Executive Master of Business Administration

Executive Master of Business Administration

POSTGRADUATE

Advance your career and expand your impact

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable*

Duration:
Full-time 1.5 years
or part-time equivalent
Fees:

AU$47,040 (2026 annual)

Next intake:
February, December
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 1.5 years
Fees:

AU$53,760 (2026 annual)

Next intake:
February
Location:
Melbourne City

Redefine your career with a course that emphasises leadership, corporate strategy, business design thinking, and innovation.

If you're an experienced professional aspiring to senior leadership, switching industries, or launching your own venture, RMIT's Executive MBA propels you to success. In a world where disruption is the new norm, this degree equips you with the strategic knowledge and leadership skills to spearhead innovation and transformation, leveraging technology to shape a better future.

Study a top-ranked degree

Ranked #5 in Australia (QS Global Executive MBA Rankings 2025) and #35 globally (CEO Magazine Global Executive MBA Rankings 2025), this flagship executive leadership course is underpinned by contemporary business knowledge, practice, and research.

Complete your degree sooner

If you have successfully completed previous studies you may be eligible for credit towards your degree in the form of masters advanced standing or recognition of prior learning.

Highlights of the Executive MBA

Built for executive readiness

This degree emphasises the realities of executive decision-making. You'll study advanced strategies, financial management and global marketing while also tackling areas such as innovation and technology management.

Design thinking and innovation

A distinctive feature is design thinking as a powerful framework for problem-solving and innovation. Through research-based principles and practical methods, you'll learn how to managing complex initiatives and drive team creativity.

Leadership and ethics in practice

Leadership development is central to the Executive MBA experience. Studies in leadership and ethics help you refine your leadership approach and develop the confidence to lead with both vision and integrity.

Specialised minors

The Executive MBA offers 6 specialised minors to enhance your career potential. Choose from Leadership and Technology, Strategic Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics, Public Policy, Arts Management, Fashion Entrepreneurship, or Health Leadership.

Dive deep with specialised minors

Leveraging RMIT's international strengths in technology, design and enterprise, this Executive MBA has been reimagined with 6 specialised minors to deepen your industry expertise and expand your career options. Choose from the following:

Leadership and Technology

Lead with confidence in a digital world through courses in authentic leadership, AI and workforce transformation, and technology futures – designed to sharpen both your people and analytical skills.

 

Strategic Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics

Specialise in AI and data-driven strategy by exploring data architecture, machine learning, and AI for business applications, equipping you to lead responsibly in tech-enabled organisations.

 

Public Policy

 Shape positive change with policy expertise through courses in design, implementation, ethics, and evaluation, building the skills to influence government, NGOs, and business with impact.

Arts Management

Elevate your impact in the arts through courses in management, curating, creative partnerships, and cultural planning, giving you the tools to lead in cultural and creative sectors.

 

Fashion Entrepreneurship

Step into leadership in the fashion world with hands-on courses from fibre to fabric, design innovation, and entrepreneurship – ideal for driving sustainable change in creative industries.

 

Health Leadership

Lead with innovation in health by studying digital health, clinical leadership, entrepreneurship, and assessment practices, preparing you to shape health systems and organisations.

 

Why study the Executive Master of Business Administration at RMIT?

World-class learning, global impact

Learn from international faculty, global experts, industry leaders, and a network of senior professionals and startup founders.

Take control of your leadership journey

Engage with 6 unique specialisations and become a leader who leverages technology to transform industries that influence society, such as public policy, fashion, health, and the arts.

Make a real difference

Leverage technology to create meaningful social impact in your field, driving positive change that benefits industries, communities, and society.

AACSB Accredited

RMIT's College of Business and Law is an accredited member of AACSB
International (AACSB) – the world’s largest business education alliance.

AACSB accreditation is a globally recognised standard of excellence for business
schools, with members in over 100 countries and territories. It signifies a
commitment to quality, continuous improvement and high-quality business
education.

European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) accredited

In addition, the Executive MBA satisfies the quality and content standards defined by the EFMD program accreditation system recognising quality MBA programs. (Accredited for course delivery in Melbourne.)

EFMD is a global network connecting schools and companies committed to cultivating socially responsible leaders and managers. EFMD upholds rigorous standards in management education, with their mission going beyond academia. The organisation actively fosters collaboration between corporate and academic communities, creating meaningful opportunities for exchange, partnership, and shared growth.

The focus on innovation at RMIT really made the program unique – it's quite different to what other universities focus on. This was beneficial for us because it allowed us to learn a new mindset.
Portrait of Katie Rooke, Executive Master of Business Administration at RMIT - Katie Rooke, Executive Master of Business Administration at RMIT

Which MBA will best suit your experience?

Executive Master of Business Administration

If you're an experienced professional and you are looking to expand your career, the Executive MBA is tailored to facilitate your next step into senior management.

Master of Business Administration

Suited to aspiring professionals with limited experience, the MBA has been designed to provide you with industry connections, job-ready skills, knowledge, and real-world experience.

RMIT Bursary

If you're an RMIT University alumnus commencing this degree from Semester 1, 2026, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction on your tuition fees. See fees for more details.

Details

Expand all sections

Learning and teaching

In this degree, you will experience a variety of teaching and learning approaches.

Classes for core subjects (i.e. the 8 courses listed in Stages A and B in the Program Structure) are held predominantly in intensive mode over weekends, and you will work collaboratively in small groups of like-minded students, in addition to independent study. 

Typical Executive MBA students have between 9 and 15 years of professional experience, the majority of which have been in a senior management capacity.

Assessment methods

Assessment is ongoing throughout the semester, and includes examinations, essays, reports, presentations, group projects, research projects, and practical assignments. While group assignments are an important component of every subject, the focus of the assessment is weighted towards individual performance.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT Capabilities

The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.

As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:

  • Ethical Global Citizens
  • Connected
  • Adaptive
  • Digitally Adept
  • Expert
  • Critically Engaged.

RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.

As an Executive MBA student, you can take advantage of RMIT's extensive links to industry.

You can benefit from our successful professional development series, which connects industry with alumni and current students. These forums are an opportunity to strengthen your networks and engage with prominent industry leaders on issues that matter.

Past students have engaged with the CEOs from leading law firms, the Chairman of Australia's Prudential Regulation Authority, the Chief Risk Officer of ANZ, and with Australia's leading business recruitment firms.

Join the ranks

The following are just some of the organisations that engage with our Executive MBA students:

  • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
  • Toll Group
  • REA Group
  • Deloitte Digital
  • Bupa
  • KPMG
  • PwC
  • CapGemini
  • Spotless/Downer
  • National Australia Bank (NAB)
  • Australia Post
  • Medibank
  • Compumedics
  • Spotless
  • CARE
  • Aspect Studios

Executive MBA Advisory Board

This degree is supported by an advisory board that helps steer curriculum development to ensure that executive graduates are prepared to take up leadership positions within the rapidly changing landscape of business management.

The School of Management Advisory Board is made up of members from KPMG, ANZ, Ericsson, Oricia, Shifted, Pro Governance, and Green Lab Futures.

While the Executive MBA is delivered in Melbourne, RMIT constantly facilitates opportunities for students to undertake international study tours.

Previous locations of study tours include Vietnam, Spain, the US, China, and Singapore. You can combine travel and cultural experiences with intensive coursework, and for which you can earn course credit.

Other global mobility options available include:

1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent.

Depending on your previous studies and experience, you could also be eligible for credit towards your degree. Credit granted may reduce the amount of study you need to complete.

For more information please see RMIT’s credit transfer and recognition of prior learning policy.

Classes are held in intensive blocks and are generally on weekends between 9 am–5 pm on campus or in the evenings during the week for subjects within the specialised minors.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

This degree is delivered predominantly via block learning, allowing you to fit your study around your work and life schedule.

As part of your study, you are required to undertake 8 compulsory subjects covering leadership and ethics, design thinking, accounting for business decisions, marketing, financial management, managing technology and innovation strategy, creating business strategy, and a capstone subject focusing on executive consulting.

You'll then select a minor (comprising 4 subjects) to specialise in. Choose form Leadership and Technology, Strategic Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics, Public Policy, Arts Management, Fashion Entrepreneurship, or Health Leadership.

Alternatively, if you do not wish to complete a minor, you may complete 4 subjects from a curated list of course-based electives.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Executive Master of Business Administration
Program code: MC162
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Executive Master of Business Administration
City Campus
1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
MC162P17
058615A
Location
City Campus
Duration
1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Plan code
MC162P17
CRICOS
058615A
View plan
Executive Master of Business Administration
City Campus
1.5 years full-time
MC162P17
058615A
Location
City Campus
Duration
1.5 years full-time
Plan code
MC162P17
CRICOS
058615A
View plan

Career

EMBA students often begin this degree with pre-conceptions about their careers, their capabilities and the jobs that await them.

As they become immersed in their study, they are introduced to new ways of thinking. They explore innovative problem-solving techniques, discover the strength of collaboration and are encouraged to think deeply and analytically about the global future. They undergo a transformation: they begin to develop the approaches of a 21st century senior business leader.

They cover the business essentials, while taking advantage of RMIT’s unique real-world focus and deep industry connections – solving real challenges and building a network of sustainable business connections that can lead to some interesting choices. After completing the capstone executive consulting subject, they step into the world of senior business management with a fresh, novel perspective on the world, and on the opportunities that exist for them.

This is why, when discussing their careers, alumni often say things like, “I never thought I’d be doing this,” or “When I enrolled in this degree, I never imagined the opportunities.”

As an RMIT student, you will develop the tools to design your own future. You will come to see the breadth of possibilities that exist in the world of senior business, and you will discover the leader in yourself.

Expand all sections

Course accreditation or membership offered by professional bodies signals to employers the quality and relevance of RMIT's courses and opens up career pathways and networks.

Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML)

Membership with the Institute of Managers and Leaders [IML] may be available to students.

Visit the Institute of Managers and Leaders

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

Academic

  • An Australian bachelor's degree or equivalent, or higher-level qualification, in any discipline from a recognised tertiary institution with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (out of 4.0);
    OR
  • An Australian bachelor's degree or equivalent, or higher-level qualification, in any discipline from a recognised tertiary institution and a GMAT overall minimum score of 600;
    OR
  • RMIT's Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive).

Work experience

You must have a minimum of 5 years of full-time professional experience (or part-time equivalent), including at least ONE of the following:

  • Experience in a supervisory or management role; or
  • Experience in a senior professional position equivalent to general management with a high level of responsibility and leadership; or
  • Experience as a business owner or founder.

In addition to the academic requirements, you must provide the following:

  • A curriculum vitae (CV) that outlines supervision of staff, performance review, responsibility for budgeting, or other significant responsibility and leadership.
  • A personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining a concise explanation of your personal motivation for undertaking Executive MBA studies, and your attitude towards personal reflection/reflective learning, collaboration and class participation. An interview may be conducted to understand your personal motivations, learning attitudes, and communication skills.
  • 2 (two) referee recommendations either from your supervisor or from a professional peer.

Commonwealth supported place (CSP)

A limited number of Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available in this course. The minimum GPA to be considered for a CSP is 2.7 out of 4.0. To be considered for a CSP you must apply for the CSP offering through the RMIT Application System.

Students currently enrolled in this course in a full-fee place may apply to transfer to a CSP upon completing 48 credit points (not including credit transfer), subject to meeting minimum GPA requirement in full-fee course.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

Pathways and further study

Pathway options

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive) may progress to the Executive Master of Business Administration. Qualifying for the Executive MBA requires the successful completion of a further eight courses.

Advanced standing and credit

Find out how much credit you could be eligible for

If you have successfully completed previous studies, with a major in a business or related discipline, or an unrelated discipline with two years relevant work experience, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree in the form of masters advanced standing or recognition of prior learning.

Enter your study and work experience below, to discover how much credit you may be eligible for:

 

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for Australian qualifications in vocational and higher education.

Further study

Upon successful completion of this master's degree, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate research programs, subject to the program's entrance requirements.

Explore postgraduate research degrees

Fees

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This degree has full-fee places, with a limited number of Commonwealth supported places (CSP). 

Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.

2026 indicative fees

Full-fee places

  •  Full-fee places: AU$47,040* (2026 annual)

Commonwealth supported places

  • 2026 Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$4,738 to AU$17,399*. 

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$373 maximum fee for 2026*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

  • You may be eligible to apply for a HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

If you are offered a full-fee place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.

Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.

How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?

The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package. 

The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2026. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.

Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.

You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2026 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)

Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2026
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture $4,738 per standard year
$592 per standard (12 credit point) course
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology $9,537 per standard year
$1,192 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science $13,558 per standard year
$1,694 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $17,399 per standard year
$2,174 per standard (12 credit point) course

Student Learning Entitlement

On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).

  • The SLE allows students 7 years of full-time subsidised study in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).
  • Your total SLE amount will be reduced in accordance with your overall study load in a CSP. 
  • Once you have utilised all your SLE, you can no longer study in a CSP.
Visit Study Assist for more information about SLE

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2026 is $373.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Explore scholarships

About the bursary

If you're an RMIT University alumnus commencing this degree from Semester 1, 2026, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction on your tuition fees.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility

To be eligible you must be:

  • an RMIT alumnus, having completed an award program at RMIT (including RMIT Vietnam and RMIT Online), and
  • a domestic student commencing* an eligible face-to-face/on-campus (Melbourne campus) RMIT Business or Law postgraduate degree in Semester 1, 2026, and
  • enrolled in a full-fee paying place.

*A student is considered commencing if they are enrolled in the first semester of their degree and have not previously been enrolled. 

Note:

  • If you become eligible for the discount during 2026 (i.e. an international student who receives Permanent Residency) you must contact Business Connect to have your eligibility assessed and the discount applied. (The College of Business and Law will not monitor eligibility or apply the discount outside the normal admissions process).
  • You are eligible for the discount on course enrolments in all degrees that meet the criteria (i.e. both the Graduate Certificate and a Masters degree). 

Exclusions

RMIT Bursary:

  • Cannot be held concurrently with any other scholarship, bursary or any other monetary discounts offered by RMIT (excluding awards).
  • Will not apply to postgraduate studies undertaken in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or online delivered programs.

Payment of bursary:

  • If eligibility is maintained, the discount will apply to all eligible course enrolments in the eligible degree in the year the discount has been awarded (i.e. 2026).
  • The discount will be applied directly to your student account and will be reflected on your invoice.
  • The discount is reviewed annually and may be removed in future years.

Application process

If you are an RMIT alumnus there is no application process. Your eligibility to receive the bursary will be assessed at the time of application and enrolment. If eligible, the bursary will be applied directly to your tuition fees.

Eligible programs

All College of Business and Law postgraduate coursework programs delivered face-to-face/on-campus (Melbourne campus). 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions
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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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