FEE-HELP available
Fast-track your degree using prior learning
$47,680 | 18 months | 9 units
Course overview
What kind of leader do you want to be?
One who controls — or one who empowers?
One who holds on to the past — or one who embraces the future?
One who puts profit before people — or one that leads profit through people?
Being a leader of tomorrow is about transforming yourself as much as transforming your business. It means expanding your abilities to navigate complexity and drive positive change.
With ECU’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) online, you will study a curriculum informed by the need for contemporary leaders with a holistic mindset and gain a human-focused, transformational approach to business. Learn to solve real-world problems that drive value and enhance innovation. Build your knowledge of leadership from Australia’s only university named after a female champion of governance, and a leader of change.
Why study an MBA with ECU Online?
Study with a top business school
Our Business disciplines are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, held by fewer than 6 per cent of schools offering business degree programs globally.
Focus on transformative business
Reimagine your approach to human-centred business leadership and transform your career, your team and your organisation.
Tailor your study to fit your career
Align your units with your ambition, with specialisations and elective options across people management, culture, future technologies and more.
Graduate sooner with fast-track
Build on your existing business acumen and graduate in 18 months (minimum) with ECU Online's fast-track option, 100% online and designed to fit your busy schedule.
Professional recognition
AACSB International Accreditation
The Business disciplines at ECU are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. This certification is held by less than six per cent of business schools globally.
5-star experiences in Learning & Teaching
ECU was rated five stars for Overall Experience, Learning Resources, Skills Development, Teaching Quality and Student Support.
(Good Universities Guide 2025)
A top global university for Business & Economics
ECU has ranked in the top 300 universities in the world for Business and Economic studies.
(THE Subject Rankings 2025)
2024 AFR BOSS Best Business Schools list
ECU is ranked #1 Business School for Teaching in Australia.
What you will learn
- Learn to engage, support and empower individuals, teams and organisations.
- Develop the skills you need to manage relationships effectively.
- Understand and apply multiple leadership perspectives, including growth-oriented, supportive and inclusive approaches.
- Build high-performance teams and achieve organisational objectives.
- Explore your own capabilities, and drive positive transformation and change.
- Instigate the transformation needed in increasingly complex business environments.
- Develop a responsible business mindset as you examine contemporary challenges like sustainability and inclusion.
- Study contemporary theories of transformation to lead and navigate strategic change.
- Understand the value of data in the decision-making and transformation process.
- Solve authentic business problems with your Business Innovation Project.
- Build the broad skillset required of leaders in contemporary organisations and be able to support a diverse range of business functions.
- Understand and leverage strategic marketing concepts.
- Analyse financial performance and risk from multiple perspectives.
- Leverage data analytics to make better-informed business decisions.
- Choose a specialisation or electives that align with your career objectives and interests.
What you will study
The online MBA consists of 12 units. Students will have the option to complete all of the core units, plus a three-unit specialisation of their choice or three electives. Eligible students can fast-track their master’s degree and complete only nine core units (see Entry Criteria).
- Managing People and Organisations
- Marketing for Leaders
- Financial Performance, Accountability and Risk
- Data Analytics and Organisational Decision Making
- Strategic Management and International Competitiveness
- Responsible Management
- Managing Change
- Transformative Leadership
- Business Innovation Project
People and Culture Specialisation
- Healthy Work and Wellbeing
- People Analytics
- Diversity and Inclusion
Project Management Specialisation
- Project Risk and Quality
- Managing Project Scope and Stakeholders
- Project Scheduling and Control
Human Resource Management
- HRM Fundamentals
Select two of the following units
- Managing Employment Relations
- Acquiring and Managing Talent
- Managing and Rewarding Performance
- ESG Leadership
- Managerial Finance
- Scripting Languages
- Network Security
- Current Issues in Human Resource Management
- Cyber Security
- Project Management
- Applied Digital Marketing
- Networking Technologies
- Cyber Security Incident Detection and Responses
- Connecting Strategy and HRM
- HRM Fundamentals
- Managing Employment Relations
- Acquiring and Managing Talent
- Managing and Rewarding Performance
- Healthy Work and Wellbeing
- Diversity and Inclusion
- People Analytics
- Project Risk and Quality
- Managing Project Scope and Stakeholders
- Project Scheduling and Control
Course information
Admission requirements
To gain entry to the Master of Business Administration online you will need:
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent; AND
- A minimum of 3 years of relevant supervisory/management experience
OR
- Equivalent prior learning including at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, with at least 3 of those years at supervisory/management level.
Applicants must also meet English Language Requirements (Band 4). This can include IELTS Academic - Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0).
Not sure if this course is right for you?
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Career outcomes
Upon successfully completing the online MBA, you will have the skills and knowledge to succeed in a number of roles, depending on your prior experience. These roles can include:
- Senior Manager
- Consultant
- Project Manager
- Business Operations Manager
- General Manager
- Development Manager
- Managing Director
- Chief Strategy Officer
- Chief of Staff
- Chief Executive Officer
You will also be able to apply your skills in a variety of different fields, including construction, healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, energy and natural resources, and small business.
$156,000
Average base pay
According to Payscale, the average base pay for a Managing Director in Australia is $156,000.
Pathway to further study
Remain flexible while you pursue your postgraduate degree with our gateway qualifications. If you need to exit early, you could still receive a Graduate Certificate of Business Administration after completing three units, or a Graduate Diploma of Business Administration after completing six units.
Graduate Certificate
3 units
or continue studying
Graduate Diploma
+3 units
(6 units total)
Master’s Degree
+6 units
(12 units total)
Frequently asked questions
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a postgraduate degree that focuses on building the skills and knowledge required to succeed in contemporary business environments. It is a great option for students who want to take their career to the next level, gain a broad skillset and step up into leadership and management positions. An MBA can also be valuable for students who do not have prior business experience and want to expand their career options.
Studying an MBA online is a great way to pursue professional development without putting your career on hold. ECU’s 100% online accelerated MBA is designed to be flexible, so that you can work while you study and apply your new skills to your current role.
Studying an MBA can be challenging, but with our 100% online MBA, you will be supported every step of the way. You will be able to connect with engaged academics via our immersive online learning system and network with your peers. You will also have your own dedicated Student Success Advisor who is there to help you will all your non-academic enquiries. In addition, you will be able to connect with Learning Advisors who can help you with your study skills.
ECU’s accelerated online MBA consists of 12 units and can be completed in as little as 24 months. Students who are eligible for our Fast-Track option can complete their MBA in 18 months (see Entry Criteria for more information).
ECU’s 100% online MBA has been informed by the need for contemporary leaders with a holistic mindset. You will gain highly sought-after skills in transformation and human-centred business practices. With ECU, you will benefit from dedicated support and be able to progress your career while studying 100% online.
Yes, you can apply for our 100% online MBA without a bachelor’s degree, if you have at least five years of relevant professional experience, with at least three of those years at supervisory/management level. Reach out to one of our Student Enrolment Advisors for more information.
Yes, an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) is recognised in Australia when awarded by an accredited university. Online MBA programs follow the same curriculum as on-campus degrees, ensuring graduates gain the leadership, strategic thinking, and business management skills expected by employers. Completing a Master of Business Administration online degree program demonstrates advanced professional capabilities across business, government, and consultancy sectors.
Edith Cowan University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) Online is fully accredited and designed for working professionals, combining practical, human-focused business leadership training with flexible online delivery.
The cost of an online MBA in Australia varies by institution and program structure. Many programs, including ECU’s, offer government-supported loan schemes such as FEE-HELP, allowing eligible students to defer payment and manage their investment in postgraduate study.
The ECU Master of Business Administration (MBA) Online provides access to FEE-HELP for eligible students, supporting flexible and accessible postgraduate study in business administration.
HECS-HELP generally applies to Commonwealth-supported undergraduate courses, not postgraduate degrees. Postgraduate students may be eligible for FEE-HELP, which functions similarly by allowing tuition fees to be deferred and repaid through the tax system once income thresholds are reached.
The ECU Master of Business Administration (MBA) Online is eligible for FEE-HELP, helping postgraduate students fund their studies while gaining a recognised qualification in business administration.
Still have questions?
Download a course guide or speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor. Our team can assist you with:
- Eligibility & enrolment enquiries
- Course duration & fees
- Flexible entry & study pathways
- How online study will fit with your schedule
