Master of Business Administration

Program Overview

---

Master of Business Administration

Advance your career in business with this flexible course tailored to suit your professional interests. Learn alongside leading industry experts with opportunities for real-world learning and networking in domestic and international settings.

Fast Facts

• Domestic: You’re a domestic student if you are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, are an Australian permanent resident, or hold an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.
• International: You’re an international student if you intend to study on a student visa, are not a citizen of Australian or New Zealand, are not an Australian permanent resident, or don’t hold an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.

Location

• JCU campuses or study centres where you can study this course. 'Online' means the course can be studied off-campus using a combination of online resources, printed material or other technologies. Some online courses include on-campus workshops and travel for professional placements.
  • Townsville
  • Brisbane

Available to Australian students for inter-campus study in Singapore. Conditions apply.

Commencing

• The month(s) you can start the course. For courses offered at JCU Singapore and JCU Brisbane, see 'How to Apply'.
  • Townsville: January, May, September
  • Brisbane: January, May, September

Fees

• Indicative, annual cost of your course. Some courses are supported by the Australian Government with the government paying some of your fees. This is the Commonwealth Supported fee. The tuition fee is the fee payable if Commonwealth Support does not apply. You can defer your fees if eligible with HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. The Student Services & Amenities Fee is a required payment from most students.
  • $32,168.00^

^estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible

Currently displaying fees for 2025, which are subject to change in following years.

Duration

• The time it will take you to complete the course as a full-time student. Also specifies if the course is available part-time. This section will indicate if some online courses may have a longer duration due to their different delivery method.
  • 1.5 years full-time

Entry Requirements

• This is usually a score given to Year 12 students upon completion of their studies. Non-school leavers can have their qualifications and work experience assessed to obtain an equivalent score. The score displayed is the minimum adjusted ATAR/rank that was required for entry. Some subjects are required for entry into a course. Whereas assumed knowledge indicates a minimum level of knowledge
  • AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or AQF level 8 degree; or 4 year managerial experience that satisfies the course co-ordinator's requirements

Course Code

• The course code is JCU's unique identifier for this course.

Course Detail

What to Expect

• Enhance your career prospects with JCU’s Master of Business Administration (MBA). Gain an in-depth understanding of sustainable enterprise, corporate strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship. JCU MBA graduates are highly sought after for their ability to analyse current practices and outcomes in a business or organisation and develop innovative methods for enhancing its enterprise and success.

Majors

• Economic Resilience (Townsville)

  • Build strong and sustainable business practices with an Economic Resilience major. You’ll develop an advanced understanding of the economic principles of disaster analysis and response, sustainable business development, and business continuity and resilience. The skills you develop will become an asset within industries and are designed to assist businesses, governments and NGOs to weather any storm as they plan, prepare and recover from diverse challenges.

• Entrepreneurship (Brisbane)

  • Develop your expertise with an Entrepreneurship major and learn the principles of business consulting, venture capital and project management. With this major, you’ll become a valuable source of knowledge and expertise across diverse industries, including engineering, IT, consulting, procurement, health, defence and construction. Gain hands-on experience with the capacity to apply your skills in real-world entrepreneurial environments. You’ll be able to consult on business planning, problem solving, performance improvement and consider diverse capital and seed funding opportunities.

• Leadership (Townsville, Brisbane)

  • Use your love of innovation, entrepreneurship and people-management to strengthen your employability. Learn how to lead businesses in highly competitive environments, solve complex organisational problems, plan effectively and hire the right employees. Managing finances, resources, and direct business operations with confidence in a fast-paced setting. You will learn a variety of transferable skills, important in managing a business or team in any industry.

• Project Management (Townsville, Brisbane)

  • Learn how to harness your passion, resolve and vision to deliver groundbreaking results for business, government and the community. Develop vital skills in linear planning, leadership and management, and risk assessment in complex projects.

Career Opportunities

• JCU Master of Business Administration graduates have outstanding leadership skills and are sought after in a wide range of industries.
• Graduates pursue careers in economics, finance, human resource management, marketing, accounting, business law, and information technology.
• You could work as a management consultant, marketing manager, market research analyst, investment banker, operations manager, or financial advisor.

Handbook

• Handbook year: Information valid for students commencing in 2025
• Course code: JCU's unique identifier for this course.
• Course type: Masters by Coursework (AQF Level 9)
• Professional accreditation status: The Project Management Major within this program is globally accredited by the Institute of Project Management (IPM). Graduates who complete the Project Management subjects: LB5403:03, LB5246:03, LB5245:03 and LB5247:03 are eligible to be admitted as Certified Project Officers (CPO)
• Owner: Academy
• College: Business, Law and Governance

Award Requirements

• Credit points: 36 credit points as per course structure
• Course learning outcomes: JCU graduates are committed to lifelong learning, intellectual development, and to the display of exemplary personal, professional and ethical standards. They have a sense of their place in the tropics and are charged with professional, community, and environmental responsibility. JCU graduates appreciate the need to embrace and be acquainted with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia. They are committed to reconciliation, diversity and sustainability. They exhibit a willingness to lead and to contribute to the intellectual, environmental, cultural, economic and social challenges of regional, national, and international communities of the tropics.

Admission Requirements

• Course pre-requisites: The following course pre-requisites have been designed to ensure the assumed base introductory knowledge within the Accounting, Marketing and Management disciplines.
  • Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a cognate* discipline from this or another university; or
  • Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in any discipline from this or another university and two years business experience in a managerial role**; or
  • completion of an AQF level 8 honours degree in any discipline from this or another university; or
  • completion of an AQF level 8 Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from this or another university; or
  • four years business experience in a managerial role**, to the satisfaction of the course coordinator; or
  • Other qualifications or practical experience recognised by the Dean, College of Business Law and Governance as equivalent to the above.

*Cognate disciplines: accounting and finance, marketing, management, commerce, human resource management, economics, tourism and hospitality or other disciplines where students will have completed study relating to organisational behaviour, business, strategy, marketing, economics, communication and people management. **Business experience: applicants must have a minimum of years full-time equivalent professional work experience in a management, leadership or supervisory level in a business environment or be eligible for a member grade status of a relevant professional organisation. Students will have demonstrable effective management experience relating to organisational behaviour, business, strategy, accounting, marketing, economics, communication and people management.

Inherent Requirements

• Inherent Requirements: Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Master of Business Administration.

Course Structure

• CORE SUBJECTS
  • LB5203:03 Sustainable Enterprise
  • LB5113:03 Corporate Strategy
  • LB5233:03 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • CO5124:03 Data Analysis and Decision Modelling or LB5237:03 Managerial Accounting for Decision Making (Singapore students)
  • LB5241:03 Leadership Futures
  • LB5235:03 Applied Research Project or LB5520:03 Professional Project/Internship
• PLUS
  • Select 6 credit points of subjects from List 1
  • Select one of the following Options
• Option 1 (General Stream)
  • Select 6 credit points of any level 5 subjects
  • Select 6 credit points of level 5 subjects with a prefix of CO, CP, EC, LB, PL or TO
• Option 2 (Major)
  • Select a Major from Table A
• List 1
  • LB5229:03 Economics for a Sustainable World
  • LB5230:03 Managing Strategic Resources and Operations
  • LB5231:03 Corporate Responsibility and Governance
  • LB5237:03 Managerial Accounting for Decision Making
  • LB5403:03 Project Management Principles and Foundations
• TABLE A (MAJORS)
  • Type of major: Optional, single
  • Credit points in major: 12 credit points
  • MAJOR: AVAILABLE AT: NOTES
    • Analytics and Business Solutions: JCU Singapore
    • Creative Marketing: JCU Singapore
    • Economic Resilience: JCU Townsville: External
    • Entrepreneurship: JCU Brisbane: JCU Singapore
    • Finance: JCU Singapore
    • Global Talent Management: JCU Singapore
    • Leadership: JCU Brisbane: JCU Townsville: External
    • MICE, Tourism and Hospitality: JCU Singapore
    • Project Management: JCU Brisbane: JCU Townsville: External

Location

• COURSE AVAILABLE AT: NOTES
  • JCU Brisbane: Not all majors are available: Internal or mixed-mode attendance*Students will be advised of face-to-face dates by JCU Brisbane Campus.
  • JCU Singapore: Not all majors are available
  • JCU Townsville: Not all majors are available

Candidature

• Expected time to complete: 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent (1 year full-time or part-time equivalent at JCUS)
• Maximum time to complete: 5.5 years
• Maximum leave of absence: 1 year

Progression

• Course progression requisites: Nil
• Course includes mandatory professional placement(s): No
• Special assessment requirements: Nil
• Professional accreditation requirements: Nil
• Supplementary exam for final subject: A student who has failed a single subject towards the award in their final teaching period and who gained 40% or more of the marks for that subject may be granted a supplementary examination in that subject. However if that subject is required for accreditation, then the criteria specified by that accreditation will apply.

Credit

• Eligibility: Students may apply for a credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure
• Credit will be granted for the following:
  • The JCU Diploma in Business Administration – 12 credit points
  • Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline* - up to 12 credit points

• Maximum allowed: 12 credit points
• Currency: Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
• Expiry: Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 15.5 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed the course.
• Other restrictions: Credit will not be granted for undergraduate studies or for work experience used to gain admission to the course when assessed separately for admission requirements.

Award Details

• Award title: MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
• Approved abbreviation: MBA
• Inclusion of majors on testamur: Majors will appear on the testamur
• Exit with lesser award: Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have completed the relevant number of credit points and appropriate subjects, may be eligible to receive one of the following awards:
  • Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
  • Graduate Certificate of Conflict Management and Resolution
• Course articulation: Not applicable
• Special Awards: Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Fees and Scholarships

• Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD32,168.00
• A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.

Pathways to JCU

• A Graduate Certificate in this subject area can be used as a pathway into this course.
• Explore JCU’s available Graduate Certificates here or contact our friendly JCU Future Students Team to find out more.

How to Apply

• Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.

Real Stories

• Alumni
  • Eyal Azulay: Master of Business Administration
    • This course gives an opportunity for emerging and existing leaders to develop strategic leadership skills to achieve personal and organisational goals. The course’s various subjects challenge me to think differently and provide me with essential tools to improve my communication and collaboration.
  • Aaron Newman: Master of Business Administration
    • My professional development has benefited from the MBA in a number of ways, from applying new knowledge to my management role at the time to enabling me to think more strategically about the business. The lecturers connected us with emerging leaders in the business community, providing valuable network opportunities.
• Lecturer
  • Associate Professor Monica Jurin: Academic Director, Master of Business Administration
    • Elevate your executive skills with the JCU Master of Business Administration — navigating complexity, analysing data and optimising decisions strategically. Develop management proficiency across various areas including people, marketing, financials, operations, innovation, entrepreneurship and change.
  • Associate Professor Carmen Reaiche: Business Director, Master of Business Administration
    • If you want to take your career to the next level and open doors you never knew existed, getting your MBA is the best decision you can make. Our MBA curriculum goes beyond theoretical knowledge, providing hands-on experience through case studies, internships, and networking opportunities with industry professionals.

Real-World Experience

• Count her in More than a career with the Public Service Learn More
• James Cook University partners with Russo Higher Education Pty Ltd to deliver the programs available at our Brisbane campus.