Master in Business Administration (Social Impact)

On completion of the course you will be able to:

1. Formulate solutions to complex social impact problems
2. Critically appraise evidence to support decision making
3. Assess risks for strategic planning
4. Adopt contemporary leadership theory and practices to real life settings
5. Evaluate opportunities for change
6. Apply technical and social impact knowledge and skills with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice.

Get immersed in the world of social impact practice, policy and research delivered by a team of active social impact practitioners at the Flinders Centre for Social Impact (CSI).

Learn how to apply a social impact mindset to design innovative social impact solutions to real-world scenarios and identify opportunities for creating social impact beyond ‘business as usual’. Expand your capacity to lead transformational change in for-purpose, for-profit and government sectors.

Recommended study pattern

The Master of Business Administration (Social Impact) provide a structured pathway containing 16 topics. There is flexibility but generally students undertake four topics relevant to social impact, eight business and management core topics, and four elective topics.

You can also choose an industry placement instead of a topic and you could extend your industry exposure by electing to undertaking an industry entrepreneurial program: the Defence Entrepreneurship Program, the Advanced Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Program or the Wine and Tourism Entrepreneurship Program.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Business Administration (Social Impact), a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

Exit points

Upon completion of 18 units a student may choose to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact or a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration respectively, subject to meeting the Program of Study for that award. 

Upon completion of 36 units a student may choose to exit with a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, subject to meeting the Program of Study for that award.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $71,280

The amounts shown here are 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.

Flinders University is a globally-focused, locally-engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. They offer world‐class education that develops the critical and creative thinking skills to support a student’s success. Their courses offered through Open Universities Australia span business, education and law. They are designed with flexibility in mind, while delivering the advanced qualifications to take careers to the next step.

Learn more about Flinders University.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

20

Applicants must have one of:

• Hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution; OR
• Have completed the Graduate Certificate in Social Impact at Flinders University; OR
• Have completed the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration at Flinders University. 

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses.

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants:

• first language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language)
• completed secondary schooling in Australia
• completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution)
• completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution 
• completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program 
• performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements
• registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia)
• achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university
• completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider.

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience. Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.