Executive MBA
The Executive MBA has been designed for individuals with serious ambition about where their career will go next. It offers a rich, contemporary, and dynamic learning experience, enabling you to develop innovative solutions to leadership challenges by exploring complex issues with your peers.
Ranked #1 MBA in South Australia for Career Impact*
*AFR BOSS Magazine Best Business School rankings 2023, Career Impact
Access to the Executive MBA Alumni Network, our exclusive community of business leaders
Capped class sizes for an immersive classroom environment and personalised learning experience
The Executive MBA experience
- As one of Australia’s few MBA programs with 100% faculty possessing current business experience, you'll gain practical insights and real-world connections, ensuring valuable, applicable knowledge for career advancement.
- Benefit from face-to-face delivery and purpose-built facilities, including smart classrooms and the MBA lounge.
- Ranked #1 in South Australia for Career Impact, the program covers essential areas like finance, innovation, strategic management, leadership, and marketing, prioritising practical insights and real-world applications.
- Connect with peers from diverse industries and join a prestigious global network of Executive MBA alumni.
- Access financial support through a variety of specialised scholarships and FEE-HELP options.
- Delve into the strategic challenges and opportunities facing business leaders in our 2-day offsite "Fundamentals of Leadership" experience
- First business school in SA with AACSB accreditation (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)
The skills you need to advance and excel in your career
Download a Brochure
David Mallett, Executive Director, Yanun Project Services
“The Adelaide Business School to me has provided the opportunity and the polish to be able to have the confidence to start my own business. Everything I’m doing today to mature the business and innovate within it, a lot of those tools I’ve picked up in the MBA. It opened doors and connected me with some pretty amazing people in the industry”
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What you'll study
The Executive MBA program consists of nine core courses and two elective options, that will help you develop a well-rounded skill set, and a deep understanding of management principles through our tried and proven curriculum that ensures our graduates are fully equipped to make an impact.
A shorter 8 course (Graduate Diploma) and 4 course (Graduate Certificate) option is also available to those seeking a shorter qualification.
Courses Executive MBA Graduate Diploma Graduate Certificate Fundamentals of Leadership x x x Marketing Management x x x Accounting for Managers x x x Elective 1 x x x Managing Contemporary Organisations x x Managerial Finance x x Business Analytics for Managers x x Elective 2 x x Strategic Management x Innovation and Entrepreneurship x Elective 3 x Enterprise Project x A full list of courses for the Executive MBA can be reviewed on Degree Finder.
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements for the Executive MBA can be reviewed on Degree Finder
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Flexible study mode
The Executive MBA program is designed to accommodate the needs of busy professionals, providing maximum flexibility to customise your schedule around your needs – whether it’s long work hours or family commitments. Classes include:
- Weekly evening classes
- Monthly weekend intensives (Friday/Saturday)
- Optional MBA summer school for two weeks in January
You have the option to pause your studies at any time, and can complete the program in as little as 1.5 years, up to five years.
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Cohort profile
The Executive MBA program fosters a diverse class profile, with a small class delivery model that places significance on active participation and the individual. Our classes provoke intelligent discussion and provide a place for you to network and forge deep connections with other aspiring business leaders.
Cohort profile:
- Average age of our students is 36
- 96% of students maintain full time work whilst studying
- Top 10 industry backgrounds:
- Health Services
- Finance & Insurance
- Government Departments
- Education
- Defence
- Engineering
- Communications & Technology Services
- Construction & Architecture
- Mining
- Manufacturing
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Scholarships and fees
Fees for the Executive MBA program are charged incrementally on a ‘pay as you go’ basis at the start of each trimester based on your enrolment. A breakdown of the indicative fee is available on Degree Finder
Scholarships available
Scholarship support for the Executive MBA program is funded by the Adelaide Business School across a range of categories to ensure our program is accessible to all candidates who have the capability and drive to undertake MBA studies.Read through our full list of rules and eligibility.
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Alumni network
By joining the University of Executive MBA program you become part of an exclusive community of leaders.
Our MBA Alumni network contains nearly 5,000 past and current students and staff. It has a significant presence in South Australia and its reach also transcends borders. Members are based across Australia and the globe, including in our Singapore, Hong Kong and UK chapters.
The MBA Alumni Network’s mission is to strengthen the University of Adelaide’s Business School and its graduates through connection, learning, advocacy and support of the next generation of leaders.
As a member of our MBA alumni community, you’ll get exclusive invitations to our in-person and online events. This includes business breakfasts, webinars and cocktail events. Allowing our MBA Alumni members to engage in lifelong learning, join the latest industry conversations and stay connected.Between events or across borders, our MBA Alumni keep in touch through our private LinkedIn community.
Joining the University of Adelaide MBA gains you lifelong entry into a network of some of the most outstanding leaders our state has produced. A community of leaders across all industry types and who are always looking to help pave the way for those still to come.
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World class opportunities
Our students have the opportunity to study at some of the world’s highest profile business schools by undertaking a study exchange with one of our international MBA partner institutions.
Our exchange experience has been specifically designed to provide a valuable opportunity for you to develop an understanding of international business and network with MBA students from around the world without having to extend the duration of your studies or pay additional course fees.
Learn more about our current opportunities below:
University Program Aarhus School of Business, Denmark Summer School Program Aalto University, Finland MBA Courses HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Germany Doing Business In Europe The University of Glasgow, UK ESSAM Study Abroad For further information, please visit the Study Overseas website.
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Course credit
You may be eligible for course credit on the basis of previous study, with all credit applications assessed by the Program Director and Program Advisor on an individual basis.
Commonly accepted qualifications include:
- Relevant postgraduate studies
- CPA Accreditation or Chartered Accountants of Australia & New Zealand Membership
- Professional Management Program
- Professional Certificate in Defence Industry Leadership
- Selected Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) courses.
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Critical dates
The Executive MBA courses are offered in trimester mode with rolling intakes for this degree in January, May, and September each year.
Trimester
Scholarships close Applications close Classes commence Trimester 1 2025 6 January 2025 20 January 2025 3 February 2025 Trimester 2 2025 21 April 2025 12 May 2025 26 May 2025 Trimester 3 2025 4 August 2025 25 August 2025 8 September 2025 -
How to apply
Domestic applicants:
Submit a SATAC application
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the MBA Program Director.
International applicants:
International applicants can apply through an agent, or without an agent through StudyLink.
MBA scholarship applications:
To apply for a scholarship please submit an application online including the following documentation:
- Current CV (including the contact details of two business referees)
- Academic transcript (if applicable)
Melanie Cottell, Commercial Capability Manager, BAE Systems
"I chose to study the Executive MBA as it is business-related and diverse in its application and relevant to many roles; particularly at senior level. It gave me the confidence to successfully reapply for executive roles, as well as contributing to board positions after being away from the workforce."