Entry requirements
Admission criteria
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved both of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
Undergraduate or higher qualifications
- A completed bachelor (AQF level 7) or bachelor honours (AQF level 8) degree or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution; AND
Professional experience
- A minimum of 3 years of full-time (or equivalent) professional experience.
English language entry requirements
In addition, international students who speak English as an additional language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at Adelaide University. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.
- IELTS Overall 7
- IELTS Reading 6
- IELTS Listening 6
- IELTS Speaking 6
- IELTS Writing 6
Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by Adelaide University and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements:
Equivalent English qualificationsTo speak with our expert team and have your questions answered, contact us to book a personalised 1:1 appointment.
Why Master of Business Administration?
Interested in developing your business acumen, HR expertise and leadership skills? Our Master of Business Administration specialising in Human Resource Management is a dynamic and industry-connected degree designed to advance your career.
You will learn how to be a global business leader, ready to adapt to an ever-changing business landscape. You’ll graduate ready for disruptions in technology, digitalisation, and sustainability – areas predicted to drive employment in the next five years (World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report, 2023).
Your specialisation in Human Resource Management will give you the expertise to shape company culture. Explore topics on leading change, employment relations, and building workforce capabilities. You’ll make invaluable industry connections with experienced professionals and industry executives.
Tailor your Master of Business Administration (MBA) to suit your needs. Choose to complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors course as part of your MBA, preparing you to think and act as a global business leader.

Overview
Ready to elevate your career in management, leadership and human resources? If you’re motivated to drive solutions, lead innovative teams and deliver exceptional results in the context of disruptive change and global uncertainty, Adelaide University’s MBA is for you.
Your specialisation in Human Resource Management will teach you to manage global teams by deepening your problem-solving, leadership and people management skills. In 1.5 years, you’ll have the expertise to drive business success through effective human resource initiatives. The dynamic nature of this degree will also equip you to work in various business development roles.
Key features
Learn from industry executives and leading scholars in human resource management.
Work on real company case studies, hear from guest speakers and experience industry and alumni mentorships.
Study and network with a cohort of diverse professionals.
Complete an industry project to suit your individual needs and preferences.
Complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course as part of your studies.
Graduate with expert knowledge in human resource management.
What you'll learn
Adelaide University’s MBA specialising in Human Resource Management comprises of seven core courses (including a capstone), three specialisation courses and two electives.
You’ll learn about leadership, inclusivity, value creation, sustainability, strategy and ethics. You’ll also study topics specific to your major in human resource management including leading change, employment relations and workforce capabilities.
Our MBA is designed to interact closely with industry. You’ll complete industry mentorships, hear from guest speakers and work on real business case studies. There will also be opportunities to tailor your studies to suit your needs. Choose to complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors course as part of your MBA.
Specialisations
Did you know that you can also choose an MBA with a specialisation in one of the following:
You can also complete a flexible general MBA with no specialisation.

What courses you'll study
Complete 72 units for either of the following:
- All of the following:
- 42 units for all Core courses, and
- 6 to 30 units for Electives, or
- All of the following:
- 42 units for all Core courses, and
- 18 to 24 units for all Specialisations, and
- 6 to 30 units for Electives
Complete 42 units for ALL of the following:
Course name | Course code | Units | |
---|---|---|---|
Course name
Metrics: Finance and Accounting
|
Course code
BAFI5006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Leadership: Self and Others
|
Course code
BUSI5007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategy
|
Course code
BUSI5010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Sustainability, Risk and Governance
|
Course code
BUSI5018
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategic Industry Project
|
Course code
BUSI6066
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
People
|
Course code
HRES5010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Value: Marketing
|
Course code
MARK5002
|
Units
6
|
Course name | Course code | Units | |
---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | |||
Semester 1 | |||
![]() |
Course name
People
|
Course code
HRES5010
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Metrics: Finance and Accounting
|
Course code
BAFI5006
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Sustainability, Risk and Governance
|
Course code
BUSI5018
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Value: Marketing
|
Course code
MARK5002
|
Units
6
|
Semester 2 | |||
![]() |
Course name
Leadership: Self and Others
|
Course code
BUSI5007
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Strategy
|
Course code
BUSI5010
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Year 2 | |||
Semester 1 | |||
![]() |
Course name
Strategic Industry Project
|
Course code
BUSI6066
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Leading Change
|
Course code
HRES2003
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Employment Relations
|
Course code
HRES2005
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Workforce Capabilities
|
Course code
HRES2006
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
Course name | Course code | Units | |
---|---|---|---|
Course name
Leading Change
|
Course code
HRES2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Employment Relations
|
Course code
HRES2005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Workforce Capabilities
|
Course code
HRES2006
|
Units
6
|
Course name | Course code | Units | |
---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | |||
Semester 1 | |||
![]() |
Course name
People
|
Course code
HRES5010
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Metrics: Finance and Accounting
|
Course code
BAFI5006
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Sustainability, Risk and Governance
|
Course code
BUSI5018
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Value: Marketing
|
Course code
MARK5002
|
Units
6
|
Semester 2 | |||
![]() |
Course name
Leadership: Self and Others
|
Course code
BUSI5007
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Strategy
|
Course code
BUSI5010
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Year 2 | |||
Semester 1 | |||
![]() |
Course name
Strategic Industry Project
|
Course code
BUSI6066
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Leading Change
|
Course code
HRES2003
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Employment Relations
|
Course code
HRES2005
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Workforce Capabilities
|
Course code
HRES2006
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 to 30 units comprising:
- 6 to 30 units from Program electives
Course name | Course code | Units | |
---|---|---|---|
Course name
Finance
|
Course code
BAFI5002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business and Climate Change
|
Course code
BUSI5008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategic Value Chains
|
Course code
BUSI5009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
|
Course code
BUSI5011
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
|
Course code
BUSI5034
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
AICD Company Directors Course
|
Course code
BUSI6008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Organisational Dynamics
|
Course code
BUSI6054
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Applied Behavioural Economics
|
Course code
ECON5031
|
Units
6
|
Course name | Course code | Units | |
---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | |||
Semester 1 | |||
![]() |
Course name
People
|
Course code
HRES5010
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Metrics: Finance and Accounting
|
Course code
BAFI5006
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Sustainability, Risk and Governance
|
Course code
BUSI5018
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Value: Marketing
|
Course code
MARK5002
|
Units
6
|
Semester 2 | |||
![]() |
Course name
Leadership: Self and Others
|
Course code
BUSI5007
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Strategy
|
Course code
BUSI5010
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Year 2 | |||
Semester 1 | |||
![]() |
Course name
Strategic Industry Project
|
Course code
BUSI6066
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Leading Change
|
Course code
HRES2003
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Employment Relations
|
Course code
HRES2005
|
Units
6
|
![]() |
Course name
Workforce Capabilities
|
Course code
HRES2006
|
Units
6
|

Career outcomes
As an MBA graduate specialising in Human Resource Management, you could work in various roles and industries. You might discover and onboard top-tier talent for a global company. You could work as a development consultant, helping improve company performance. Perhaps your focus will be championing employee growth and wellbeing.
Some career paths you could pursue include:
- Talent acquisition specialist
- HR business partner
- Employee relations manager
- Learning and development coordinator
- Compensation and benefits analyst
- Training and development manager
- Diversity and inclusion officer
- CEO
- Board director
- Entrepreneur.
Our MBA will also equip you to pursue a diverse range of careers in senior business leadership.
Industry trends
In the next five years, the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report (2023) anticipates a boom in jobs for professionals who can adapt to demands in technology and sustainability. Our MBA will give you this future-focused skillset, allowing you to confidently lead teams through times of change.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.

Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
