Partnering with industry to champion
leadership diversity

The University of South Australia proudly supports aspirational and high achieving women as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians with the Women in MBA (WiMBA) and Aboriginal MBA (AMBA) partnership scholarships.

As a leading business education provider, our mission is to develop graduates for global careers and champion business growth in South Australia. We recognise that sustainable economic development requires greater gender and cultural diversity in leadership.

To support this mission, we are proud to offer the Women in MBA (WiMBA) and Aboriginal MBA (AMBA) scholarships. It is well known that a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a pathway to leadership and career progression. Our dedicated scholarships actively address leadership inequality and champion women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with leadership potential to advance their careers into senior management and executive roles.

Empowering successful applicants to move into senior management and executive positions, the 5-star1 UniSA MBA delivers strategic knowledge, networking opportunities, and the latest in management thinking. 

Organisations that partner with us on this initiative demonstrate their commitment to addressing gender diversity in leadership, support the growth of talent pipelines, and foster positive economic growth.

12022 QS Stars Ratings. 

Supporting diverse leadership across the defence and space sectors

We are proud to offer a number of scholarships specifically for students entering the Global Executive MBA (Defence and Space) program.

Global Executive MBA (Defence and Space) scholarship applications for the 2025 intake close at 23:59 ACDT) Monday 24 February 2025.

For details please visit our dedicated Global Executive MBA (Defence and Space) scholarships page.

Hear from past recipients 

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

Master of Business Administration
Maritime Services, North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation

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

Master of Business Administration
Maritime Services, North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation

How does it work?

These scholarships are offered by UniSA in partnership with employers. UniSA will match an employer contribution of 50% to fully fund the scholarship recipient’s MBA tuition costs.

To maximise success, employers are required to provide flexibility in working arrangements to support study, a career mentor and supportive career pathway options, in addition to the financial contribution. 

Application process

  1. The scholarship applicant submits a scanned or an electronically signed copy of the completed scholarship application form to mba@unisa.edu.au in addition to a formal MBA application.
  2. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the scholarship selection panel.
  3. The sponsoring employer may be contacted to discuss the application.
  4. The scholarship applicant will receive a written notification from UniSA to verify the outcome of their application. 
  5. Upon receiving written confirmation, successful applicants can then enrol in the MBA.

Please refer to our frequently asked questions, or contact us if you have any further questions, before submitting your application.

Essential entry criteria

The scholarship applicant must:

  • Meet the entry criteria for the UniSA MBA program
  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • Have their application supported/endorsed by their sponsoring employer
  • Have demonstrated potential for a senior leadership role in the sponsoring employer's organisation 
  • Only applicable to Aboriginal MBA (AMBA) Scholarship applicants: be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as such by the community in which the applicant formerly lived or currently lives.

FAQs

Got questions? We're here to help!

Our friendly Future Student Enquiries team can answer your questions about applying, fees, pathway options and more.

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