The MBA – International Leadership at Kaplan Business School (KBS) is an AQF Level 9 postgraduate qualification designed for professionals who want to develop international leadership capabilities and prepare for leadership roles in globally connected organisations. KBS describes this specialisation as focusing on leading change and innovation, inspiring stakeholders and coaching large, diverse teams.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced strategic management and leadership capabilities.
• Build skills for leading culturally and geographically diverse teams.
• Learn how to identify strategic opportunities for international business growth.
• Develop knowledge of international strategy, international business and finance.
• Build capabilities in organisational change and innovation.
• Develop emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence and diversity awareness.
• Strengthen decision-making, governance and sustainability knowledge.
• Develop practical leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
• Access elective subjects that can be aligned with individual career interests.
• Potentially undertake internship subjects, subject to availability and prerequisites.
• Study at multiple Australian locations or through KBS's online delivery option. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The International Leadership MBA consists of:

• 6 core subjects
• 3 directed International Leadership subjects
• 3 elective subjects
• 12 subjects in total.

Core subjects:

1. MBA401 – People, Culture and Contemporary Leadership
2. MBA402 – Governance, Ethics and Sustainability
3. MBA403 – Financial and Economic Interpretation and Communication
4. MBA404 – Consumer Behaviour and Marketing Psychology
5. MBA502 – Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Intelligence and Diversity
6. MBA600 – MBA Capstone: Strategy.

Directed International Leadership subjects:

1. MBA611 – International Strategy
2. MBA612 – International Business and Finance
3. MBA613 – Organisational Change and Innovation.

Electives can be selected from KBS's approved MBA subjects. Examples currently listed include:

• MBA501 – Dynamic Strategy and Disruptive Innovation
• MBA507 – Internship 1
• MBA508 – Internship 2
• MBA601 – Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
• MBA602 – Small Business Administration
• MBA603 – New Venture Capital Raising
• MBA621 – Healthcare Systems
• MBA622 – Comprehensive Healthcare Strategies
• MBA623 – Healthcare Management
• MBA631 – Digital Marketing and Communication
• MBA632 – Knowledge Management
• MBA633 – Real-world Business Analytics and Management
• MBA641 – Strategic Project Management
• MBA642 – Project Initiation, Planning and Execution
• MBA643 – Project Risk, Finance and Monitoring
• MBA651 – Managing in Service-based Industries
• MBA652 – Strategy and Leadership in Tourism and Hospitality
• MBA653 – Destination and Visitor Management
• MBA661 – Gendered Workplace Environments
• MBA662 – Personal Growth and Empowerment
• MBA663 – Communication, Persuasion and Influence
• MBA671 – Strategic Value of Analytics
• MBA672 – Data-driven Design Thinking
• MBA673 – Business Analytics Life Cycle.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected specialisation is International Leadership.

The three specialist subjects focus on:

• International strategy
• International business and finance
• Organisational change and innovation.

KBS's current MBA specialisation options include:

• Project Management
• Health Services Management
• Tourism and Hospitality Leadership
• Digital Management
• Entrepreneurship
• International Leadership
• Women in Leadership
• Data-driven Leadership.

Programme Highlights

• AQF Level 9 MBA.
• CRICOS code 078565G.
• Standard duration of 2 years.
• 12 subjects across 6 trimesters.
• 6 core + 3 directed International Leadership + 3 elective subjects.
• Specialist subjects in international strategy, international business and finance, and organisational change and innovation.
• MBA Capstone: Strategy.
• Internship subjects may be available as electives.
• Multiple Australian campus locations.
• Online study available.
• March, May, July, September and November start months.
• Accelerated study options available for eligible Master's degrees, subject to subject availability.

Career Outcomes

KBS specifically identifies these career outcomes for the International Leadership specialisation:

• Global director of strategy
• Remote/Virtual Leader
• Change manager.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current KBS programme information confirms the following important points:

• MBA600 must be taken in the final or penultimate trimester.
• MBA508 requires completion of MBA507.
• Individual subjects may have availability restrictions depending on the study period.
• Students should check the current Kaplink subject list when planning their study sequence.
• Recognition of Prior Learning may allow eligible students to receive credit/exemptions for previous academic study, subject to KBS assessment.

International Student Visa Requirements

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

KBS's application process requires international applicants to:

1. Complete the KBS application.
2. Submit certified supporting documents.
3. Receive an Offer of Admission.
4. Satisfy any conditions attached to the offer.
5. Accept the offer and make the required payment.
6. Receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
7. Use the eCoE to proceed with the Australian Student visa application.

For the Student visa, the Department of Home Affairs currently requires applicants to satisfy applicable conditions including:

• Valid enrolment and CoE.
• Adequate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Genuine Student requirement.
• Health requirements.
• Character requirements.
• Australian Values Statement for applicants aged 18 or older.
• English-language requirements where applicable.
• Financial-capacity requirements where requested.