MBA FAQs: all your questions answered

An MBA equips you with the frameworks, practical tools and applied experience to become a business leader, manager, executive or entrepreneur. MBA graduates have learned to consider the holistic big picture while also being able to execute or oversee the important details.

Your MBA degree will cover topics ranging from innovative thinking and strategy to business analysis and using technology like AI to maximise business value with an ethical, sustainable lens.

Some of the key capabilities you’ll develop during the UQ MBA include:

• strategic thinking and decision making
• analytical accounting management
• transformational operations design
• corporate and business financial management
• market and economic analysis for business
• customer value creation and marketing management
• dynamic team leadership
• innovation leadership.

The UQ MBA can be tailored to maximise value and support you in achieving your career goals.  Complement the key capabilities you’re learning in the MBA with an elective outside the program that aligns with your interests or career ambitions. Options include:

• any equivalent UQ master’s course approved by the MBA Director
• the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course (AICD)
• an international short term global exchange to one of our many partner institutions, including Harvard Summer School the University of Glasgow and Copenhagen Business School, as approved by the MBA Director.

At UQ, there are 3 ways you can tailor your MBA to achieve your career goals and ensure you gain maximum value from the program: 

1. Complement core subjects with an elective outside the program that aligns with your interests or career ambitions.
2. Your choice of 1, 2 or 3 signature learning courses referred to as the ‘Impact Academy,' where you’ll work with an industry partner or on a new entrepreneurial venture.
3. The option of completing a research project. 

Do you want to:

• open the door to promotions or board opportunities
• increase your earning potential
• change careers or industries
• expand your professional network
• kick-start an entrepreneurial venture
• gain in-demand business-leadership skills to elevate and future-proof your career?

If any of these outcomes line up with your career goals, there’s a good chance investing in an MBA will pay off. But completing an MBA can lead to more than professional growth. Many of our graduates report transformational personal growth, gaining the confidence to take the next step into the unknown or to lead others through uncertain futures. 

The MBA is a versatile degree, so graduates can thrive in almost any industry, taking on leadership and management roles in sectors including:

• investment/finance
• consulting
• sustainability
• data analytics
• marketing
• healthcare management
• renewable energy
• technology.

But this really is just a snapshot. Many graduates go on to become entrepreneurs, forging their own path in their chosen industry. Some of the corporate jobs you’ll be prepared for after completing an MBA include:

• chief financial officer
• chief executive officer
• chief information officer
• chief purpose officer
• chief operations officer
• business analyst
• business management consultant
• brand marketing manager
• human resources manager
• sales manager
• finance manager
• general manager
• product manager
• program manager

• operations manager.

  Read our alumni success stories to discover what’s possible with an MBA. 

The main difference between MBAs and an executive management MBA (or EMBA) is how much experience you need to be eligible for entry. Many standard MBAs are easier to get into than executive MBA programs.

This varies from business school to business school, but most MBA admissions teams expect applicants to have completed a bachelor’s degree with strong grades.

Most providers (including UQ) don’t require your bachelor’s degree to be related to business. This means an MBA can help you add an analytical business lens to your existing profession or change careers entirely.

The academic prerequisite for the MBA at UQ is any bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a 4.5 GPA. In addition to your undergraduate qualification, you will also need minimum 4 years full-time work experience including at least 2 years full-time work experience gained while working in a dedicated supervisory or management role (of people or projects).

However, if you don’t have this, you may still be able to study the MBA by completing your Graduate Certificate in Business Administration with UQ first. This alternative pathway is available if you have a substantial amount (minimum 7 years) of relevant work and including 3 years of managerial experience.

Yes, it does. As a university with one of the world’s highest-ranking MBA programs, we’re obviously a little bit biased. But the results and alumni success stories really do speak for themselves.

Firstly, attending an MBA primarily designed for face-to-face learning provides networking opportunities and shared learning moments that simply can’t be replicated in a 100% online course.

Secondly, it’s the teachers and peers that make or break an MBA. If you’re not learning from bright business minds and innovative thinkers, studying alongside students with diverse worldviews and big ideas, how can you truly challenge your thinking and gain transformative results?

Ultimately, you should enrol in an MBA that will build your network, expand your thinking and enhance your potential – not a program that just puts the letters ‘MBA’ after your name. So, yes, it absolutely matters where you study your MBA.

At most business schools, an MBA takes 2 years full time to complete, or they may offer an accelerated MBA program that can be completed in just 12 months. 

The UQ MBA has been designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to choose the study mode that suits your schedule and priorities at the time, with the option to change during your program. MBA students at UQ can:

• study an accelerated program over 1.5 years (3 semesters) or study at their own pace for up to 10 years (great for those who need more flexibility)
• study a streamlined MBA while working over 24 months (great for those who want to fast-track their careers without putting them on pause first)
• study at their own pace for up to 10 years (great for those who need more flexibility).

We won’t sugar-coat it: the MBA is a challenging program. But it’s supposed to be.

Becoming a business leader of the future shouldn’t be easy. It takes time and effort, and you’ll find yourself pushing your intellectual limits at various points of the course.

While the MBA is intellectually demanding, it’s never unreasonable. Much of the learning is undertaken through action. You’ll learn how to become a transformational leader through debate and discussion with those in the classroom and by applying what you learn to various projects.

If you have the prerequisite education and managerial experience, the MBA isn’t beyond you. Plus, our teachers and support staff are here for you every step of the way, helping you keep your study manageable so you can truly reap the rewards of this advanced generalist program.

If you haven’t studied for some time, there is support available to help you prepare for academic success. Contact our friendly admissions experts for advice.

UQ offers a range of scholarships, and FEE-HELP is available to eligible students. If you’re asking your employer to help fund your studies, you can also download our customisable financial support proposal template.

The UQ MBA has been designed for hybrid learning. That means you can attend classes in person at our convenient, premium location in the heart of the Brisbane CBD at 308 Queen Street. Or, you can join online, interactive classes from the comfort of home or your office. It’s your choice on the day.

The UQ MBA offers a diverse range of support for students throughout their degree. You’ll have access to academic and industry experts, a friendly administration team as well as a Careers and Professional Development team. 

These MBA-specific resources complement an even broader range of support options available to all UQ students across health and wellbeing, study skills, finance, accessibility requirements and employment.

After you graduate from the UQ MBA, you’ll be part of a thriving alumni network with regular events and opportunities to establish new connections while building on existing ones. You’ll also have ongoing access to mentoring, memberships and discounts on professional development short courses delivered by Executive Education.

The MBA Careers and Professional Development Team provides UQ MBA graduates with lifelong access to their services, workshops and events. The team strategically provide alumni with a series of career development tools and targeted industry connections. As an MBA graduate, you’ll also have access to all of UQ’s alumni benefits and networks. 

You can find information on how to apply on the UQ MBA website. We’ve also created a list of answers to common questions and insider tips to help you prepare your application from our Admissions Team.

Our average turnaround time for complete applications from domestic students is 10 working days. The turnaround time for international student applications can be 15–20 working days. We encourage all applications to apply early. Applications received without all required documentation will be considered for the following semester.