Australia's top online MBA programmes compared

​Four Australian online MBA programmes feature in the QS Online MBA Rankings 2024. If you’re an international student living in southeast Asia, Australia may be a lot easier to travel to for residential electives or networking than similar courses in the US or Europe. Plus, you can get a fantastic education, usually at a lower price than at American institutions.

The online MBA (MBAX) from the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) is ranked fourth in the world and is the only Australian programme to make it into the global top 10. It’s a very well-established online MBA programme – a recognition which Professor Nick Wailes, AGSM Director and Deputy Dean of the UNSW Business School, says helps the school continuously innovate the course content:

“Our background and experience mean that we are well positioned to innovate and take advantage of new technologies that can enhance student learning as they emerge. We are constantly evolving our model to make it the best possible learning experience.”

There are several subject areas that students can choose from when studying an online MBA at AGSM. There is a general option which allows students to explore all area of business however there are also specialisations available such as:

• Change
• Finance
• Law
• Policy Leadership
• Social Impact
• Sustainable and inclusive business
• Technology

The school’s Online MBA programme earned high scores across the board, especially for faculty and teaching where it ranks first in the country. The programme includes compulsory starter courses in leadership and strategy, followed by four core courses, six specialisation courses, and a strategic consulting project or an international exchange at any PIM (Partnership in International Management) or GNAM (Global Network for Advanced Management) school, of which AGSM is a member.

Wailes emphasises how the option of specialising contributes to the programme’s appeal: “The opportunity to combine the breadth of an MBA program with depth in a particular area of focus helps set MBAX apart.”

All applicants at AGSM must have a completed undergraduate degree (or the international equivalent) and at least two years of professional work experience. They will need to show proof of academic excellence, either through a particularly high grade in their undergraduate degree from an Australian or international top-ranked university or through strong GMAT or GRE test scores.

The tuition fees for a MBAX degree varies depending on the specialisation and whether the applicant is a domestic or international student.

• MBAX (General): $60,660 - $72,900 AUD for domestic students (around £31,950 - £38,350 GBP or $40,300 - $48,400 USD) and $64,080 - $72,900 AUD for international students (around £33,700 - £38,350 GBP or $42,550 - $48,400 USD)
• MBAX (Change): $64,080 AUD (around £33,750 GBP or $42,550 USD)
• MBAX (Finance): $64,080 AUD (around £33,750 GBP or $42,550 USD)
• MBAX (Law): $61,500 - $63,640 AUD for domestic students (around £32,400 - £33,000 GBP or $40,850 - $41,600 USD) and $69,000 - $72,360 AUD (around £46,300 - £38,100 GBP or $45,850 - $48,050 USD)
• MBAX (Social Impact): $60,660 AUD for domestic students (around £31,950 GBP or $40,300 USD) and $74,160 AUD for international students (around £39,000 GBP or $49,250 USD)
• MBAX (Sustainable and Inclusive Business): $62,940 - $64,080 AUD for domestic students (around £33,100 - £33,700 GBP or $41,750 - $42,500 USD) and $64,080 - $67,440 AUD (around £33,700 - £45,450 GBP or $42,500 - $44,750 USD)
• MBAX (Technology): $64,080 AUD (around £33,750 GBP or $42,550 USD)

It is important to note that these prices are for the 2024 intake. Prices will vary from year to year. For the most recent prices, visit the university's official website.

2) Macquarie Business School

Next is the online MBA from Macquarie Business School, which is ranked joint 29^th in the world and second in Australia.

The Global MBA wants to challenge the idea of a conventional MBA through an innovative curriculum formed around 10 core modules, two elective modules and four flexible modules. These cover topics such as accounting, economics, management, strategy, leadership, negotiation, analytics, innovation, marketing, entrepreneurship and social responsibility.

In order to apply, candidates must have completed an undergraduate degree with a minimum AQF level of 7, a WAM score of 65 or the international equivalent. They must also have at least three years of professional work experience and possess an IELTS certificate with a score of 7.0 overall if English isn’t their first language with a minimum score of 6 in each area.

The tuition fee for the 2024 intake is $44,500 (around £23,400 GBP or $29,550 USD).

3) RMIT University

The online MBA at RMIT University is ranked 38^th in the world and third in Australia. The online MBA is based on their Cloud ‘campus’ – an interactive learning platform – with face-to-face interaction taking place on their Melbourne campus.

MBA students can begin their studies in January, March, May, July, August and October. To complete the MBA, students must attain a total of 12 modules, consisting of six core units and six elective units. This should take 2 years to complete, but there is a level of flexibility.

Professor Mike Ewing, Executive Dean and Vice President of Deakin University’s Faculty of Business & Law, is keen to emphasise how Deakin's long-running experience with distance learning shapes the delivery and experience of the course for students:

"Distance education is built into our culture and our DNA. Our staff understand distance learners and how to teach well in an online environment. We know it’s more than just ‘technology’ and ‘an online platform’ – it’s about an attitude and orientation toward understanding that those not able to be present on campus deserve the same level of attention and experience as those who come on-campus."

The course has an English language requirement, with candidates need proof of proficiency from an approved English language test such as IELTS or TOEFL. You must also either have a bachelor’s degree from an Australian university with a minimum GPA of 1.0 or the international equivalent or a GMAT test with a score of 550. You may also be admitted with a graduate certificate in a related discipline and five years of managerial experience.

The tuition fees for the 2024 intakes are $56,160 AUD (around £29,550 GBP or $37,350 USD).

4) La Trobe University

La Trobe University is ranked in 52^nd place, achieving a high score in the employability indicator. Dr Geraldine Kennett, director of the MBA programme at La Trobe, enthuses about how the university works to ensure an enjoyable experience for students:

“Our online MBA programme is designed for building peer-to-peer learning and professional relationships using interactive weekly video conferencing. A high-performing team of dedicated lecturers - many of whom work in or have connections with industry – put the student experience at the core of what they do.”

The course takes between 18 months to complete, with intakes in March, April, July, September and November. The course is offered online, on-campus or as a blended programme and candidates are expected to complete eight core subjects and four elective subjects across the two-year period. Students are able to tailor their MBA experience to their interests as the course is offered with specialisations such as cybersecurity, data analytics, governance, international management and applied digital health. The online MBA is renowned for being ‘green’, placing a focus on sustainability.

You will need an Australian bachelor’s degree with a minimum WAM of 60 (or international equivalent) and a minimum of three years’ relevant postgraduate managerial experience.

The tuition fees for the 2024 intake are $37,000 AUD (around £19,500 GBP or $24,700 USD).