Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Business Information Systems specialising in Social Impact combines business, information systems, digital innovation, analytics and organisational change with specialised study in social impact.

Key benefits include:

• Develop skills that bridge business requirements and technology outcomes.
• Build knowledge in business analysis, data analysis, data visualisation, project management and database analysis and design.
• Develop stakeholder engagement and digital-solution evaluation skills.
• Learn to use data-informed decision-making in business and organisational contexts.
• Study social impact issues relevant to for-purpose organisations and organisations seeking sustainable and responsible growth.
• Develop knowledge of corporate responsibility, social entrepreneurship, social innovation, social investment and impact measurement.
• Complete an IS/IT Research Project and an Industry Capstone Project as part of the course structure.
• Gain a qualification that can support progression into business analysis, data analysis and ICT project management roles.
• Eligible students with relevant previous qualifications may receive advanced standing and complete the degree in less than two years.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Master of Business Information Systems is a nested qualification comprising 200 credit points.

Initial core units:

• Strategic Project Management — INF70005 — 12.5 credit points
• Business Analytics and Visualisation — INF70008 — 12.5 credit points
• Business Analysis and Consulting Practices — INF80006 — 12.5 credit points
• Governing Technology for Business Environments — INF80042 — 12.5 credit points

Graduate Diploma stage core units:

• Industry Capstone Project — INF80057 — 12.5 credit points
• Business Process Management — INF80028 — 12.5 credit points

Additional foundation units:

• Professional Issues in IT — ICT80008 — 12.5 credit points
• Business Information Systems — INF60007 — 12.5 credit points
• Database, Analysis and Design — INF60009 — 12.5 credit points
• Requirements Analysis and Modelling — INF60010 — 12.5 credit points

Master's-level core units:

• Advanced Business Analysis — INF80001 — 12.5 credit points
• IS/IT Research Project — INF80003 — 12.5 credit points

Social Impact specialisation:

• Corporate Responsibility and Accountability — SIP60001 — 12.5 credit points
• Social Impact: Entrepreneurs and Social Innovation — SIP60003 — 12.5 credit points
• Social Investment and Philanthropy — SIP60004 — 12.5 credit points
• Evaluation and Impact Measurement — SIP70014 — 12.5 credit points

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Master of Business Information Systems provides a range of specialisations, including:

• Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Digital Marketing
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Financial Technologies
• Human Resource Management
• International Business
• Research
• Project Management
• Social Impact

The selected specialisation for this programme is Social Impact.

The Social Impact specialisation focuses on:

• Corporate responsibility
• Social entrepreneurship
• Social innovation
• Social investment
• Philanthropy
• Evaluation and impact measurement
• Sustainable and responsible organisational practices

Programme Highlights

• Master's degree in Business Information Systems.
• 200 credit points.
• 16 standard units.
• Standard duration of 2 years full-time.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS code 092700K.
• Social Impact specialisation.
• Combines business and technology.
• Develops business analysis, data analysis, data visualisation and project management skills.
• Includes an Industry Capstone Project.
• Includes an IS/IT Research Project.
• Provides a pathway to specialised study in social impact.
• Advanced standing can reduce the standard study duration for eligible applicants.
• Nested Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma exit awards are incorporated into the course structure.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following example career opportunities for graduates:

• Data analyst
• Business analyst
• ICT project manager

The broader curriculum can also support work involving:

• Business information systems
• Digital transformation
• Business and technology consulting
• Data-informed decision-making
• Technology project coordination
• Business process improvement
• Social-impact and responsible-business initiatives

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

Current Swinburne information confirms:

• The course remains a 2-year full-time master's degree for the standard pathway.
• The current CRICOS code is 092700K.
• The course is delivered at Hawthorn.
• 2027 starts are 1 March and 2 August.
• The current application deadlines are 24 February 2027 and 28 July 2027 respectively.
• The programme requires 200 credit points across 16 units.
• Social Impact is an available specialisation.
• The course includes an Industry Capstone Project.
• The course includes an IS/IT Research Project.
• Advanced standing may reduce the standard duration.
• Relevant professional or managerial experience may be considered for certain accelerated entry pathways, subject to Swinburne's assessment.
• Where work experience is used as the basis for admission, supporting evidence and a CV are required.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students undertaking this programme in Australia will generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements include:

• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Enrolment in the relevant CRICOS-registered course.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable health requirements.
• Meeting applicable character requirements.
• Demonstrating financial capacity where required.
• Providing the required supporting documents.
• Complying with all Student visa conditions.

Study conditions:

• International students in Australia holding a Student visa must study full-time and on campus.
• Fully online study is not available to international students in Australia who hold a Student visa.

Work rights:

• Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
• Students can generally work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
• Students studying a master's by coursework, such as this programme, do not receive the unlimited work-right provision that applies to master's by research and doctoral students.
• Students should check their individual visa grant conditions and VEVO before commencing employment.

OSHC:

• Adequate Overseas Student Health Cover must be maintained for the required period.
• For applicants outside Australia, Home Affairs states that OSHC must generally begin from the date of arrival in Australia rather than simply the course start date.
• Approved OSHC arrangements and exemptions are determined under Department of Home Affairs rules.