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Master of Business Administration

Course resolutions

The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes).

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2019, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Integrity Policy 2022 and the Academic Integrity Procedures 2022. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies

1 Course codes

Code Course title
GCBUSADM-02 Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
GNBUSADM-02 Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
MABUSADM-06 Master of Business Administration

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is part-time only.

3 Master's type

The masters degree in these resolutions is a professional masters course, as defined by the Coursework Policy.

4 Embedded courses in this sequence

(1) The embedded courses in this sequence are:

(a) the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

(b) the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration

(c) the Master of Business Administration

(2) Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence and receive full credit for work completed in the prior award. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.

5 Admission to candidature

(1) Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria:

(a) Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

(i) Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is only by transfer from a related qualification, as approved by the Business School.

(b) Graduate Diploma in Business Administration:

(i) pass bachelor’s degree or higher qualification (or equivalent) at an institution approved by the Business School and graded at a standard acceptable to the Business School;

(ii) professional work experience of no less than 5 years in a relevant field, as defined by the Business School;

(iii) statement of motivation;

(iv) pass a selection interview establishing the candidate's suitability for the course;

(v) satisfaction of English language requirements; and

(vi) any other minimum standards specified by the Business School; or

(vii) transfer from a related qualification, as approved by the Business School.

(c) Master of Business Administration:

(i) pass bachelors degree or higher qualification with a minimum credit average (or equivalent) at an institution approved by the Business School;

(ii) professional work experience of no less than 3 years in a relevant field, as defined by the Business School;

(iii) statement of motivation;

(iv) pass a selection interview establishing the candidate's suitability for the degree;

(v) satisfaction of English language requirements; and

(vi) any other minimum standards specified by the Business School.

(2) In exceptional circumstances the Business School may admit candidates without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the Business School, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

6 Requirements for award

(1) The units of study that may be taken for the course/s are set out in Table A units of study for the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master of Business Administration.

(2) To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration a candidate must complete 24 credit points in core units of study.

(3) To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration a candidate must complete 48 credit points, comprising:

(a) 42 credit points of core units of study; and

(b) 6 credit points of elective units of study.

(4) To qualify for the award of the Master of Business Administration a candidate must complete 72 credit points, comprising:

(a) 42 credit points of core units of study;

(b) 24 credit points of elective units of study; and

(c) a 6 credit point capstone unit of study.

7 Progression rules

(1) Graduate Diploma in Business Administration:

(a) Candidates must achieve a minimum credit average (65%) in the first four units of study.

(b) Candidates who successfully complete but do not achieve a minimum credit average in the first four units of study will be eligible for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.

(c) Candidates who achieve a minimum credit average (65%) in the first four units of study will be eligible to upgrade to the masters degree.

(2) Master of Business Administration:

(a) Candidates must achieve a minimum credit average (65%) in the first four units of study.

(b) Candidates who successfully complete but do not achieve a minimum credit average in the first four units of study will be eligible for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.

8 Cross-institutional study and international exchange

(1) Cross-institutional study and international exchange may be available in these courses by means of formal partnership agreements.

(2) In exceptional circumstances cross-institutional study to a maximum of 24 credit points may be available to candidates for the Master of Business Administration outside of formal partnership agreements, subject to prior approval by the Business School.

9 Award of the graduate certificate, graduate diploma and masters degree

(1) The graduate certificate, graduate diploma and masters degree will be awarded in the pass grade.

10 Course transfer

(1) A candidate for the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration or Master of Business Administration may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this embedded sequence, with the approval of the School, and provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met.

11 Recognition of prior learning

(1) Credit or waivers may be granted in recognition of prior learning in accordance with the Coursework Policy 2021 (Note: a waiver on its own waives a requirement but does not reduce the volume of learning for the degree as a whole).

(2) Candidates for the Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate in Business Administration may be eligible for full credit for units completed from the following tables:

(a) Table of postgraduate units of study: Executive Master of Business Administration; and

(b) Table of postgraduate units of study: Master of Business Administration (Leadership and Enterprise)

(3) Candidates for the Master of Business Administration may be eligible for credit of up to 36 credit points on the basis of:

(a) relevant postgraduate studies where no award has been conferred; or

(b) learning undertaken with an approved provider deemed by the Business School to be of an equivalent standard to the Master of Business Administration.

12 Transitional provisions

(1) These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2023 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2023 who elect to proceed under these resolutions. Students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2023 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement.