Master of Business Administration (International)

Course summary for local students

Year	2027 course information
Award granted	Master of Business Administration (International)
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Length	2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Length	1, 1.5 or 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent depending on your experience and previous qualifications
Full fee paying annual fee - commencing 2027	$35,000 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
Level	Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
Deakin course code	M751
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9

Course sub-headings

Save 10% as a Deakin alumni

We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.

Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

Course overview

Get ready for dynamic international careers at Australia’s #3 university for business administration and prepare for leadership roles in global markets. Build cross-cultural business expertise as you explore international strategy, finance, marketing and leadership through real cases and projects.

You will learn how trade, policy, culture and technology shape business across regions, then apply your skills in authentic international contexts such as virtual collaborations, global consulting experiences or study tours. Increase your career versatility with a specialisation from a wide range of business fields to enhance your expertise and transferable skills. With strong industry connections and lifelong access to Deakin’s award-winning career service, you will graduate ready to manage international teams, expand into new markets and drive sustainable growth for organisations around the world.

Professional recognition

Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide.

Fees and charges

The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.

Check your eligibility or learn more about a FEE-HELP loan.

Career opportunities

Deakin’s Master of Business Administration (International) prepares graduates for leadership and strategic roles in global business environments.

career outcomes may include:

global business manager
international strategy consultant
international marketing director
senior project manager
operations manager
operations manager
business development manager
financial strategy consultant
human resources director
corporate affairs manager
general manager

Course learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes
Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of fundamental business principles, concepts and knowledge with a focus on innovation and technology, strategy and leadership and internationalisation. Apply research skills, theories and concepts to the evaluation of complex business issues and challenges in a global context.
Develop advanced written and oral communication skills, and intercultural understanding in a diverse range of business and management contexts.
Select and use digital technologies that support the research and analysis of complex business issues, which assist with creating effective dissemination of proposals and recommendations.
Apply and develop critical analysis skills to evaluate complex data, proposals and projects in business and international contexts.
Develop and apply problem solving skills and creativity to conceptualise, construct and recommend solutions for complex business issues facing local and international organisations.
Develop an enhanced insight into learning and working independently and take responsibility for personal and professional actions.
Demonstrate the ability to network with peers, and to leverage these relationships to achieve collaborative and mutually beneficial outcomes in a diverse context.
Develop and demonstrate an understanding of the impact that innovative approaches to business issues have on social, sustainability and cultural challenges in the global business environment.

Inclusive support for learning and participation

At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.

If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.

Key selling points

Key selling points (KSPs)

International

1. #3 in Australia for business administration

2. #2 business school for career impact in Melbourne

3. 80+hours of work-integrated learning

Why choose Deakin

Why choose the master of business administration (international) at Deakin?

International

A leader in business administration: Study at an international business school ranked #3 in Melbourne for business administration and globally accredited by AACSB and EQUIS.

Global business focus: Build knowledge in international banking, trade and operations, preparing you for leadership roles in global business environments.

Practical learning for every student: Complete a work-integrated learning unit such as an internship, consultancy or international project to apply your knowledge.

Industry-informed leadership development: Develop strategy and leadership capabilities through a curriculum shaped by real business challenges and industry input.

Course rules

To complete the Master of Business Administration (International), you must pass 8, 12 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

Learning journey

What will I study in the Master of Business Administration (international)?

In your first year, you will develop core business knowledge and leadership skills within an international context. In your second year, you will advance into global strategy, tailor your studies and apply your expertise in practical, internationally focused business settings.

Year 1

Build global business foundations

Develop core business knowledge with a focus on international contexts and cross-border operations.

Understand global business environments: Explore international markets, trade and operations to understand how organisations operate globally.

Develop leadership and strategy skills: Build capability in leading teams and shaping strategy in diverse and dynamic contexts.

Strengthen analytical and business skills: Learn to evaluate financial, operational and strategic decisions in international settings.

Year 2

Apply and extend global expertise

Strengthen your global business capability while applying your learning in practical and international contexts.

Advance international business strategy: Explore complex global challenges such as supply chains, sustainability and international finance.

Tailor your learning pathway: Select electives and experiences that align with your global career ambitions.

Gain practical global experience: Undertake work-integrated or international consultancy experiences to apply your skills in real business settings.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Core units

Business Management Foundations

MAA702

Accounts, Accountability and Governance

MIS770

Foundation Skills in Data Analysis

MMM710

Emerging Issues in International Operations

MPP710

Environmental Sustainability for Business

Global Perspectives

MPE711

Global Trade and Supply Chains

MPE707

International Banking and Finance

Technology and Strategy

MPM703

Business Strategy and Analysis

MMK710

Fundamentals of MarTech

Leadership

MPM780

Foundations in Leadership

Capstone Experience

MPT735/MPM735

International Business Management ^#

^#MPT code denotes Study Tour version of the unit

Course electives

Business elective

Select one from:

MPM712

Managing Innovation

MAA767

Enterprise Value Creation: Sustainability and Integrated Reporting

MMH733

Ethical Decision Making in Organisations

MIS712

Managing Digital Transformation

MPM722

Human Resource Management

WIL elective

Select one from:

MWL705

Business for Social Impact

MWL716

Consultancy Experience

MWL718

Internship

MWL719

International Consultancy Experience

Open electives

Open electives can be chosen from a wide range of level 7 study areas across the University, subject to availability and meeting any pre-requisites. Choose open electives to suit your interests, career aspirations or to broaden your academic experience beyond your discipline study area.

Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) to earn credit towards your degree, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. See more information on Stackable short course options.

Admission criteria

Your academic history, work and life experience, and individual circumstances will be considered. Meeting the minimum academic and English language requirements does not guarantee admission, but alternative pathways may be available.

Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, you may commence this course with admission credit and complete your course in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent).

Academic requirements

1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 8 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (with 8 credit points of admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree (honours) (AQF 8) in a related discipline, with a minimum weighted average mark of 65
completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline, with a minimum weighted average mark of 65, and at least 2 years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
completion of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or higher in a related discipline.

1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline, with a minimum weighted average mark of 65
completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline, with a minimum weighted average mark of 65 and at least 2 years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent).

2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 16 credit points

To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline with a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) (or equivalent average grade indicator) of 65.

Examples of a related discipline includes, but not limited to: a bachelor degree in commerce or business in which students have completed studies explicitly in areas covering financial, people, market and economics.

Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: business experience either in a broad commerce role or in a managerial position with business oversight responsibilities in any field.

*Recognition of prior learning will still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

Credit for prior learning - general

We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Business Administration (International) (M531)
Graduate Diploma of Business Administration (International) (M631)

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Work experience

This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more work integrated learning units.

Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.

International Students:

This course includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) formally registered as part of the course on the CRICOS register. The total work integrated learning hours will differ depending on the WIL unit you choose. For more information about WIL hours, please check the unit information in the handbook or the unit guide.

For information about how WIL units may impact student visa holder work rights, please visit Home Affairs. See 8105 Work limitation.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.