Jaqquline Lawrie, 27 May, 2024 | L-R: QUT MBA graduate Kush Sami with QUT Professor Amisha Mehta
If you are considering postgraduate study but are unsure which degree is best suited to your career goals, you have come to the right place.
Our range of postgraduate business degrees cater to professionals at various stages of their careers. Whether you are an experienced professional looking to specialise your knowledge or a leader looking to build your influence and elevate your career, we have options tailored to suit your needs.
In this article, we’ll explore two of our postgraduate business degrees: the Master of Business and MBA. We'll share their similarities and key differences, to help you make your next career move.
Degree overview
When researching which degree is right for you, the array of options in the postgraduate business market can be tricky to navigate. There are numerous choices available, each offering unique opportunities for career advancement. To begin this article, we’ll delve into what our Master of Business and MBA programs are and what you can expect.
What is a Master of Business?
Our Master of Business is a customisable degree designed for recent graduates or professionals who want to specialise in a particular area of expertise. It's a perfect choice for those who wish to change their career path or deepen their knowledge in their current field of business.
As part of QUT’s Master of Business, students can specialise in areas such as applied finance, human resource management, integrated marketing communication, international business, management, marketing, professional accounting, or a combination of these areas through our customised offering.
James Cheetham, an alumnus of Master of Business (Applied Finance) and the Associate Portfolio Manager of Sustainable Investments at the Australian Retirement Trust, credits his degree for providing him with the specialised knowledge and expertise required for a successful transition between roles and career advancement.
“I've worked in superannuation for over 12 years and wanted to step into a front office investment role,” he said.
“To do this, I knew I needed a solid academic grounding in financial markets and portfolio theory.
“The QUT Master of Business helped equip me with this knowledge and skills to support this career move."
What is an MBA?
Our MBA is a degree specifically designed for seasoned professionals who have already established their careers with years of experience. It welcomes individuals from various, diverse industries seeking to enhance their career potential, develop their leadership capabilities, and expand their professional networks.
What sets it apart from our Master of Business is its emphasis on shaping individuals into resilient, confident, and adaptable leaders capable of navigating the myriad complexities of the modern business world. It equips students with a breadth of knowledge and skills across all business disciplines, empowering business leaders to make well-informed and strategic decisions that drive organisational success.
Kwan Lee, an MBA alumnus and Principal Advisor at Rio Tinto, highlighted the leadership units in QUT's MBA program helped to enhance his leadership capabilities.
“QUT’s MBA has helped me to leverage my strengths, navigate complexity with confidence, and develop crucial leadership skills,” he said.
“If you're looking to challenge yourself and invest in your personal and professional growth, studying an MBA at QUT is definitely worth it."
Course duration and delivery
Course duration and delivery are additional factors that differentiate our Master of Business from our MBA. To cater to the diverse needs of our students, we have customised the course delivery for each program.
How long does a Master of Business take, and how is it delivered?
For our Master of Business, the standard completion is 1.5-2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time. However, if you qualify for advanced standing based on prior learning, you could graduate sooner.
The entry requirements for our Master of Business include a recognised bachelor's degree with a passing GPA of 4.0. Meeting these criteria allows you to seamlessly transition from your undergraduate studies to our Master of Business. Additionally, if you have substantial work experience and meet the prerequisites, you may be eligible for our accelerated 1.5 or 1-year program.
Moreover, if you've completed our Graduate Certificate in Business within the last seven years, you could receive 48 credits for prior learning, shortening your degree duration to just 1 year.
Our Master of Business offers flexible course delivery, accommodating your work and life commitments, with flexible study options and online learning available.
Zoe Baker, a Master of Business alumnus and Business Partner for APAC at Shopify, found the flexible study options and online delivery invaluable as she balanced her professional and personal responsibilities.
“When I studied my Master of Business (Human Resource Management), I was working part-time and on maternity leave with two kids under the age of two,” she said.
“The university staff, tutors and lecturers were incredibly supportive throughout.
“I was able to study with flexibility at my own pace, and felt valued and recognised.”
How long does it take to get an MBA, and how is it delivered?
Similarly, our MBA also offers flexible study options, allowing completion in 1.5 years full-time, or between 2 – 4 years part-time. What differentiates our MBA from our Master of Business is its contemporary timetable, which breaks away from the traditional semester structure. Unlike most university degrees, our MBA operates on 6, 7-week teaching periods per year, allowing you the flexibility to study all year round, or when best suits you.
Designed with your professional commitments in mind, classes are also conveniently scheduled on weeknights outside of regular working hours. Held in-person at our Gardens Point campus, our MBA delivery promotes a collaborative learning style, fostering teamwork among like-minded, ambitious, and successful peers, and enabling students to expand their professional networks through their MBA.
Romin Nejad, MBA alumnus and General Manager at Epic Environmental highlighted the collaborative learning delivery and diverse cohort as the most valuable aspects of his MBA experience at QUT.
"I worked closely with fellow students from various backgrounds, such as paramedics, teachers, insurance brokers, CEOs, and more," he said.
"Interacting with students from different professions gave me a deeper understanding of how other technical professionals approach challenges and find solutions.
"This has been particularly helpful in my career as an Environmental Consultant, where I often work with individuals with varying technical expertise."
Career outcomes
Studying a postgraduate business degree opens the door to a world of opportunities. For many, the primary motivation is advancing their career. Whether you aim to become an expert in your field, fast-track your career trajectory, climb the corporate ladder, or achieve all three, the options are abundant. So, what awaits you when you undertake a Master of Business or an MBA?
What job opportunities are there for Master of Business graduates?
Our Master of Business program is tailored to equip you with the knowledge, expertise, and skills needed to become an expert in your chosen field. It's the perfect choice for those seeking to change their career path or deepen their knowledge in their current field of business. Whether you're aiming to specialise or broaden your horizons, this program offers an excellent pathway to achieve your goals. Please click here for a detailed breakdown of career outcomes in each specific study area.
How will an MBA further your career goals?
Completing an MBA is a transformative experience that will leave you feeling empowered, confident and capable of making the best business decisions for your organisation and department. If you’re looking to develop your leadership and drive change, our MBA can fast-track your success. Every industry demands competent and confident leaders, and our MBA is designed to transform your thinking, broaden your capability set and equip you for effective leadership.
Snapshot of both programs
Master of Business | MBA |
Duration: 1-4 years | Duration: 1.5-4 years |
Study mode: Flexible | Study mode: Flexible |
Course delivery: Online or in-person | Course delivery: Weekly weeknight workshops |
Designed for: Our Master of Business is designed for professionals seeking career advancement and specialised knowledge in a specific area of business. | Designed for: Our MBA is designed for experienced professionals across diverse industries who aspire to become confident, self-assured leaders. |
Ready to elevate your career?
Interested in learning more about our postgraduate business programs and taking the next step in your career? Explore each program and what they offer through the links below:
The information in this article is current as of 13 May 2024.