Requirements
To satisfy a total of 96 UOC requirements for the award of the MBA, students must successfully complete within the specified time limits:
- All required core courses to equal 54 units of credit (UOC)
- 42 UOC of electives
Students who transferred from the Graduate Diploma of Management (GDM) or the Hong Kong GDM or MBA programs, are subject to different completion requirements. Clarification is available from the Program Office where required.
Time limit
MBA students are expected to complete the program within 18 months of initial enrolment. Students transferring from other programs must complete the MBA within a maximum of 7 years of their first course enrolment in the Graduate Certificate in Change Management (GCCM), GDM or the Hong Kong Graduate Diploma in Management (HKGDM).
Attendance
Please read the class attendance protocol under the enrolment information section.
Study load (full-time)
The normal course load for a full-time student is 18 to 24 UOC per session. However, full-time students may enrol in a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 24 UOC per session.
Study load (part-time)
Occasionally, MBA students encounter circumstances that make it difficult for them to continue full-time study. After completion of the core courses, students may apply to the Program Office to study part-time, but should note that this may affect their eligibility to participate in the international exchange program.
Overload
Variation from the normal load may be obtained in special cases, according to the following guidelines. To overload (ie, enrol in more than 24 UOC in one session), a student must gain approval from the Program Office and meet the following criteria:
- Completion of at least two sessions of study for which grades are available
- A balance in the student's areas of academic success
- A Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65% on courses taken to date
- Demonstration of good cause for the overload
Please note: Approval for overload will only be given where the results of a minimum of two sessions are available. Students will be required to pay the current course fees for each extra course taken.
MBA structure
Core courses
Core courses are the prerequisite courses for study in a particular field.
Electives
Students are required to complete 42 UOC of electives. This may vary for students tranferring to the MBA after the GDM or HKGDM*.
* Some core courses may be prescribed for GDM or HKGDM transfer students.
Prerequisites and assumed knowledge
Some courses have prerequisites and assumed knowledge. These are specified in the full course outline. For elective courses, these often include completion of an RPL or the equivalent core course.
External courses
Students are permitted to take up to 12 UOC in external postgraduate courses to count towards their MBA degree. Each enrolment in an external course requires approval from the Student Experience team. Please visit the Forms, policies & guidelines page for further information.
Intensive classes
Classes in intensive mode are usually held on Saturdays and/or Sundays between 9am and 5pm, but may also be held on weekdays between 6pm and 9pm.
International exchange
The international exchange program is an important component of the full-time AGSM MBA program. The application process for outgoing exchange places takes place over approximately eight weeks.
Students need to research their options carefully and be fully aware of the policies, procedures and deadlines associated with the various stages of the process. Students are advised to read the Outgoing Exchange Policy before applying to ensure they have a complete understanding of all procedures and potential issues governing the application process.
Students are encouraged to review previous student experiences from their exchange term, including information on course offerings and campus life.
Only those students with a WAM of at least 65 per cent at the time of application submission are eligible to apply for exchange.
Students must have completed two consecutive sessions of study as a full-time MBA student (or within the GDM or Hong Kong Programs) by the time their exchange period commences. Only students enrolled in the elective phase of the MBA are eligible to go on exchange.
Students must maintain a full-time study load (minimum of 18 UOC) while in the full-time MBA, in either of the two sessions prior to their exchange period.
Those with failed courses/s in the core component of the MBA are not eligible to apply for exchange. Students with outstanding fees at the time of application submission or who have breached academic conduct guidelines are not eligible to apply for exchange.
AusAID students are not eligible to apply for exchange as AusAID does not permit students to participate in exchange programs between Australian institutions and institutions in other countries.
A student may not be awarded more than 18 UOC on international exchange.
International students and visa requirements
It is the responsibility of each student to research and assess the visa requirements that are applicable to his/her own individual circumstances.
International students must consider their options carefully due to their student visa expiry date. There is no guarantee that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will approve a visa extension to re-enter Australia based on exchange participation.
International students may not select an exchange school in their home countries.
MBA study abroad program
Study abroad students share classes with Australian and international students in our Sydney based full-time MBA Program. Depending on your educational background, the program offers the following two options to cater for different audiences:
1. MBA study abroad program: Option for students enrolled at other business schools in an MBA or other business programs (MIB, MMgt, MMktg, etc).
Students from business schools or commerce and economics faculties from other institutions may enrol in elective courses only, and are subject to the relevant pre-requisite requirements of those elective courses. Students may enrol in a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 24 UOC per session. Visa restrictions may apply.
2. Foundation MBA study abroad program: Option for non-business students.
Non-business background students enrol in session 1 only and must complete the required core courses.
Program length
The length of the MBA study abroad program is usually one session (13 weeks). Students are recommended to arrive at least one week prior to the beginning of courses.
A mandatory orientation day will be held in the week prior to the beginning of each session.
Students have the option to study for a period of two sessions (26 weeks, plus a two week break between the sessions) but need to apply for it before they commence the program, due to Australian visa regulations. Once commenced an extension of the program is not possible.
Individual Study in Management
Students may select a business topic to research under the supervision of an AGSM MBA Program faculty member. This one-to-one working arrangement allows the student to carry out in-depth analysis of a topic relevant to his or her career aspirations.
A student may do an Individual Study in Management if:
- The student has a good academic record (with a minimum of a high credit average)
- The study is in an area relevant to management
- The topic is in some way relevant to the student’s career aspirations
- A suitable AGSM MBA Program faculty member, or members, are available to supervise the work
Management projects
Management projects offer MBA candidates who have completed their core courses real opportunities in businesses.
Teams collaborate with corporate managers and AGSM MBA Program academics to apply conceptual frameworks and global best practice to management challenges and finding practical solutions for companies.
Students are supported in the completion of their project by an academic supervisor and the Management Projects Coordinator.