Adelaide MBA Scholarships

Scholarship support for the Adelaide 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. 

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Scholarships may be offered to candidates who can demonstrate academic excellence by attaining a high GMAT score or GPA from previous undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

The Academic Excellence scholarship will cover between 10% - 25% of the MBA tuition fees for a maximum of 12 courses (36 units) of study.

Score Scholarship Amount
GMAT of 650 or above Up to 25%
GPA of 6 or above Up to 10%

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Evidence of a GMAT score of 650 and above or GPA of 6 (equivalent to a distinction average) and above on a completed tertiary level qualification
  • A statement addressing how the Adelaide MBA will assist you to further your leadership potential, and how your academic excellence will positively impact the classroom experience

Scholarships may be offered to candidates who can demonstrate the ability to champion or develop initiatives to benefit their community. Candidates who have a particular commitment and passion for social causes and giving back to the community outside of the expectations of their paid role are particularly encouraged to apply.

The Community Achievement scholarship will cover up to 50% of the MBA tuition fees for a maximum of 12 courses (36 units) of study.

Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • A statement addressing how the Adelaide MBA will assist you to further your leadership potential, and how your knowledge and experience will contribute to the classroom environment
  • A statement outlining your contribution to community initiatives or social causes, including relevant achievements and outcomes you have directly been responsible for.
  • If you work for a Not for Profit or volunteer organisation, please outline why you have chosen to work for this organisation and why you are passionate about their cause
  • A referee report

Scholarships may be offered to candidates who can demonstrate financial hardship impacting their ability to fund MBA studies due to their employment situation, travel requirements or adverse circumstances. Examples of potential eligibility include:

  • Change in employment status or redundancy affecting the ability to fund studies
  • Living in a regional location which necessitates extensive travel to attend classes, compounding the cost and time commitment required to undertake MBA studies
  • Permanent Residency affecting access to funding assistance and/or Fee-Help
  • Other extenuating circumstances which inhibit a candidate’s ability to commence MBA studies without funding assistance

The Financial Need scholarship will cover up to 50% of the MBA tuition fees for a maximum of 12 courses (36 units) of study.

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • A statement addressing how the Adelaide MBA will assist you to further your leadership potential, and how your knowledge and experience will contribute to the classroom environment
  • A statement outlining how financial assistance will enable you to complete your studies
  • A referee report

Scholarships may be offered to candidates who can demonstrate outstanding leadership potential including but not limited to holding a senior position at a young age or leading an innovative project for an organisation.

The Emerging Leaders scholarship will cover up to 50% of the MBA tuition fees for a maximum of 12 courses (36 units) of study.

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • A statement addressing how the Adelaide MBA will assist you to further your leadership potential, and how your knowledge and experience will contribute to the classroom environment
  • A detailed personal statement outlining your suitability for an Emerging Leadership scholarship, providing details of relevant achievements and outcomes of note that have been a direct result of your leadership
  • A referee report 

Scholarships may be offered to candidates who reside in a country outside of Australia or have relocated to Australia and can demonstrate how their international perspective will benefit the classroom experience. Examples of potential eligibility include:

  • International candidates living abroad with extensive business experience, interested in relocating to Adelaide to undertake MBA studies
  • International citizens currently living in Adelaide with international business experience

The International scholarship will cover up to 25% of the MBA tuition fees for a maximum of 12 courses (36 units) of study.

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • A statement addressing how the Adelaide MBA will assist you to further your leadership potential, and how your knowledge and experience will contribute to the classroom environment, with a focus on your international perspective.
  • Evidence of international residency
  • High-level work experience and/or a strong academic background including a high IELTS score or GPA
  • A referee report 

Scholarships may be offered to candidates of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who can demonstrate leadership qualities in their workplace or community.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander incentive will cover up to 100% of the MBA tuition fees for a maximum of 12 courses (36 units) of study.

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • A statement addressing how the Adelaide MBA will assist you to further your leadership potential, and how your knowledge and experience will contribute to the classroom environment
  • A statement outlining how the Adelaide MBA will help you to develop and lead initiatives within your workplace or community
  • A referee report
  • Confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Descent

The Staff Scholarship is available to eligible University of Adelaide staff interested in MBA studies and covers up to 25% of MBA tuition fees for a maximum of 12 courses (36 units) of study.

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Are employed either full-time or part-time (greater than 0.5FTE);
  • Have completed a minimum of 12 months continuous service at the University of Adelaide;
  • Are employed on a continuing contract or who hold a fixed-term appointment, provided they are employed on a minimum two-year contract and have at least 12 months remaining on their contract.

Candidates must include a statement from their supervisor/line manager, confirming that they meet the scholarship requirements.

Industry Leaders Fund is an external scholarship available for domestic students.

Eligibility:

  • External scholarship opportunities are available and can be applied for in conjunction with the previously listed scholarships.
  • External scholarships are governed separately to the MBA specific scholarships and are subject to alternate rules and requirements.
  • Any enquiries in regards external funding opportunities should be referred directly to the organisation responsible for that scholarship

MBA Alumni Scholarship is an external scholarship available for domestic and internationals candidates.

Eligibility: 

  • External scholarship opportunities are available and can be applied for in conjunction with the previously listed scholarships.
  • External scholarships are governed separately to the MBA specific scholarships and are subject to alternate rules and requirements.
  • Any enquiries in regards external funding opportunities should be referred directly to the organisation responsible for that scholarship

Rules & eligibility 

  • To be eligible for a scholarship, an applicant must have made a formal application for entry into the Adelaide MBA Program. 
  • Applicants for the Online MBA, MBA Emerging Leaders or MBA Specialisations are not eligible to apply for these scholarships. 
  • Scholarship applications must be submitted by the application deadline of the trimester an applicant is applying for entry into the Adelaide MBA program.
  • A student cannot hold two or more scholarships simultaneously.
  • If a student accepts a scholarship and then defers commencement of their studies, they must apply to the MBA Program Director for approval to have the scholarship deferred for up to a maximum of 12 months. 
  • All Adelaide MBA scholarships apply for a period of 5 years from admission into the program. If a student requires additional time for completion of their studies, they must apply to the MBA Program Director for approval to have the scholarship extended for a specified period of time.
  • If a student withdraws from, or is not enrolled in the Adelaide MBA program for a period of 12 months or longer, either by electing to exit with a lesser degree or through a leave of absence, the scholarship will cease.
  • Each available scholarship will only cover the minimum number of courses required for a student to be eligible to graduate with the program in which they are enrolled: Adelaide Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (12 units), Adelaide Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (24 units) and Adelaide Master of Business Administration (36 units).
  • If a student does not successfully complete a course, either by receiving an overall fail grade or withdrawing during the Withdraw No Fail (WNF) or Withdraw Fail (WF) periods, or receiving a retrospective WNF due to extenuating circumstances, the scholarship will not cover completion of any required additional courses including repeating a core course.
  • Please note, the Adelaide MBA scholarship applies to tuition fees only and excludes the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), required course textbooks and any other university fees.

How to apply

An application for admission into the Adelaide MBA program must accompany all scholarships applications. 

Please note that you can apply for a scholarship in one category only.

You will receive notification of the outcome of your application in the fortnight following the application deadline for the trimester.  

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