MBA in Melbourne

Melbourne is home to some of Australia's oldest universities and a large community of business schools. It is a major centre for financial services, health, education, manufacturing, logistics and the creative industries, and its MBA students reflect that mix.

The schools named here are a starting point, not a complete list or a ranking. Programs change, so always check each university's website.

The business schools

Melbourne Business School

Melbourne Business School is the graduate business school of the University of Melbourne, based in Carlton, close to the CBD. It has offered full-time, part-time and senior executive MBA programs. Check its website for the current range.

Monash Business School

Monash University's business school has offered an MBA from its Caulfield campus in Melbourne's south-east. Check its current formats and locations.

RMIT University

RMIT is based in the heart of the CBD. Its business college has offered MBA and executive MBA programs, including options aimed at working professionals.

Deakin University

Deakin Business School has a long history of flexible study and online delivery, with a Melbourne campus at Burwood. Its MBA has been available online as well as on campus.

Other options

La Trobe University (Bundoora and city), Swinburne University of Technology (Hawthorn) and Victoria University (city and western suburbs) also offer MBA programs or postgraduate business study. Several universities based elsewhere teach online to Melbourne students too.

Choosing between them

Format. Some schools offer an intensive full-time program, others focus on part-time, online or executive formats. Check what is available for your intake.

Location and transport. Melbourne's trams, trains and buses reach most campuses, but travel times across the city can be long. For part-time on-campus study, think about the trip after a full working day.

Cost. Compare total fees, not per-unit prices. Programs differ widely in cost.

Class profile. Ask schools about the experience and industries of their students.

Specialisations. Some programs offer streams in areas such as health, technology, sustainability or leadership. Check whether the specialisation appears on your award.

Studying in Melbourne as an international student

Melbourne has a large international student community. You will need a CRICOS-registered course and a Student visa (subclass 500), and you must meet financial requirements set by Home Affairs. Research rents near your campus and on good transport lines. The Study Australia website has general guidance on living costs.

Making the most of Melbourne

• Attend information sessions at several schools and ask to sit in on a class.
• Join professional networks in your industry and attend events held in the city.
• Explore the free tram zone in the CBD, which makes it easy to get to events and meetings in the city centre.
• Use the State Library Victoria, whose La Trobe Reading Room is a famous place to study.

The old Melbourne pages

The original MBA Guide had separate listings for many Melbourne programs and specialisations. We have replaced them with this guide and our wider city guide, because individual program details change too often to keep up to date. Use the universities' own websites for current details.

Questions to ask Melbourne schools

1. Which formats will run for my intake, and where will classes be held?
2. Who teaches the core units, and what is the typical class size?
3. What is the experience level and industry mix of recent cohorts?
4. Are specialisations recorded on the award, and which electives run each year?
5. What is the total course fee for my study load?
6. Is the course approved for FEE-HELP, and what are the census dates?
7. What careers support is available to part-time and online students?

Part-time study in Melbourne

Many Melbourne MBA students keep working full-time and study part-time. If you plan to attend evening classes, choose a campus you can reach easily from work. If you plan to study mostly online, check the time of live sessions and whether they are recorded. Some programs use weekend intensives, which can be easier to fit around a demanding job but harder around family commitments.

Employers and industries

Melbourne's economy includes financial services, health and medical research, education, manufacturing, logistics, retail, technology and the creative industries. Many large organisations have their head offices in the city. Ask schools about employer partnerships, consulting projects and guest speakers in your industry.