Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
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You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Program Code
DMMA
Study as
Full-time
or part-time
Mode
On-campus/Online
Fees
$AU 41,900 per 1.0 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025
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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 Bachelor 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.
Degree overview
- The UniSA Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designed for experienced managers and enterprising leaders, with a strong practical focus on senior management decision-making.
- Tailor your studies to suit your needs with flexible options including face-to-face, online or mixed mode study, as well as full-time or part-time. Graduate with the same high-quality qualification no matter how you study.
- Study a top 10 MBA in Australia1 with a curriculum informed by above world-class research in Business and Management2.
- Complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course as part of your degree – Australia’s only MBA to offer this dynamic course.
- Australia's No. 3 online MBA and Top 20 in the world3.
- Learn and network with a diverse cohort of highly experienced professionals who bring extensive management experience to the classroom.
- Study at the No.1 Business School in SA, and Top 5 business school in Australia for quality.4.
- Gain an international perspective through global study experiences, including the European Summer School of Advanced Management or the Business in China Intensive School (subject to Australian Government travel guidelines).
- Access dedicated MBA scholarships that champion diversity in leadership at senior levels.
- Benefit from UniSA’s diverse industry partnerships that bring real-world scenarios to classroom learning.
- Study at a university recognised globally in Business. UniSA Business is ranked in the top one per cent worldwide and has been awarded an overall five stars for excellence5.
12023 QS Global MBA Rankings: Oceania. 22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 32024 CEO Magazine Global MBA Rankings. 4Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Business Schools List 2023. 5UniSA Business is one of just 13 institutions in Australia and approximately 200 globally (from over 25,000 universities) to be EQUIS accredited. EFMD, March 2024. 2023 QS Stars Business School Ratings.
Snapshot
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 embeds the latest in management and leadership research.
As part of your studies, you will gain real-world insights through access to academic and industry experts, benefit from a curriculum informed by world-class research and further your professional practice to maximise your career progression. You will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse cohort of highly experienced peers from a wide range of industry backgrounds in an engaging learning environment.
Deepen your expertise in fields such as strategy, marketing, finance, leadership, international business, ethics, governance and sustainability, and gain invaluable learnings you can apply in real time to transform your career.
You will also have the opportunity to study the Company Directors Course embedded within your MBA through a unique partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors – UniSA is the only university with a partnership of this kind in Australia.
Our fully-flexible MBA allows you to tailor your studies to suit your individual needs with the option to study face-to-face (including intensives and evening classes), online or in mixed mode, as well as full-time or part-time.
As a guide, full-time MBA students generally undertake two courses per study period and part-time students undertake one course per study period. Studying the MBA full-time will normally take 18 months, but there are opportunities to fast-track your study. Part-time students taking one course per study period will typically complete the MBA in three years.
Human Resource Management specialisation
The MBA Human Resource Management specialisation is relevant, practical and applicable to today’s environment. You will develop skills in problem solving, leadership, and performance management.
The curriculum is informed by international research and UniSA’s wealth of industry connections, both locally and internationally.
In your studies you will develop the expertise and skills to practice as an HRM specialist and leader, gaining advanced knowledge across a range of areas including:
- Workplace learning and development
- Managing the global workforce
- Strategic management of human resources
- Recruitment and selection
- Employment law
- Workplace health and safety management
- Employee performance and rewards.
What you'll learn
The MBA degree comprises eight compulsory core courses, three electives and a final capstone experience. The MBA academic year is divided into four study periods of 10 weeks each. Courses are delivered in the evenings over the 10-week period, or can be studied in intensive mode if you require more flexibility.
All MBA courses have an applied focus. They draw on real-life business case studies, and you are encouraged to draw on your own industry and workplace-based scenarios for assessment tasks. Courses also feature visiting industry leaders, who will lead discussions around contemporary business problems.
You will be able to tailor your study plan based on your career needs and interests by choosing the order in which you study your courses, and can choose three electives from a wide range of Human Resource Management courses.
The program offers two capstone options: the Company Directors Course or a Strategic Industry Project. Learn the principles and practices of good governance with the preeminent governance qualification in Australia, the Company Directors Course delivered through our unique partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
The Strategic Industry Project is an opportunity to demonstrate the proficiency and integrative knowledge you’ve gained through your MBA studies, where you’ll be required to plan and prepare a strategic report focusing on a contemporary business problem. This course is an opportunity to apply your knowledge, engage in real-world learning experiences, and stimulate personal and professional development.
Study hours
There are 12 courses in the MBA program, run over four study periods each year. Each course is ten weeks in duration, requiring approximately 15 hours of study per week, and may also be studied in intensive mode.
Study periods commence in January, April, June and September each year, providing you with a choice between four intakes.
Assessment
Your studies at UniSA will incorporate practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. Some of the assessment types you might undertake include:
- Case studies and reports
- Essays and assignments
- An industry-relevant project
- An oral or online presentation
- A journal or a portfolio
- Team-based assessments.
Research
UniSA is recognised and respected for its high quality, comprehensive research inspired by the contemporary challenges facing Australia and the world.
We focus on finding practical solutions, creating new knowledge, and delivering economic and social benefits. We collaborate with industry to generate high quality research that solves real-world problems. We are renowned for our concentration of academic experts and global thought leaders in marketing, human resource management, applied economics, tourism and international business.
The MBA curriculum is informed by our research expertise. In the 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) rankings, all of our assessed research was rated at or above world-class. We have particular strengths in management and marketing, and we are one of only three business schools globally with an academic focus on SME business growth. Read more about our strengths in research.
Timetable
The UniSA MBA is offered across four study periods each year.
2023 MBA teaching dates:
- Study Period 1 (Term 1)? ? 9 January - 24 March
- Study Period 3 (Term 2)? ? 3 April - 16 June?
- Study Period 4 (Term 3)? ? 26 June - 8 September
- Study Period 6 (Term 4)? ? 18 September - 1 December
Why Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
UniSA Business is ranked in the top one per cent worldwide1 and our 5-Star MBA2 is recognised and respected globally for its excellence.
Our MBA is also been ranked in the top 10 in Australia3 and has been consistently awarded by leading bodies nationally and overseas. It offers a dynamic, engaging and completely flexible program that delivers invaluable networking opportunities with both your peers and industry executives, preparing you to think and act as a global business leader.
We understand the demands on busy professionals and provide you with the flexibility to tailor your studies. Choose to learn face-to-face (including evening classes and intensives), online or in mixed mode, as well as full-time or part-time.
As part of this degree you can choose to complete the Company Directors Course, designed to strengthen your understanding of the principles of good governance. Delivered through a unique partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, this course is highly regarded and UniSA is the only university in Australia with a partnership of this kind.
Two-week international study tours are also available (subject to Australian Government travel advice) including the European Summer School of Advanced Management and the Business in China Intensive School.
UniSA Business is the only business school in South Australia accredited by both AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies recognising excellence in business education and research at a global level. These dual accreditations demonstrate the high standards we hold across all areas such as teaching, student learning and research, as well as our commitment to continually improving the quality of our programs.
If you are driven to create new solutions, lead innovative teams and deliver exceptional results in the context of disruptive change and global uncertainty, the UniSA MBA is the next step for you.
1UniSA Business is one of just 13 institutions in Australia and approximately 200 globally (from over 25,000 universities) to be EQUIS accredited. EFMD, March 2024. 22020 QS Stars Ratings. 3Ranked 8th, 2023 QS Global MBA Rankings: Oceania.
Real-world connections
AICD Company Directors Course
Offered through a unique partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), this highly-regarded course is offered as a capstone option or elective in the UniSA MBA curriculum. The course will give you the specialist knowledge and skills to advise and 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.
Executive Mentoring
The Executive Partners Program is a unique mentoring opportunity, where you will be matched to a senior executive with extensive business experience and networks. You will gain new perspectives, develop business insights, and consider your career trajectory. Executive Partners are selected from a diverse range of professions and industries, and have worked for companies such as Alcoa, BP, Commonwealth Bank, CSR, ExxonMobil, Mitsubishi and SA Health.
MBA Alumni Network
Join a dynamic global network of more than 50,000 business alumni when you graduate from a UniSA MBA. As part of our alumni network, you’ll enjoy access to an extensive range of benefits, including opportunities to connect and network with fellow alumni, and dedicated access to the UniSA MBA LinkedIn group.
Hear from our graduates
Industry facts
Please apply via the UniSA MBA application portal.
As part of the application process, you will need to submit:
- An academic transcript
- A current curriculum vitae which addresses the entry requirements, includes qualifications and provides evidence of management experience.
If applicable, scholarship applications must also be submitted in conjunction with your completed MBA application.
Applications can be submitted at any time of the year.
Alternative Pathways
Australian
If you would like to strengthen your business knowledge with a shorter qualification, the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (four courses) or the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (eight courses) may suit you. They provide a pathway into, and credit towards, this MBA.
Both can be studied face-to-face, online or a combination of both.
International
If you would like to strengthen your business knowledge with a shorter qualification, the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (four courses) or the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (eight courses) may suit you. They provide a pathway into, and credit towards, this MBA.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Women in MBA Scholarship
This scholarship actively addresses leadership inequality and champions women with leadership potential to advance their careers into senior management and executive roles.
Aboriginal MBA Scholarship
UniSA is offering a dedicated scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to develop their careers as leaders and senior managers in business, government and industry.
Your study experience and support
Global opportunities
International short-term and full semester exchanges, as well as intensive study tours can 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.
Study tours
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.
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.
There are also a range of international study grants available, making study abroad much more accessible.
Student services
Our dedicated MBA team is available to support you throughout your studies. The team can provide expert advice on study options, elective choices, career services and more, and can help with referrals to other support services across the University.
Our City West campus also has fantastic facilities if you're studying on campus including purpose-built teaching spaces, a state-of-the-art library and modern study rooms, as well as student gyms, pools and campus sport activities.
Interactive learning environment
Regardless of whether you study on campus, online or in mixed mode, you'll have access to online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle.
You'll be able to:
- access online videos and course resources
- participate in virtual classrooms
- submit your assignments and get feedback online
- use forums and discussion boards for team work and communication
Our online facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to suit your lifestyle. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your program director
The UniSA MBA is a learning journey that will involve and engage you to reimagine ideas and develop frameworks for better decision-making as leaders and individuals. The program is designed to build on your strengths while providing an overarching understanding of critical business administration and leadership concepts. We provide evidence-based insights with real-world practical implications. As the Director of the MBA and an academic who teaches in the program, I can assure you that our MBA course facilitators are indeed experts in their field. They are scholars doing cutting-edge research in their fields, while partnering with industry to solve real-world problems. In our MBA, you will receive insights that can only come from teachers like ours, who bring the research-teaching nexus into their facilitation. Our MBA provides flexibility so that you can adapt your schedule to suit your lifestyle. We are here to prepare you with the knowledge and skills that will aid you today and in the ever-changing future. Our MBA cohort will allow you to engage in peer-to-peer learning, develop professional connections, and make lifelong friendships.
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
What others are saying
When I commenced the MBA program, I had significant professional experience, including working with executives in ASX listed entities, and HR qualifications. However I didn’t have broad business qualifications. The MBA program has helped close gaps in my experience and qualifications, and has broadened my strategic perspective across disciplines.
Laura Schonfeldt
Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
Executive Director, People & Culture | Department for Education SA
