Why Study / Key Benefits

• Combines business strategy and technology, preparing students to work between business decision-makers and technical teams.
• Develops skills in data-informed decision-making, stakeholder engagement and digital solution evaluation.
• Covers data analysis, data visualisation, business analysis, project management, database analysis and design.
• The Business Analytics specialisation develops skills in extracting insights from data and presenting findings through visualisation.
• Students can explore mobile applications, social media, artificial intelligence and Big Data.
• The qualification is accredited by the Australian Computer Society at professional level.
• Swinburne is an academic partner of the International Institute of Business Analysis, and the course is recognised as an IIBA-endorsed training course.
• The course is also accredited by AACSB International.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The full master's degree comprises 16 units / 200 credit points. The structure consists of foundation units, core units and four units from the selected specialisation.

Foundation units:

• Professional Issues in IT – ICT80008
• Business Information Systems – INF60007
• Database, Analysis and Design – INF60009
• Requirements Analysis and Modelling – INF60010

Core units:

• Strategic Project Management – INF70005
• Business Analytics and Visualisation – INF70008
• Business Analysis and Consulting Practices – INF80006
• Governing Technology for Business Environments – INF80042
• Industry Capstone Project – INF80057
• Business Process Management – INF80028
• Advanced Business Analysis – INF80001
• IS/IT Research Project – INF80003

For the Business Analytics specialisation, students select four units from the following:

• Cloud Enterprise Systems and Analytics – INF60012
• Mobile Business and Social Media – INF60013
• Business Information Systems Internship Project – INF80005
• Applied Business Intelligence Analytics and Data Visualisation – INF80031
• Predictive Analytics – INF80040
• Artificial Intelligence and Insights – INF80051

Each listed standard unit is worth 12.5 credit points.

Key subject areas therefore include:

• Business information systems
• Business analytics and visualisation
• Business analysis and consulting
• Database analysis and design
• Requirements analysis and modelling
• Business process management
• Strategic project management
• Enterprise systems
• Business intelligence
• Predictive analytics
• Artificial intelligence
• Mobile business and social media
• Technology governance
• Information systems research.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Swinburne currently lists the following specialisation areas within the Master of Business Information Systems:

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

For the Business Analytics specialisation specifically, the focus is on:

• Machine learning in business
• Data analysis
• Data visualisation
• Business intelligence
• Predictive analytics
• Artificial intelligence
• Big Data
• Enterprise systems
• Mobile business
• Social media.

Programme Highlights

• 2-year standard master's degree.
• 200 credit points.
• 16 standard units.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS code 092700K.
• Business Analytics specialisation available.
• Fast-track options of 1 or 1.5 years may be available for eligible applicants.
• Professional recognition through ACS.
• IIBA-endorsed training course.
• AACSB accreditation.
• Optional/available internship units within the specialisation and elective structure.
• Strong emphasis on business analysis, analytics, digital technology and organisational decision-making.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies roles such as:

• Data analyst
• Business analyst
• ICT project manager

More broadly, the course handbook identifies opportunities in:

• Business analysis
• IT administration
• Change management
• Project management
• Information assurance
• Information systems.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Course code: MA-BIS.
• CRICOS code: 092700K.
• Standard duration: 2 years full-time.
• Hawthorn is the listed campus.
• 2027 starts: 1 March and 2 August.
• 2027 application deadlines: 24 February and 28 July.
• International Student visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• English requirement: IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, or EAP 5 Advanced at 70% overall with 65% in all skills.
• Advanced standing/RPL is assessed case-by-case.
• Applicants using relevant professional experience for admission must provide a CV and supporting evidence.
• The maximum academic credit normally available towards the master's is 100 credit points; students entering with a Graduate Diploma of Business Information Systems may be eligible for up to 125 credit points of advanced standing.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this course in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

Key requirements include:

• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the CRICOS-registered course.
• Meeting the Australian Student visa requirements.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Maintaining Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Providing supporting documentation requested by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Meeting any applicable financial-capacity and English-language evidence requirements.
• Complying with the conditions attached to the individual visa.