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Course Overview
The Master of Business Administration is generally regarded as the premier business qualification for practising managers and leaders. The MBA is a course for students from different countries with prior work experience and varying employment backgrounds. The MBA will greatly assist your understanding and application of best-practice management and business knowledge, from a strategic perspective, to improve organisational effectiveness. While undertaking the MBA, you will gain differing perspectives and approaches to current and emerging business issues through interaction with academics, colleagues and members of the business community, thus enabling you to competently lead, manage, and facilitate organisational change in a global context. An MBA provides the opportunities, skills and knowledge for you to develop your management and leadership responsibilities in a broad range of areas including strategy, marketing, people management, operations management, finance and change management.
Career Information
The Masters of Business Administration is regarded as the premier business qualification for practicing managers and leaders in contemporary organisations. Successful completion of this course will equip graduates with the requisite knowledge and skills that provide the opportunities for advancement within organisations and/or the development and successful implementation of strategies designed to advance business and organisational opportunities.
| Duration | 1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time |
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| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 72 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Postgraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | MBA |
| AQF Level | Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework) |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2026
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
Not Applicable |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
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Domestic Availability
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2023
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Term 1 - 2023
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Term 2 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2019
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Term 2 - 2018
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Term 1 - 2018
International Availability
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2023
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Term 1 - 2023
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Term 2 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2019
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Term 2 - 2018
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Term 1 - 2018
Prospective students must satisfy at least one of the following criteria to enrol in this course:
- A completed bachelor degree in any discipline from an Australian university or college or equivalent plus three years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) relevant work experience, or
- A completed honours degree in business from an Australian university or college or equivalent plus three years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) relevant work experience, or
- A completed CQUniversity Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Business Administration or equivalent, plus three years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) relevant work/managerial experience, or
- Students with no formal qualification but with a minimum of five years of managerial or professional work experience (places are limited and will be at the discretion of the MBA Director)
- Students are to submit an up to date curriculum vitae or resume that provides details of work experience, positions held, primary duties and length of employment.
NOTE:
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Prospective students should include a one page statement as to the relevance of this course to their future career.
- Students who have English as a second language (international or domestic students born outside of Australia, Canada, NZ, UK, Ireland, South Africa or USA), will need to meet English language proficiency requirements. The minimum academic IELTS score required is 6.5 with no individual band score of less than 6.0.
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Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | CC51 - Graduate Certificate in Business Administration CC52 - Graduate Diploma of Business Administration |
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| Exit Awards | CC51 - Graduate Certificate in Business Administration CC52 - Graduate Diploma of Business Administration |
| Accreditation |
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Residential School Requirements
| Optional Residential School | All students commencing the Master of Business Administration will be offered the opportunity to attend two residential schools for the commencement unit MGMT20129 Managing People, Organisations and Context and the capstone unit MGMT 20133 Strategic Business Management and Change. |
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| Click here to view all Residential Schools | |
Practicum/Work Placement
| MGMT20133 - Class content and assessment requires students to analyse real organisations as live cases, solve problems and issues and propose recommendations from a strategic perspective. |
| MGMT20135 - Class content and assessment requires students to analyse real organisations using critical thinking and problem solving techniques,to analyse and solve problems and issues and propose recommendations |
| MGMT20130 - Class content and assessment requires students to analyse operational issues in real organisations, use data analytics to address and solve problems and issues and propose recommendations |
| MGMT20131 - Class content and assessment requires students to analyse real organisations as live cases, reflect on their own leadership practice, solve problems and issues and propose recommendations |
| ECON20040 - Class content and assessment requires students to analyse real organisations as live cases, the economy and sources of finance and how they affect organisations and their performance. |
| LAWS20063 - Class content and assessment requires students to analyse real organisations as live cases and the legal issues they face, the laws that affect their operation and how to insure the organisation and its employees act with in both the spirit and the letter of the law. |
| MGMT20146 - Class content and assessment requires student to analyse real organisations as live cases, solve problems and issues and propose recommendations. |
| ACCT20077 - Class content and assessment requires students to analyse accounting issues in real organisations, solve problems and propose recommendations |
| MGMT20124 - Class content and assessment requires students to analyse real organisations as live cases, reflect on their own management practice, solve problems and issues and propose recommendations |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
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| 2025 | 38 |
| 2024 | 47 |
| 2023 | 54 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2021 | 45 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Examples are:
- Being able to comply with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Conduct Policy and Procedure, Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
- Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and professional practice.
Examples are:
- Knowing, understanding and complying with the laws of the Sovereign State in which you reside, work and/or study.
- Complying with the policies and practices of businesses or organisations in which you may be placed.
- Complying with the requirements for student registration with organisations such as the Institute of Managers and Leaders, the Australian Marketing Institute, the Australian Human Resources Institute and the like.
Examples are:
- Performing a wide range of advanced written communication tasks that address critical business problems and solutions. These include (but are not limited to) constructing logical and succinct academic essays, business reports or minor academic thesis that demonstrate substantive research while using correct CQU referencing.
- Performing a wide range of advanced verbal, non-verbal and ICT communication skills that address critical business problems and solutions. These include (but are not limited to) being able to deliver an enhanced message (in English) for maximum effectiveness, while utilising a variety of technologies or media; the ability to deliver succinct yet effective communication; the ability to deliver effective communication that results in impact and/or influence; the ability to design and deliver effective verbal presentations, in clear English, that utilises a variety of technologies or visual media that combines with appropriate business management concepts and language.
- Utilising a variety of technologies and/or visual media as well as speak in front of an audience with an appropriate middle or senior management/leadership voice, manner, style and presence that addresses the required outcomes as well as the needs of the audience.
- Students must be able to utilise a range of communication strategies including effective use of audio visuals to convey meaning, messages, recommendations, etc., to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
- Being highly proficient in the use of computers and various programs and tools as a means of being an advanced business and management communicator.
- Performing advanced communication tasks under pressure.
- Developing the skills of reflective practice to increase self-awareness with personal delivery of advanced communication skills, including being able to determine personal developmental needs with advanced communication deficiencies.
- Using appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, body movements and gestures, being mindful of personal space, time boundaries and cultural sensitivities.
- Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and respond appropriately.
- Utilising proxemics and haptics - physical locations and objects - in a manner that enhances openness and trust.
Examples are:
- Conceptualising and applying to academic assessment items the knowledge, skills, processes, tools and techniques of the course to real world examples and contexts of management or discipline specific issues.
- Applying theoretical knowledge, research evidence, policies and procedures in management and/or cognate discipline practice.
Examples are:
- Working productively with colleagues/peers in the classroom and/or in online environments and assuming joint responsibility for required tasks.
- As practicing and aspiring managers, students must interact and demonstrate tact when dealing with CQU staff, particularly in performance management contexts, and also represent the organisation to a range of stakeholders.
- Understanding, acquiring and demonstrating the components of emotional intelligence to effective working relationships and outcomes.
Examples are:
- Students need to adopt a sustained approach to research and study to meet deadlines and standards that reflect the type of activities they undertake in organisations.
- Being able to exercise sustainable self-direction in learning and research.
- Developing effective time management skills to enable sustained learning and research activities.
Examples are:
- Relating positively and effectively to a wide variety of business and community stakeholders.
- Understanding, acquiring and demonstrating the components of emotional intelligence to effective working relationships and outcomes.
- Combining appropriate business deliberations with the inclusion of the relevant interpersonal factors of the people connected in those processes.
- Being consultative and collaborative in creating and maintaining effective working relationships and outcomes.
- Engaging in personal reflection as a way of increasing self-awareness regarding how individuals interact and affect others.
- Creating cultural competence, sensitivity and willingness to work with a vast array of people, both in Australia and abroad.
- Recognising others as sentient human beings with rights that must not be violated.
- Recognising others in the workplaces as ends in themselves and never exclusively as means to an end.
- Demonstrating the skills of collaborating with fellow students and colleagues, modifying and reflecting on practice during a project, or modifying and reflecting on work integrated learning in response to supervisor feedback.
- 1. Review, analyse and communicate advanced knowledge of business theory and provide creative solutions to complex business problems
- 2. Integrate new knowledge with previous experience to analyse complex business issues and develop solutions
- 3. Communicate theoretical concepts and complex business management knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences
- 4. Participate responsibly in teams, leading and contributing in an emotionally intelligent manner, reflecting on team processes and the ability to achieve outcomes
- 5. Research, identify good practices and implement business strategies to enhance organisational effectiveness
- 6. Demonstrate a high level of learning autonomy, including personal development through reflective practice and a commitment to creativity, ethical, legal, social responsibility.
| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||
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| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice | ||||||
| 2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning | ||||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship | ||||||
| 4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice | ||||||
| 5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level | ||||||
| 6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences | ||||||
| 7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship | ||||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning | ||||||
| 9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability | ||||||
| 10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship. | ||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner | ||||||
- Complete the core structure
- Complete electives
| Number of units: 10 | Total credit points: 60 |
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| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
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Students may also apply directly to the Head of Course to undertake electives not listed above, providing they are at AQF level 9.
Students may select any two of the following available six credit point postgraduate units, or one 12 credit point unit, from the following list.
Students may alternatively select any two available six credit point postgraduate units, or one 12 credit point unit, offered by other Schools at CQUniversity that satisfy AQF unit level requirements, prerequisites and subject to the approval of the MBA Director or nominee.
Tier 1 MBA (CEO Magazine Global MBA Ranking)
The CL20 MBA of the CQU School of Business and Law has a long history of being ranked amongst the top MBAs globally, according to the prestigious CEO Magazine Global MBA Ranking. The 2025 ranking places our MBA in Tier 1 globally, and it is ranked as number 33 of online MBAs globally, and number 8 of Australian MBAs. 
To find out more about this ranking, please visit the CEO Magazine ranking website.
United Nations PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) Signatory
As a Signatory Member of the UN-supported initiative Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), the CQUniversity School of Business and Law is committed to aligning its strategies and operations with universally accepted principles of responsible management education. The School of Business and Law has been a signatory of PRME since 2017 and many of the units in the CL20 MBA have embedded the Principles, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To learn more about the School's commitment to PRME and the SDGs, please visit the PRME website where you can find our signatory progress reports: https://www.unprme.org/school-of-business-and-law-central-queensland-university
Queensland Police Service
Our partnership with the Queensland Police Service recognises previous study undertaken in the QPS Management Development Program, meaning personnel may be eligible for credit of up to 3 units of the 12 unit MBA. Refer to the Credit Transfer website at http://www.cqu.edu.au/credittransfer for further details.
Computing Requirements
As a student, it is necessary to have access to a computer or equivalent device in order to complete your coursework. You should have a good understanding of technology and the ability to navigate the online environment, which may involve completing online assessments, participating in online forums, and responding to emails. There may be instances where you need to use a computer or equivalent device for in-class tasks or assessments. It is important that you have dependable access to the internet and a computer or equivalent device capable of video conferencing for online classes. Make sure to review your unit profiles to learn about any specific technology requirements for your coursework.