Key facts
Duration
1.5 years full-time
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Study at a top 3 business school in Victoria* and propel your career to the next level. Join a thriving, diverse and inclusive community of like-minded professionals from a wide range of sectors and backgrounds in Australia’s #1 ranked Master of Business Administration (MBA) for classroom experience.^ Deakin’s MBA gives you access to the latest business insights from industry experts and academic thought leaders with decades of professional experience.
Refined over 30 years, our MBA is a flexible and engaging program. Choose from an extensive range of specialisations, electives, residentials, study tours and intensives. Personalise your study to fit around your complex work and family life while meeting your career goals.
Want to become a confident business leader with Deakin's game-changing MBA?
Get first-hand experience of a socially and environmentally responsible approach to business that considers people, the planet and profit in all its forms. Gain real-world skills from day one. Tackle live challenges faced by organisations, visit international businesses, take industry-led masterclasses and mature your leadership style. You will be exposed to new ideas and thinking that doesn't stop when class does.
Deakin has a long history of delivering unique, student-centred opportunities to upskill in future-focused areas of business. Our residential intensives and study tours allow you to learn through immersive, collaborative and culturally enriching experiences while gaining credit towards your degree. The Deakin MBA offers a wide selection of flexible study options that may help you fast-track your studies.
You will learn from highly experienced and PhD-qualified professors and industry adjunct professors who are globally respected leaders in their fields. Our industry partners and professors work together to create a curriculum that is grounded in the everyday reality of business, ensuring that the MBA reflects the contemporary challenges you will face in your professional endeavours.
In addition to industry input, your personal and professional background is valued for bringing significant knowledge to the program. Share your expertise with your peers and learn from people from a wide range of backgrounds. Take advantage of regular opportunities for networking, career enhancement and professional development. Plus, get the personalised learning support you need, including writing workshops, one-on-one mentoring and seminars.
Whether you learn best face-to-face or online, the Deakin MBA allows you to create a course that works for you. A truly flexible experience, the modular nature of Deakin's MBA means you can choose from a range of specialisations, electives, delivery modes (online, residential, study tours) and MBA masterclasses to thoroughly explore your area of interest – tailoring your learning to what's relevant to your career goals.
Deakin’s MBA will ignite your imagination, creativity and business mindset, setting you up to be a future CEO or director. You will graduate with both the technical and human skills to secure the job, client or project you’ve been pursuing.
*AFR BOSS Best Business Schools 2023
^QS Global Online MBA Rankings 2022
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Business Administration
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- M701
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Course structure
The MBA course structure provides an integrated experience designed to reflect the foundational business knowledge required of an MBA program, career development and employability, leadership and management skills, and an integrative capstone experience.
To complete the Master of Business Administration, students must attain a total of 12 credit points, consisting of 8 credit points of core units, and 4 credit points of open elective units (4 credit points of elective units may be taken as one of the available Faculty-wide specialisations.)* plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin.
Students have the option of completing Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) to count towards MBA electives. These short courses include a range of masterclasses that have been designed with MBA students in mind, specifically focusing on new trends and issues that industry leaders encounter in today’s workplaces. Typically, two short courses are equivalent to a credit point of elective study; each is designed to deliver learning in a short and engaging format.
The Deakin Advantage capstone provides an integrative MBA experience in which students complete a ‘live case study’ as a major project which synthesises knowledge, concepts and research gained from their study program.
8
Core units
4
Elective units
12
Total units
Core units
#MBR code denotes optional residential version of the unit
^MBT code denotes optional study tour version of the unit
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Open elective units
The remaining 4 credit points may be selected from:
- a faculty-wide specialisation
- postgraduate units offered by the University (subject to availability)
- Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials).
Stackable short courses
Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 cp microcredentials) to earn up to 4 credit point(s) of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. See more information on Deakin stackable short course options.
Specialisations
Refer to the details of each specialisation for availability.
- Accounting
- Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Business Analytics
- Digital Transformation
- Digital Finance
- Event Management
- Finance
- Financial Planning
- Human Resource Management
- Information Systems
- International Trade and Business
- Leadership
- Management Consulting
- Marketing
- Marketing Technology
- Professional Practice
- Project Management
- Property and Real Estate
- Supply Chain Management
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - International students should note that, due to visa regulations, this course can only be undertaken while living outside Australia.
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more elective work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline and at least three years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)*
- completion of a graduate certificate or higher in a related discipline and at least three years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)*
- completion of a graduate diploma equivalent (professional pathways)
*Definition of minimum work experience: three years' relevant work experience and must include at least two years (full-time equivalent) in a managerial or professional role with responsibilities for decision making in a range of areas including budgetary oversight, staffing and management, involvement in strategy and planning development and operational implementation.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Non-academic requirements
You must provide the following with your application:
- a current CV that clearly demonstrates professional / managerial experience
- current contact details of two referees who can be contacted concerning your work experience
- a one page brief outlining why you believe that your work experience would be valued by your MBA peers
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Online studies
Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.
However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) into the Master of Business Administration may be granted to students who have successfully completed equivalent postgraduate qualifications. RPL cannot be granted for MBA-coded units based on work experience alone. It may be considered in addition to the postgraduate qualifications. Students must complete at least four credit points of the core units at Deakin.
Students who have completed CPA CA ANZ or IPA professional programs and have a current full CPA, CA ANZ or IPA professional membership may be eligible for UP TO 6 credit points of RPL.
If you have a membership with one of Deakin Business School’s partner organisations, you may be eligible for course credit to put towards your degree. Find out more about RPL with business partners.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about international student fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Master of Business Administration Global Leader's Scholarship
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
Careers
Career outcomes
Deakin MBA graduates excel in leadership and entrepreneurial roles across all areas of business and industry. As a graduate of Deakin’s MBA, you will have the skills and expertise to pursue executive, C-suite and director roles.
Professional recognition
Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to less than 1 per cent of business schools internationally and meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental business principles and concepts and integrate own business expertise to develop insights into complex, contemporary business issues and apply this to address emerging global business trends and challenges |
| Communication | Demonstrate high level written, oral and interpersonal communication skills required to provide clear, well-reasoned advice to organisations and lead and influence others |
| Digital literacy | Select and use digital technologies that support the research and analysis of complex business issues and enhances effective dissemination of proposals and recommendations |
| Critical thinking | Apply critical thinking and analysis skills to evaluate complex data, relationships and projects in an organisational environment |
| Problem solving | Apply problem solving skills and creativity to arrive at evidence-based decisions and imagine strategies and the changes required to implement recommended courses of action |
| Self-management | Developed an enhanced insight into leadership style and reflect on own ability to take personal accountability and act as a confident leader |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate the ability to develop networks and business relationships and leverage these to achieve collaborative and mutually beneficial outcomes |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate an understanding of the impact entrepreneurial approaches to business issues has on social, sustainability and cultural challenges in the global business environment |