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Course snapshot
International snapshot
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Start Date
January, March, April, June, August, October
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Duration
4 years part-time
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Location
SCU Online
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Placement
No
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ATAR
Not applicable
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Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
MBA
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Course code
1208100
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Credit points
192
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Equivalent units
16
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
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CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
With an online Master of Business Administration, you’ll develop both the business know-how and the practical skills to advance your career or build your own business. You’ll examine contemporary management and develop solutions to complex commercial situations all through the prism of the fast-paced, ever-evolving global digital economy.
The course is designed to enable you to get the most out of the program while fitting study seamlessly around work, family, and other priorities. It is 100% online. You can begin at one of six times throughout the year, and adjust your workload to suit your schedule. Our personalised, one-on-one support keeps you motivated and ensures you're getting the education you need. You study broadly across a comprehensive suite of business disciplines, and take one of four specialisations to gain the deep knowledge you need to enhance your professional expertise.
You'll undertake a practical research project in your workplace to reinforce your learning and to apply that learning in a real business environment. Along with specialist industry capabilities, you'll develop the soft skills employers crave and businesses need; leadership, problem solving and communication.
Four foundation units give you a solid grounding in the basic principles of business and management. If you have a relevant undergraduate degree or work experience, you could receive these as advanced standing and complete the course in two-years while studying part-time. If you want to build the foundations of your business knowledge, take the full course (16 units). You can still graduate in under three years studying part-time.
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“In every one of the units I have studied, I have learnt a concept that I can apply to real world situations. The learnings are already helping me in my job now.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Demonstrate high level critical thinking, independent judgement and the ability to reflect on self and others in a complex business environment. Design and coordinate systematic approaches to complex problem solving in a business context. |
GA2: Creativity Develop innovative solutions to complex business problems |
GA3: Ethical practice Demonstrate a critical understanding of complex ethical and socially responsible business practices informed by a global perspective |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of a body of knowledge in one or more discipline areas |
GA5: Lifelong learning Demonstrate high level critical thinking, independent judgement and the ability to reflect on self and others in a complex business environment. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Apply expert communication and collaboration skills to inform and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders |
GA7: Cultural competence Demonstrate a critical understanding of culturally appropriate business practices informed by a global perspective. |
All students study our eight core units, and all produce an industry research project, situated in their choice of industry. This enables you to apply your new skills to your existing workplace, or test the waters in an industry to which you aspire. You will learn to manage the variables inherent in the workplace, and convert your knowledge into experience. You will also select a specialisation, which helps you build substantial and specific expertise to complement the general management proficiencies you gain in the core units.
Choose from:
- Accounting
- Health Services Management
- Information and Knowledge Management
- Managing and Leading People.
If you choose, you can replace the specialisation with two elective units to acquire a less specialised but more expansive understanding of leadership and management.
Our four foundation units provide the management basics. Whether you take these units depends on your prior education and experience.
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCU Online | Summer Term, Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, Term 4, Term 5 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | N/A |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Career Outcomes
MBA graduates have more options. A recent GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey found that nine out of 10 employers across Asia-Pacific will be seeking MBA graduates to join their organisations. This is largely because of their solid preparation for management roles, in-depth problem-solving skills and professional networks.
As an MBA graduate, your new leadership and management skills will equip you for executive roles across a broad spectrum of industries, like business, finance, accounting, marketing, operations, human resources, tourism and corporate sustainability. MBAs are also highly sought after in government, and in the not-for-profit sector. For an entrepreneur or small business owner, an MBA boosts and balances your business skills, builds your network, and shows you exactly how technology and innovative practices can help you succeed.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
A 3 year Bachelor degree from any Australian university, or equivalent.
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 6.5 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Master of Business Administration (Online) students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:
- 14 core units (168 credit points), and
- 2 option units (24 credit points)
OR
- 1 specialisation (192 credit points) in Accounting or Health Services Management or Information and Knowledge Management or Managing and Leading People
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Business (Online) after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising 8 core units.
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Business (Online) after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.
Other things to consider
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
Course structure
Why study Business at Southern Cross University
Top 800 worldwide
We're ranked in the global top 800 universities for Business and Economics
THE World University Rankings by Subject 2025Specialise in Accounting
Choose an optional specialisation in Accounting
5-star ratings for business and management
We're rated 5 stars for undergraduate skills development and teaching quality
Good Universities Guide 2025Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
How can we help?
Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
Find a pathway