The MBA is built for people who already have significant work experience and want to move into general management. That leaves a gap for graduates who want business knowledge early in their career. Business schools around the world fill it with the Master of Management, sometimes called the Master in Management (MiM). Australian universities offer several versions under different names.
Both are masters degrees at AQF Level 9. The difference lies in who they are designed for.
The key differences
| MBA | Master of Management | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical student | Several years of professional experience | Recent graduate, little work experience |
| Teaching style | Draws heavily on students' own experience | More foundational, theory-led, with projects |
| Main goal | Move into general management or leadership | Launch a business career |
| Common study mode | Full-time, part-time, online, executive | Often full-time |
| Class profile | Mid-career professionals | Early-career graduates, many international |
These are general patterns. Programs differ, so always compare the actual structure.
Content
An MBA covers accounting, finance, economics, marketing, operations, strategy and leadership, then expects you to apply them to complex problems using your own experience. Classes rely on case discussion and group work among experienced peers.
A Master of Management covers similar business foundations, but assumes less background. It may include more introductory material, more structured teaching and often internships or industry projects to build practical experience.
Careers
An MBA is often aimed at a move up or across, from a specialist role into management, or into a new industry at a more senior level.
A Master of Management is aimed at starting a business career. Graduates often go into graduate programs, consulting, marketing, operations or analyst roles. For people with a non-business first degree, such as science, engineering or arts, it can be a bridge into business.
QILT's Graduate Outcomes Survey reports employment and salary outcomes for postgraduate coursework graduates by study area. It does not separate MBA and Master of Management graduates, but it gives useful context.
Which should you choose?
Choose a Master of Management if you graduated recently, have little full-time work experience and want to build business knowledge to start your career.
Choose an MBA if you have several years of experience, have managed people or projects, and want to move into broader leadership.
Wait if you are unsure. Many people find an MBA more valuable once they have work experience to bring to the classroom. A few years in a job can make the degree more useful and help you get a stronger place.
Other options
Specialist masters. A Master of Finance, Master of Marketing, Master of Business Analytics or Master of Professional Accounting goes deeper into one field. If you know the field you want, a specialist degree may be a better use of time and money.
Master of Professional Accounting. For non-accountants who want to become accountants, a professional accounting masters can lead towards professional body membership. Check accreditation with CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants ANZ.
Graduate Certificate. A short, lower-cost way to add business skills to your existing expertise, with the option to continue later.
Questions to ask
- Who is the typical student in this program, and how much experience do they have?
- Is there an internship or industry project?
- What do graduates do afterwards?
- Can I get credit later towards an MBA?
- What is the total course cost?
A note on names
Australian universities use different names for similar degrees. A program called a Master of Management at one university may be called a Master of Business or Master of Commerce at another, and the content can differ even when the name is the same. Read the list of units, the entry requirements and the typical student profile, rather than relying on the title.
Mixing the two over a career
Some people take a business masters early in their career, then an executive program later when they reach senior management. Others work for several years first and then take an MBA. There is no single right path. Think about where you are now and what you need in the next five years.
If you are an international student
Many Master of Management students in Australia are international graduates who want to start a business career. Check that the course is on CRICOS, and think about how the degree will be viewed by employers in the country where you plan to work.
Format finder
Which MBA format suits you?
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Frequently asked questions
How much work experience do I need for an MBA instead?
Many MBAs ask for several years of professional experience, and executive programs ask for more. Check the requirement for each program you are considering.
Is a Master of Management good for career changers?
It can be, especially for graduates from non-business disciplines who want to move into business early in their career. Experienced professionals changing careers usually look at an MBA.
Can I do an MBA later if I do a Master of Management now?
Yes, although the two degrees overlap. Some people complete a Master of Management early in their career and an executive program much later. Check whether your later school grants any credit.
Is a Master of Management cheaper than an MBA?
Often, but not always. Compare the total course fee for each program, because fees vary widely between universities.
Do employers value a Master of Management?
For graduate and early-career roles, a Master of Management can show business knowledge without the work experience an MBA expects. For senior management roles, experience and an MBA or executive education are more common.
What about a Master of Business?
Some universities offer a Master of Business or Master of Commerce, which may be more specialised, for example in accounting, finance or marketing. Compare the units, not just the title.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Australian Qualifications Framework — AQF
- Graduate Management Admission Council – Prospective students survey — GMAC
- QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey — Australian Government
- CPA Australia – Become a CPA — CPA Australia
