Master of Business Administration (Marketing)

The UniSA Master of Business Administration (MBA) has been developed for experienced managers and enterprising leaders.

It has a strong practical focus on senior management decision-making and industry relevance.

You will gain real-world insights through access to academic and industry experts, benefit from a curriculum informed by current research and further your professional practice to advance your career progression.

You will engage with a cohort of experienced peers from diverse industries in a highly interactive learning environment.

This will maximise your networking and career development opportunities.

We also deliver experiential learning opportunities with direct application to the workplace which will deepen your expertise in fields such as strategy, marketing, finance, leadership, law, international business, and ethics and sustainability.

Our fully-flexible MBA allows you to tailor your studies to suit your individual needs with the option to complete your degree full-time, part-time, online, face-to-face or in mixed mode.

As a guide, full-time MBA students generally undertake two courses per study period and part-time students undertake one course.

Studying the MBA full-time will normally take 18 months, however you can fast-track your study and finish in just 12 months.

Part-time students taking one course per study period can typically complete the MBA in three years.

Entry requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the program will normally have: a) A minimum of three (3) years full time management experience and a recognised university undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualifications; or b) A Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of South Australia with an average of at least Pass Level 1 (55%) across four (or more) courses, or an equivalent qualification from the University of South Australia or from another recognised university; or c) The Program Director may, under exceptional circumstances, accept candidates with substantial and proven managerial and/or entrepreneurial experience who have demonstrated the potential to meet the learning requirements of the MBA.

All applicants are also required to submit a detailed curriculum vitae or equivalent with at least one referee who can validate work experience.

The MBA degree comprises nine compulsory core courses, two electives and a final capstone experience. A course runs for the length of a study period, and our academic year is divided into four study periods of 10 weeks each.

All MBA courses have an applied focus. They draw on real-life business case studies, and you are encouraged to use industry and workplace based issues for assessment tasks. Courses also feature visiting industry leaders who will lead discussions around contemporary business problems.

The final Strategic Industry Project requires you to plan and execute a project for a Board or senior management group. It is your opportunity to demonstrate the proficiency and integrative knowledge you’ve gained in your MBA studies. The courses provide an opportunity to apply your knowledge, engage in a real-world learning experience, and stimulate personal and professional development. You can also select your electives from a wide range of postgraduate courses delivered across the University.

There are 12 courses in the MBA program, run over four study periods each year. Each course is 10-weeks in duration, requiring approximately 15 hours of study per week and may also be offered in intensive mode. Study periods commence in January, April, June, and September, providing four intakes each year for commencing students.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

Australian Institute of Company Directors Course

Offered through a unique partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), this highly-regarded course is offered as a recognised elective of the MBA curriculum. The course will give you the specialist knowledge and skills to advise boards, join boards, and to better understand the contribution a high functioning board makes to an organisation’s success. You will also be eligible to use the post-nominal GAICD (Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors) upon successful completion.

View From the Top

Please apply via the UniSA MBA application portal. As part of the application process, MBA candidates are required to submit:

• an academic transcript
• a current curriculum vitae which addresses the entry requirements and includes qualifications, and provides evidence of management experience (including experience in supervision and financial management)

If applicable, scholarship applications must also be submitted in conjunction with the completed MBA application.

Credit transfer and exemption may be offered through recognition of prior learning for up to one third of your program to eligible applicants, at the discretion of the Program Director. If you have completed appropriate postgraduate management courses at recognised institutions, you may apply for a credit transfer. Graduates of the following courses are recognised as eligible to receive credit towards the MBA program:

• UniSA Leadership Development Program – two elective course credits
• Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course - one elective course credit
• Leaders Institute of South Australia Governors Leadership Foundation Program - one course credit
• Australian Centre for Business Growth (AUCBG) nine-month Business Growth Programs - one elective and one core course credit

Global Opportunities

International short-term and full semester exchanges, as well as intensive study-tours, open doors to new possibilities and experiences. The University of South Australia has strong connections with prestigious universities in Europe, Asia and the Americas - there are over 25 countries and 60 universities to choose from.

Travelling and studying with leading academic staff and your peers is a wonderful opportunity to develop first-hand knowledge of the international business environment. You’ll find the experience invaluable for your personal and professional development, and gain a global perspective.

There are also a range of international study grants available, making study abroad much more accessible.

Study tours

The Business in China Intensive School is a two-week study tour and project, offered in partnership with Peking University – a leading international business school.

The European Summer School of Advanced Management is a two-week study tour that gives 100 of the world’s outstanding MBA students an intensive international business experience. It has previously been hosted in London, Glasgow and Copenhagen.

Our student support services can make your life at university easier. We provide a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling. You can also access a range of services through our students association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.