Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in Business Information Systems is designed for students who want to combine advanced business leadership and management skills with business information systems, technology and digital decision-making.

The Business Information Systems specialisation focuses on how organisations can use technology to improve business decision-making and business processes. The MBA also develops leadership, strategic thinking, innovation, sustainability, problem-solving and stakeholder-management capabilities.

Key benefits include:

• Business and management education combined with technology-focused learning.
• Development of leadership, interpersonal, conceptual, digital, emotional and cultural intelligence.
• Business information systems knowledge focused on technology-enabled decision-making.
• Learning in business analytics and visualisation, strategic project management, business analysis and technology governance.
• Immersion units designed to connect theory with practical business situations.
• Opportunities to develop strategic decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Industry engagement through Swinburne's partnership with the Institute of Managers and Leaders, including opportunities for industry workshops, business case studies, mentoring and professional development.
• AACSB accreditation of the MBA.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The MBA consists of four foundation units, eight core units and four specialisation units.

Foundation units

The four foundation units are:

1. Economics for Technology and Innovation – ECO60005
2. Business Analytics and Visualisation – INF70008
3. Leading – MGT60041
4. Future Management Skills – MGT60043.

Core units

The eight core units are:

1. Future-Fit Innovation – ENT60011
2. Emerging Technology – INF60019
3. Technology and Innovation Immersion – INF60020
4. Law for Entrepreneurs – LAW60007
5. Sustainable Value Creation – MGT70008
6. Business Strategy – MGT80002
7. Sustainable Strategy and Leadership Immersion – MGT80006
8. Customer Experience Management – MKT70021.

Business Information Systems specialisation

Students undertaking the Business Information Systems specialisation study four units from the approved specialisation set:

1. Business Information Systems – INF60007
2. Strategic Project Management – INF70005
3. Business Analytics and Visualisation – INF70008
4. Contemporary Issues in Business Analysis – INF80014
5. Governing Technology for Business Environments – INF80042.

The structure requires four specialisation units, so the fifth listed unit represents an available specialisation option rather than an additional requirement.

The programme therefore combines management and leadership with:

• Business information systems
• Business analytics
• Technology and innovation
• Strategic project management
• Business analysis
• Technology governance
• Sustainable strategy
• Customer experience
• Entrepreneurship and business law.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected specialisation is Business Information Systems.

Swinburne describes this specialisation as focusing on how businesses can exploit technology to improve decision-making and business processes.

The MBA also currently lists other specialisation pathways, including:

• Digital Marketing
• Human Resource Management
• Project Management
• Supply Chain Innovation
• Social Impact. 

Programme Highlights

• Master of Business Administration qualification.
• Business Information Systems specialisation.
• 2 years full-time standard duration.
• Potential 1-year or 1.5-year advanced-standing pathways for eligible applicants.
• 200 credit points.
• 16 standard units.
• Hawthorn campus, Melbourne.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 intakes.
• CRICOS course code 102648M.
• AACSB accreditation.
• Business and technology-focused curriculum.
• Immersion units connecting theory with practical business scenarios.
• Institute of Managers and Leaders partnership.
• Opportunities for industry workshops, business cases, mentoring and professional development.

Career Outcomes

The MBA is designed to prepare graduates for general management and specialist management roles. Swinburne gives examples including:

• Middle-management to senior-management roles
• Management positions in manufacturing and service organisations
• Management positions in private and public-sector organisations
• Intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship
• Expatriate management.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The current course is offered under course code MA-BUSADM5 and CRICOS code 102648M.

Important current requirements and considerations include:

• A recognised bachelor's degree or the Swinburne Postgraduate Qualifying Program is required.
• A CV is required with the application.
• Supporting documentation is required when relevant professional/managerial experience is being used for admission.
• Advanced standing may reduce the standard two-year duration.
• International Student visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• Credit/RPL is assessed individually.
• The MBA is AACSB accredited.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this MBA in Australia generally require the Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

The Department of Home Affairs states that Student visa holders can:

• Study an eligible course in Australia.
• Travel in and out of Australia.
• Work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course or training is in session.