Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2020
You're viewing degree information for Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Humanitarian Visa holders)
Program Code
DMMA
Study as
Full-time
or part-time
Mode
On-campus/Online
Fees
$AU 34,600 per 1.0 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2020
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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 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.
Register here for the next MBA Information Session.
Degree overview
- Australia's No.1 online MBA and No.6 in the World1
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Ranked No.4 MBA in Australia and in the Top 10 MBAs for 12 years2
- Awarded 5-Stars by the Graduate Management Association of Australia (GMAA) for ten consecutive years
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Our fully-flexible MBA allows you to tailor your studies to suit your needs with options to learn full-time, part-time, online, face-to-face or in mixed mode
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Complete the Company Directors Course as part of your degree through a unique partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
- Access global study experiences through the 2-week Business in China Intensive School (BICIS) or the European Summer School of Advanced Management (ESSAM)
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Awarded 5-Stars for Program Strength by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)
- Our curriculum is informed by above world-class research in Human Resource Management3
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Ranked No.5 in Australia and in the World Top 100 for Business Administration4
- Ranked No.4 in Australia for graduate satisfaction and No.7 for value for money by the Australian Financial Review BOSS Survey, 2017
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The University of South Australia Business School is ranked in the top one per cent worldwide5 and has been awarded an overall five stars for excellence in the QS Stars Ratings 2019
12019 Global MBA Rankings, CEO Magazine. 22019 Australian Financial Review, BOSS Survey. 32018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 4ARWU World University Subject Rankings 2019. 5UniSA Business School is one of just ten institutions in Australia and 187 globally to be accredited by EQUIS (from over 16,500 worldwide). EFMD, October 2019.
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 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 for advanced 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.
What you'll learn
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 Business School and University.
Study hours
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.
Assessment
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:
- case studies and reports
- essays and assignments
- examinations
- an industry-relevant project
- an oral or online presentation
- a journal or a portfolio
Research
The UniSA Business School is recognised and respected for a comprehensive research program inspired by the contemporary challenges facing Australia and its region. Our focus is always on finding practical solutions and creating new knowledge.
Our commitment to research with an industry focus is unprecedented. We work closely with industry to generate high quality research that informs our teaching curriculum and tackles real-world problems. We are renowned for our concentration of global thought-leaders and academic experts in the areas of 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 with particular strengths in business and management and marketing. Read more about our strengths in research.
Timetable
The MBA is offered across four study periods each year.
2020 MBA teaching period dates:
- Study Period 1 (Term 1) 13 January - 20 March
- Study Period 3 (Term 2) 6 April - 12 June
- Study Period 4 (Term 3) 29 June - 4 September
- Study Period 6 (Term 4) 21 September - 27 November
Why Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
The University of South Australia Business School is ranked in the top one per cent worldwide1 and our 5-Star MBA2 is recognised and respected globally for its excellence.
Our MBA has also been ranked in the top ten MBA programs in Australia for the past 12 years3. It offers a dynamic, engaging and completely flexible degree that delivers invaluable networking opportunities, preparing you to think and act as a global business leader.
As part of this degree you can complete the Company Directors Course, offered in a unique partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Two-week global study tours are also available including trips to China or the European Summer School of Advanced Management.
We understand the demands of a busy lifestyle so ensure you have the flexibility to tailor your studies with the option to learn full-time, part-time, face-to-face (including evening classes and intensives), online or in mixed mode.
If you are driven to create new solutions, lead innovative teams and deliver exceptional results in the context of disruptive change and global uncertainty, an MBA from UniSA is the next step for you.
1UniSA Business School is one of just ten institutions in Australia and 187 globally to be accredited by EQUIS (from over 16,500 worldwide). EFMD, October 2019. 2Awarded by the Graduate Management Association of Australia (GMAA) for ten consecutive years. 32019 Australian Financial Review, BOSS Survey.
Real-world connections
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
View From the Top is an exclusive seminar and networking series connecting executives and thought-leaders with our MBA and postgraduate students and alumni. Presenters share leadership and industry insights as they advance debate on issues that affect the business world and our society.
Executive Partners Program
The Executive Partners Program is a unique mentoring opportunity where you will be paired with a senior executive (CEO or Senior Manager) with proven leadership, managerial expertise and vast business networks. Partners have worked for companies such as Alcoa, BP, Commonwealth Bank, CSR, ExxonMobil, Mitsubishi and SA Health. Every year, two students are invited to participate in an intensive three-week international student exchange with the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg in the US.
Human Resource Management specialisation
Designed and taught by academics actively involved in industry collaborative research, the Human Resource Management specialisation is relevant, practical and applicable to today’s environment.
The curriculum draws on international research and UniSA’s wealth of professional connections, both locally and abroad. 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
Hear from our graduates
Industry facts
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.
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 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, open doors to new possibilities and experiences. The UniSA Business School 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.
Student services
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.
24/7 digital environment
This degree is offered online. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle. You can:
- study online, including accessing 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 learnonline 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 your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Please note some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any requirements like this are detailed on individual course pages.
Your program director
I am a true believer that we all possess leadership skills innately and programs such as the Master of Business Administration are critical in bringing those skills to the fore and enhancing them. Partnering industry and academia ensures we are not only developing the skills of today but also the leadership skills required for the future.
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How do I apply?
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in 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 (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
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Where can I get further information?
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.
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, General Manager: People and Culture
Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
Employment: Elders Limited
I have worked in private industry, secondary and higher education and taught overseas. Maintaining contact with the business community is very important to me, which is why I am a long standing member of the Australian Institute of Training and Development. This connection provides support to and informs the Human Resources Management degree at UniSA.
Dr Jane Burdett
The UniSA MBA gave me the opportunity to expand my skills and broaden my knowledge of the executive business environment. I also had the privilege of being the first recipient of UniSA’s WiMBA scholarship. This initiative not only supports diversity for women in leadership, but also gives women the confidence to progress into executive roles. I hope my participation in this program will help address leadership inequality within industries like mine and empower others to strive for the same.”
Cheree Figg, Port Manager - Darwin
Master of Business Administration
Employment: Svitzer Australasia
