Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Business Administration specialising in Social Impact is designed for professionals seeking advanced management and leadership skills while focusing on social responsibility, sustainability and positive social change.
• The MBA combines management knowledge with technology, innovation, sustainability and social responsibility.
• The Social Impact specialisation focuses on for-purpose organisations and social enterprises, including how they can grow, remain sustainable and competitive, and attract employees.
• Students develop management, leadership, strategic, interpersonal and conceptual skills.
• The programme develops emotional intelligence (EQ), digital intelligence (DQ) and cultural intelligence (CQ).
• Students develop problem-solving and design-thinking capabilities and learn to consider stakeholder interests when making business decisions.
• The MBA uses signature Immersion units and applied learning to connect academic concepts with practical business situations.
• Swinburne's business school is AACSB accredited.
• Swinburne states that its MBA has a 91.8% employment rate within four months of graduation, based on the QILT Postgraduate Graduates Outcomes Survey 2021–2023. This is a university-level MBA outcome rather than a Social Impact-specialisation-specific employment rate.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The full MBA comprises 16 units and 200 credit points.

Foundation units:

• Economics for Technology and Innovation — ECO60005 — 12.5 credit points
• Business Analytics and Visualisation — INF70008 — 12.5 credit points
• Leading — MGT60041 — 12.5 credit points
• Future Management Skills — MGT60043 — 12.5 credit points

Core units:

• Future-Fit Innovation — ENT60011 — 12.5 credit points
• Emerging Technology — INF60019 — 12.5 credit points
• Technology and Innovation Immersion — INF60020 — 12.5 credit points
• Law for Entrepreneurs — LAW60007 — 12.5 credit points
• Sustainable Value Creation — MGT70008 — 12.5 credit points
• Business Strategy — MGT80002 — 12.5 credit points
• Sustainable Strategy and Leadership Immersion — MGT80006 — 12.5 credit points
• Customer Experience Management — MKT70021 — 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 selected specialisation is Social Impact.

The Social Impact specialisation examines:

• Corporate responsibility
• Accountability
• Social entrepreneurship
• Social innovation
• Social investment
• Philanthropy
• Evaluation of social impact
• Impact measurement
• Sustainable and socially responsible organisational development
• For-purpose organisations and social enterprises

Programme Highlights

• 200-credit-point MBA.
• 16 units.
• Standard duration of 2 years full-time.
• Fast-track completion may be possible in 1 or 1.5 years for eligible applicants.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS registered: 102648M.
• Social Impact specialisation.
• Four dedicated Social Impact units.
• AACSB-accredited business school.
• Technology, sustainability and social responsibility integrated into the MBA.
• Signature Immersion units.
• Applied and industry-oriented learning.
• Partnership with the Institute of Managers and Leaders.
• Advanced Standing may reduce the total study duration for eligible applicants.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne's MBA information identifies potential career directions such as:

• Middle to senior manager
• Manager in manufacturing or service organisations
• Manager in the private or public sector
• Supply chain management
• Project management
• Human resource management
• Entrepreneur
• Expatriate manager

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The MBA Social Impact specialisation is currently active.
• The current CRICOS code is 102648M.
• 2027 intakes are scheduled for 1 March and 2 August.
• Application deadlines are 24 February 2027 and 28 July 2027 respectively.
• The course is offered at Hawthorn.
• International students in Australia holding Student visas must study full-time and on campus.
• Fast-track entry depends on the applicant's previous qualifications and/or relevant professional/managerial experience.
• Applicants using relevant work experience for admission must provide a CV and supporting evidence.
• The course is AACSB accredited.
• The separate Master of Social Impact is no longer accepting new students; Swinburne's Centre for Social Impact specifically directs prospective students interested in this field toward the MBA with Social Impact specialisation.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study the MBA in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements can include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the CRICOS-registered course.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless exempt.
• Satisfaction of the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable health requirements.
• Meeting applicable character requirements.
• Demonstrating financial capacity when required.
• Providing required supporting documentation.
• Complying with all Student visa conditions.