disciplines
• focus on the application of theory and execution of practice
• teaching by highly qualified and experienced academic staff
• links theory and application to current business issues
• network-building opportunities

Admission requirements

To be considered for admission candidates must:

1. possess an undergraduate degree with a GPA of at least 4.5 (on a 7-point scale)
2. have at least two years relevant full-time equivalent work experience; and
3. must achieve at least 5 points from the points tables below, with those points gained in at least two of the three categories:
   1. prior work experience 
   2. academic achievement 
   3. graduate management admissions test

Exceptional applicants who do not possess a Bachelor degree will be required to complete a GMAT or Business Select Entrance Test plus an interview. Successful completion of either entrance qualification and interview may allow the candidate to be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (GCBusAdmin). Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration with a GPA of 4 or greater (on a 7-point scale) will qualify the candidate for entry into the MBA.

Points table – Applicable for entry requirements and scholarship eligibility

Prior work experience

Candidates must have at least two years relevant full-time equivalent work experience. An additional point may be awarded for substantial managerial work experience with a multinational firm. Applicants will need to provide certified documentary evidence of prior employment experience.

Prior academic achievement (ie undergraduate GPA)

Prior academic study at the bachelor level can be in any field at any recognised tertiary institution. Points awarded are based on the candidate’s grade point average (GPA) from their undergraduate degree based on USC's 7-point scale or equivalent.

Applicants who have not completed a recognised bachelor degree may be considered for admission based on their prior work experience and GMAT test score but entrance without a prior degree is limited to 10 percent of the entire enrolment.

Graduate Management Admissions Test

USC needs to see a certified copy of GMAT results.

Note: At the discretion of the Dean, Faculty of Business, one additional point may be awarded for each of the following:

1. Masters degree
2. PhD/DBA
3. Substantial managerial experience with a multi-national firm

English language proficiency

International applicants must meet one of the following English language proficiency levels for entry to the MBA program:

Applicants who do not meet the language requirement outlines above may be offered a USC English Language pathway program to the MBA.

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Credit transfer or recognition of prior learning

Students with an undergraduate degree

No credit transfer or recognition of prior learning will be granted to students with an undergraduate qualification.

Students with postgraduate qualifications

Students who have completed postgraduate courses elsewhere may apply for advanced standing up to a maximum of 50 percent for the Master of Business Administration, Graduate Certificate in Business Administration and the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. The content of the courses would need to overlap the University of the Sunshine Coast course content by at least 75 percent.

Program structure **

At the heart of the new MBA are 16 core subjects that cover the fundamental areas of business administration. The subjects include the key functional areas of an organisation, with the aim to provide candidates with knowledge and skills in the key discipline areas. The core courses allow for contemporary management areas to be incorporated whilst allowing updates to meet changing required skill sets. A further eight courses are chosen from a set of elective courses allowing a candidate to focus on specific interest areas.

The Master of Business Administration is a 6 credit point, 24 course model. Delivery is offered across 6 half sessions. A half session is comprised of a 6 week teaching block with an additional week (week 7) to complete final examinations and assessment items.

Required courses 

MBA701 Corporate Finance
MBA702 Risk Management and Insurance Planning
MBA703 Innovation and Creative Decision Making
MBA704 Marketing Foundations
MBA705 Research for Decision Making
MBA706 Entrepreneurship
MBA707 Financial Statement Analysis
MBA708 Informatics for Managers
MBA709 Organisational Behaviour
MBA710 Economics for Managers
MBA711 Business Law
MBA712 Understanding Leadership
MBA713 Corporate Governance
MBA714 Strategic Management
MBA715 Financial Management
MBA716 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

Electives

MBA717 Human Resource Management
MBA718 New Business Planning
MBA719 Strategic Performance Measurement Systems
MBA720 Event Management
MBA721 Quantitative Data Analysis
MBA722
MBA723 Leading and Managing Organisational Change
MBA724 Project Management
MBA725 Cultural Intelligence for International Business Managers*
MBA726 Managing Knowledge Assets*
MBA727 Leadership Development
MBA728 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults *
MBA729 Marketing Strategy *
MBA730 Property Management *

Course Schedule

MBA Course Schedule

Intakes - when to apply

There will be three intakes a year: January (Session 2), May (Session 5) and August (Session 9). Prospective candidates should apply by no later than 30 November for Session 2, 30 March for Session 5, or 30 July for Session 9.

Scholarships 

Candidates wishing to apply for a scholarship must complete a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Scholarships are available at several levels, including a half waiver of full fees, and a quarter waiver of full fees. The level of scholarship awarded will depend on the achievements evidenced by prospective students as part of their admissions process. Further information will be provided on request for prospective students interested in applying for a scholarship.

For more information visit scholarships for business masters programs.

Program requirements

1. Students are required to successfully complete 24 courses as specified in the Master of Business Administration program structure.
2. Refer to the Academic Rules for further information.
3. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
4. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
5. Online study mode not available to international students on a Student Visa. 

Enquiries 

For more details about this program, please contact:
Graduate Studies, Faculty of Business
Tel: + 61 7 5430 1221
Fax: + 61 7 5430 1231
Email: businessfaculty@usc.edu.au

* Subject to approval. Management Project A, B and C are not open for student enrolment. These courses are for students who are given substitutes upon entry and require the Faculty’s approval.
** Please note that the program structure of the MBA, names of courses and fees are subject to change.

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