Master of Business Administration

At the end of the program, students of the Master of Business Administration can:

1.   Apply critical thinking and technical skills to solve authentic business problems.
2.   Demonstrate effective communication and teamwork skills.
3.   Demonstrate mastery of a global body of business knowledge and practice, including knowledge of research principles and methods.
4.   Independently initiate, plan and execute a substantial project to meet agreed deliverables.
5.   Justify decisions and judgements that address a complex business issues considering the ethical and social consequences.

Become a leader and study the Master of Business Administration, choosing from one of our 14 specialisations. The MBA develops and educates highly-skilled managers and leaders who can contribute to organisations in an effective and responsible manner.

In a globally competitive environment, it is essential to build capability by creating climates and cultures conducive to innovation and advancement. This program provides students with the ability to respond to challenging situations in complex and modern organisations.

It also builds and further develops problem-solving skills, and effective interpersonal and relationship management skills, with a focus on personal and professional development.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Managing People and Organisations

• Big Data, Analytics and Business Decision Making

• Managing Change

• Transformative Leadership

Plus there’s a selection of specilisations and electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Choose your subjects

Majors

One or more of the specialisations in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course.

• Business Analytics
• Cyber Security Studies
• Design Thinking
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Environmental Management
• Finance
• Health Care Leadership and Management
• Hospitality Management
• Human Resource Management
• Information Systems
• Management of Occupational Health and Safety
• Marketing
• People and Culture
• Professional Internship
• Supply Chain and Logistics Management

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

Indicative total fee $52,900

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.

ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.

Learn more about ECU.

Explore ECU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

29

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

All applicants are required to have a Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of three years of relevant supervisory/management experience; or equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience of which at least three of these years must be at a supervisory/management level.

Successful applicants with a Graduate Certificate qualification or higher in Business/Commerce may seek reduced course duration by applying for recognition of prior learning.

One or more of the specialisations in this course has admission requirements. Refer to the specialisation for more information.

Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• Bachelor degree; or

• Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

Students can satisfy English competency requirements by showing any of the following:

• An IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0).

• Completion of a Bachelor degree from a country specified by ECU.

• Completion of 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

• Equivalent prior learning courses including at least five years relevant professional experience – as accepted by ECU.

• Completion of other tests, courses or programs as accepted by ECU.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. For eligible students, ECU offers credit and recognition of prior learning (CRPL). There are 2 CRPL options:

• Credit transfer to acknowledge students’ formal learning at uni or TAFE.

• Recognition of students’ informal learning gained outside of the education system (for example workplace experience or volunteer training.)

Clinical or professional work placement option

BUS6900 Management Practicum unit allows students to develop a practical appreciation of their field of study through integrating the material covered in the discipline course and applying their knowledge and skills to unstructured, authentic problems in work settings. Host organisations will be secured through the Work Placement Coordinator, or as a result of pre-approved networking and contacts developed by the student.

Attendance requirements:

Students must complete between 100 and 150 hours in an approved work environment within a public, private or non-profit organisation. This work will occur in a workplace, or wherever appropriate to fulfil the needs of the defined program of work.

Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required:

Students will be advised of the necessary clearances during the application process. Student visas do allow for full-time paid employment, as long as this is part of a formal, academic learning program.

The management of risk is addressed in the induction process on-campus and by the host organisation.

Professional practice rules:

Enrolled students will be issued with an guide which outlines the expected code of conduct and responsibilities.

Internship option 

The internship program comprises of two units. Students may take one or both of the units. These units concentrate on the development and application of non-technical skills important to the students' chosen profession and developing an awareness of professional conduct within the Australian work context. Students will develop a professional portfolio which will help demonstrate to potential employers their developed skills and suitability for employment. The program also provides an opportunity for students to apply their disciplinary knowledge and demonstrate leadership and autonomy in the research, planning, design and implementation of a work-based project which is related to their postgraduate degree studies. During this internship, students are expected to demonstrate evidence of professional conduct, initiative and professional leadership at the standards expected by industry, as well as demonstrate a capacity to work effectively in a team-based environment.

Attendance requirements:

Typically, if students undertake both WIL units, they will do these units in the same semester, working on a full-time basis (37.5 hours per week) over a 16-week period in their assigned host organisation. These working hours may include shift and/or weekend work depending on the nature of the organisation. Working arrangement may vary on an individual basis. For those students undertaking just one unit, the arrangements may vary and include a shorter period of full-time work or part-time work over the semester. In addition to the 16 weeks of part- or full-time work, students will be required to attend on-campus preparatory and end of semester seminars, as instructed by the Unit Coordinator. Internships and partners will be secured through the Work-Integrated Learning Coordinator, Work Placement Coordinator or as a result of pre-approved networking and contacts developed by the student. Terms of payment, if any, will be negotiated on an individual basis.

Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required:

Procedures will be in place to ensure that enrolled students have the necessary clearances and visas prior to their internship. Students will be advised of these requirements during the application process. Student visas do allow for full-time paid employment, as long as this is part of a formal, academic learning program (such as this unit specialisation). The management of risk is addressed in the induction process on-campus and by the host organisation.

Professional practice rules:

Enrolled students will be issued with an internship guide which outlines the expected code of conduct and responsibilities.

On-campus delivery will be via either block delivery or intensive delivery.

Block delivery involves online delivery of material, coupled with two complete weekends that are separated by a number of weeks. The material delivered via online mode will occur prior to the first block weekend and between the two weekend blocks of face to face teaching: or

Intensive delivery will occur over a number of consecutive days (normally five or six) of teaching. The student will be supported through appropriate online support such as pre-reading and an initial activity.

Some specialisations can only be studied on-campus or online. Students should refer to the availability/delivery options listed against each specialisation for further details.