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Postgraduate Coursework

Master of Business Administration (Executive)

Not available to international students.

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This course is only available to International students and your preference is currently set to Domestic.

Key details

Duration

Not available full-time
2 year/s part-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer Semester
Important Dates

Locations

Online
Not available to international students.

Credit points required

120

Course code

SBAD02
SATAC codes

Overview

As a graduate of the Master of Business Administration (Executive), you will acquire the skills to lead organisations of all sizes with a forward-thinking approach that goes beyond profit. You will gain a profound understanding of sustainable business practices that genuinely make a difference.

This course will teach you how to run a business profitably while positively impacting society, the economy, and the environment. Alongside traditional MBA core competencies, you will learn to develop effective business strategies, design and implement sustainability initiatives, and master environmental, social, and corporate governance disclosure and reporting.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to engage in an applied professional business project and choose specialist electives that align with your career goals. This comprehensive curriculum ensures you are well-prepared to meet the demands of future-focused businesses.



Career opportunities

The Australian Government predicts strong industry demand for business degree graduates from a wide range of sectors. As a Master of Business Administration (Executive) graduate, you will be qualified to pursue a range of exciting domestic and international career opportunities.

Graduates can pursue leadership roles in fields such as management, entrepreneurship, and consulting. Additionally, this course is suited for students interested in positions in business operation management, marketing specialists, human resource management and business analysis. This Master of Business Administration (Executive) equips professionals to thrive in the dynamic and ever-changing world of business.

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International students Adele and Zarah

Why study business at CDU?

Learn from internationally-recognised academics when you study business at CDU. Future-proof your career with accredited courses built on sustainable business practices and innovation. You'll graduate ready to make an impact on the global market.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
  • Industry experts with experience in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond
International students Adele and Zarah

Why study business at CDU?

Learn from internationally-recognised academics when you study Business at CDU. Future-proof your career with accredited courses built on sustainable business practices and innovation. You'll graduate ready to make an impact on the global market.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Industry experts with experience in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond
International students Adele and Zarah

Why study business at CDU?

Learn from internationally-recognised academics when you study business at CDU. Future-proof your career with accredited courses built on sustainable business practices and innovation. You'll graduate ready to make an impact on the global market.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
  • Industry experts with experience in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond
International students Adele and Zarah

Why study business at CDU?

Learn from internationally-recognised academics when you study Business at CDU. Future-proof your career with accredited courses built on sustainable business practices and innovation. You'll graduate ready to make an impact on the global market.

  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Industry experts with experience in Australia, the Asia Pacific and beyond

What will I study?

The Master of Business Administration (Executive) will provide you with the opportunity to develop serious understanding of sustainable business practice in our rapidly changing world. You will complete units focusing on strategic management, human resource management, accounting, economics, leadership, data analytics, marketing, entrepreneurship, and business research skills. You will gain significant experience on applied business project through a capstone unit.

Course structure

In addition to the core units, you will be able to specialise in business units such as executive leadership, global human resources, accounting for managers and entrepreneurship. 


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 120 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated. Students are required to:

  • Complete the eight compulsory core units
  • Complete the four specialist elective units   
     
Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core units 
(8 units)
80cp

Compulsory core units totalling 80 credit points as per list of units detailed below:

BUS508 Business Analytics 
BUS521 Business Research Skills (available from 2026)
ECO500 Contemporary Issues in Economics (available from 2026)
FIN504 Finance and Investment for the Executive 
HRM504 Organisational Change and Development (available from 2026)
MAN500 Strategic Management
MKT504 Marketing for Managers 
BUS622 Applied Business Project (capstone) (available from 2026)
 

Specialist Electives   
(4 units) 
40cp 

Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below:  

ACT508 Accounting for Managers (available from 2026)
ENT502 Entrepreneurship 
HRM506 Global Human Resources (available from 2026)
MAN517 Executive Leadership 
 

 120cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (120cp)

Study plan


Students commencing in Intensive 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in Intensive 1 and enrolling in a part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200  units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200. 
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

 Part-time Study Plan

Intensive 1Intensive 2Intensive 3Intensive 4Intensive 5Intensive 6
Year 1
BUS508 Business AnalyticsCOFIN504 Finance and Investment for the ExecutiveCOMAN517 Executive LeadershipSEMAN500 Strategic ManagementCOMKT504 Marketing for ManagersCOENT502 EntrepreneurshipSE
Year 2
HRM506 Global Human ResourcesSEHRM504 Organisational Change and DevelopmentCOACT508 Accounting for ManagersSEECO500 Contemporary Issues in EconomicsCOBUS521 Business Research SkillsCOBUS622 Applied Business ProjectCO

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Students commencing in Intensive 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in Intensive 2 and enrolling in a part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200. 
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

 Part-time Study Plan

Intensive 1Intensive 2Intensive 3Intensive 4Intensive 5Intensive 6
Year 1
  FIN504 Finance and Investment for the ExecutiveCOMAN517 Executive LeadershipSEMAN500 Strategic ManagementCOMKT504 Marketing for ManagersCOENT502 EntrepreneurshipSE
Year 2
BUS508 Business AnalyticsCOHRM504 Organisational Change and DevelopmentCOACT508 Accounting for ManagersSEECO500 Contemporary Issues in EconomicsCOBUS521 Business Research SkillsCOBUS622 Applied Business ProjectCO
Year 3
HRM506 Global Human ResourcesSE          

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Students commencing in Intensive 3

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in Intensive 3 and enrolling in a part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200. 
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

 Part-time Study Plan

Intensive 1Intensive 2Intensive 3Intensive 4Intensive 5Intensive 6
Year 1
    MAN517 Executive LeadershipSEMAN500 Strategic ManagementCOMKT504 Marketing for ManagersCOENT502 EntrepreneurshipSE
Year 2
BUS508 Business AnalyticsCOFIN504 Finance and Investment for the ExecutiveCOACT508 Accounting for ManagersSEECO500 Contemporary Issues in EconomicsCOBUS521 Business Research SkillsCOBUS622 Applied Business ProjectCO
Year 3
HRM506 Global Human ResourcesSEHRM504 Organisational Change and DevelopmentCO        

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Students commencing in Intensive 4

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in Intensive 4 and enrolling in a part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200. 
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

 Part-time Study Plan

Intensive 1Intensive 2Intensive 3Intensive 4Intensive 5Intensive 6
Year 1
      MAN500 Strategic ManagementCOMKT504 Marketing for ManagersCOENT502 EntrepreneurshipSE
Year 2
BUS508 Business AnalyticsCOFIN504 Finance and Investment for the ExecutiveCOMAN517 Executive LeadershipSEECO500 Contemporary Issues in EconomicsCOBUS521 Business Research SkillsCOBUS622 Applied Business ProjectCO
Year 3
HRM506 Global Human ResourcesSEHRM504 Organisational Change and DevelopmentCOACT508 Accounting for ManagersSE      

Top of Page

Students commencing in Intensive 5

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in Intensive 5 and enrolling in a part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200. 
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

 Part-time Study Plan

Intensive 1Intensive 2Intensive 3Intensive 4Intensive 5Intensive 6
Year 1
        MKT504 Marketing for ManagersCOENT502 EntrepreneurshipSE
Year 2
BUS508 Business AnalyticsCOFIN504 Finance and Investment for the ExecutiveCOMAN517 Executive LeadershipSEMAN500 Strategic ManagementCOBUS521 Business Research SkillsCOBUS622 Applied Business ProjectCO
Year 3
HRM506 Global Human ResourcesSEHRM504 Organisational Change and DevelopmentCOACT508 Accounting for ManagersSEECO500 Contemporary Issues in EconomicsCO    

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Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master's degree or equivalent international qualification in any field.


Fast-track (Advanced Standing)

Applicants who hold a qualification in a business-related field and have a minimum of four years full-time professional experience in managerial roles may be eligible for a maximum of 40 credit points of block credit. To apply after an offer is made applicants must submit the CDU eform, accessed through the CDU Portal, and provide further documentation in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) and documented evidence from your employer detailing roles and responsibilities.

International entry pathway

International Pathway Applicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Qualifying Program (ZMQP01) or the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP1) are eligible for entry.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - International students   
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake)A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.  
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.  
 

Most of my lecturers also had industry experience working for multinational companies, giving us insight into real-world scenarios.

Sachin

CDU student

MBA graduate Commander Sachin Sharma

I genuinely believe Darwin is the land of opportunities if you leverage your strengths, abilities and skills.

Ellie

CDU student

CDU International students

Most of my lecturers also had industry experience working for multinational companies, giving us insight into real-world scenarios.

Sachin

CDU student

MBA graduate Commander Sachin Sharma

I genuinely believe Darwin is the land of opportunities if you leverage your strengths, abilities and skills.

Ellie

CDU student

CDU International students

Course details

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Master of Business Administration (Executive)
Faculty/College
Faculty of Arts and Society
Sector
HE
Area of study
Business

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

Learn about business at CDU

Sushan is from Nepal studying a Master of Business Administration (Professional Practice) at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

Learn about business at CDU

Sushan is from Nepal studying a Master of Business Administration (Professional Practice) at CDU. Hear more about his experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
Online (FF)
1CM688
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

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