It can take 2 years of full-time study to complete your Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at many business schools around the world. But our MBA program gives you more options.
At UQ, you have the flexibility to choose how long it takes to complete your MBA, based on your priorities and professional goals. You can:
- fast-track your studies with our full-time 3-semester program over 1.5 years
- study part time while balancing uni with other commitments over up to 10 years
- adjust your course load as required, changing between full time and part time study throughout your degree, with the option of 3–4-week intensives and summer semesters.
Read more about how long an MBA can take from some of our graduates.
Suzanne’s full-time MBA experience
For Suzanne Wood, the decision to complete the full-time MBA wasn’t an easy one, but it was the right one. As the full-time primary carer of her 4-year-old daughter, Suzanne paused work to focus on completing her studies.
“It was the perfect time in my life to make that commitment,” she says.
“I had complete tunnel vision. It was an incredible indulgence. I couldn’t have managed it without the enormous support I received from my parents.”
While forfeiting salary to study the full-time MBA was a challenge, Suzanne found the benefits outweighed the costs.
You get out everything you put into the experience. The ability the UQ MBA has given me to design and craft the rest of my life is amazing. My horizons expanded so quickly.
Ashton’s full-time MBA experience
Ashton Tuckerman made a similar decision, putting her marketing career on hold to study the MBA full time.
“My work was so demanding, so I was fortunate to be able to make the decision to go all in and make the MBA my sole focus for 18 months," she says.
"I loved it. I loved being able to dedicate this time to the program and immerse myself in the learning."
For Ashton, studying the MBA full time meant completing one intensive course every 4 to 6 weeks. This looked like around 40 hours a week commitment of contact class hours 3–4 days a week, assessment and independent study. She also chose to complete 1 weekend intensive, which was 3 weekends over the course of a month.
But she also had the flexibility to go on a couple of overseas trips, by opting out of doing certain courses and picking them up later.
“The fact that I was able to go on these big trips that we had planned and still stick as close to my original pathway as possible is pretty amazing," says Ashton.
"I think it's wonderful that you can do the UQ MBA in any way that fits your lifestyle, and this was the way that really fit my lifestyle best.”
Ashton believes her decision to study the MBA full time has paid off as it fast-tracked how quickly she was able to level up in her career.
“I saw the UQ MBA as an investment in my future, my future earnings, my future career, my potential. After successfully getting a new general manager role, which increased my salary, I found my MBA paid for itself.”
Helen’s part-time MBA experience
As a manager in the health industry, Helen Barker used the flexibility of the MBA to her advantage. She successfully balanced studying with parenting two children and working full time to maintain a successful career.
“I found the part-time MBA very flexible,” she says.
“I did half of my MBA before having kids, the other half of the program after. Because my husband was FIFO (fly in, fly out) and away every second week for 7 days, I had to bring my kid into class on weekend sessions and during my industry project course.
“The staff and students were very accommodating. Sometimes I’d be on mute in group meetings that went for 3 hours while I was doing the night-time routine with my children.”
Having a variety of study options to choose from meant Helen could complete the program on her terms, without having to wait to do any subjects.
Although I had less time to spend on my studies after having kids, it made me appreciate everything I learned that much more.
Tim’s flexible MBA experience
Tim Kuusik moved through the first portion of his studies quickly. But when he came across a career opportunity too good to pass up, his pace slowed. Tim credits the UQ MBA with helping him secure his position as General Manager at ARQ Group, a listed company with a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility.
"I would never have even been shortlisted for the role if I wasn’t studying my MBA, but I got the job," he says.
"Even though I hadn’t graduated yet, I had already developed the leadership skills and confidence to step up to a general management position. That was a pivotal moment for me."
To focus on learning the ropes of his new role, Tim reduced his study load.
I did almost 80% of my course in the first 2 years and 20% in the remaining 4 years. UQ had the flexibility to change with me. I don’t think I would have got that level of support anywhere else.
Matthew’s flexible MBA experience
“One of the things that helped me juggle my competing priorities was the variable course delivery. I took a couple of subjects on weeknights if I thought I needed a greater amount of time to learn.
“Conversely, I found the weekend intensives over a 6-week period to be quite useful for me. I also did a number of week-and-a-half intensive courses.
"The flexibility of the program allows you to fit the subjects into your schedule to match your current priorities.”
How long does an MBA take? Choose the UQ MBA for ultimate flexibility.
With part-time and full-time MBA study options available, UQ's flexible MBA empowers you to decide how long it takes.
And if you start the MBA and your circumstances change along the way, it’s possible to exit early with a graduate certificate if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Ready to learn how to complete the UQ MBA in a timeframe that suits your goals and schedule?
Explore the UQ MBA program Discuss your options with our friendly team
