Australian online MBAs continue to climb international rankings with three of four Australian universities reporting improved rankings in the latest QS 2020 global Online MBA rankings released today.
QS ranked online MBA programs from 47 global management schools across four key indicators: Employability, Class Experience, Faculty and Teaching, and Class Profile.
AGSM @ UNSW (4th), Deakin Business School (20th), La Trobe University (30th) and Curtin Graduate School of Business (40th) all made the top 40 with the first three improving their overall rankings.
The list was topped by Spain’s IE Business School, Imperial College Business School (UK) and Warwick Business School (UK).
| 2020 Rank (2019) | School | Duration | Fees | Average work Experience | Class size |
| 4 (6) | AGSM at University of New South Wales | 40 months | $57,960 Domestic $57,960 International |
13 years | 275 |
| 20 (24) | Deakin Business School | 30 months | $50,700 Domestic $60,600 International |
12 years | 118 |
| 30 (32) | La Trobe University | 24 months | $57,000 Domestic $60,300 International |
10 years | 4 |
| 40 (37) | Curtin Graduate School of Business | 35 months | $35,550 Domestic $40,000 International |
14 years | 40 |
AGSM ranked significantly above the global average on all four indicators. Online learning is booming and demand for the MBAx has nearly doubled over the same time last year.
“AGSM has once again been recognised as one of the top ranked Online MBAs in the world,” said Nick Wailes, AGSM Director and Deputy Dean UNSW Business School. “We are very proud of the program, the outstanding students it attracts and the success of our alumni.”
Employability reflects 30% of the total ranking score and the AGSM MBAX scored 81.2 out of 100 on this metric (the global mean score is 49.3). It is calculated based on the results of the QS Global Employer Survey that asks employers from which schools they prefer to hire business school graduates.
Employers across all sectors, types, and geographic regions take part including leading business school hiring companies such as McKinsey, Google, Siemens, Airbus, and many more.
“Employers perceive value in leaders who are equipped to contribute to the organisation and our Online MBA alumni are just as successful as the graduates of our full-time or executive MBA programs,” said Wailes. “They have access to the same contemporary curriculum, experienced faculty and robust alumni network,” he said.
“They can select the core courses that suit their needs and then specialise in Change, Technology, Finance or Social Impact,” he said. “Later this year we will add an additional MBAX specialisation in Medical Technology and Pharmaceuticals.”
Curtin University Faculty of Business and Law Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel de Bussy said there has never been a more important time for universities to offer quality online courses.
“As the current pandemic continues to disrupt conventional learning, Curtin is proud to offer a consistently high quality online MBA program that offers students a seamless learning experience,” Professor de Bussy said.
“The QS Rankings are a highly regarded source of comparative data in terms of online MBAs and I am delighted Curtin has again been recognised as an outstanding provider.”
Newly appointed Curtin MBA Director Dr Dorothy Wardale said Curtin’s MBA offering is continuing to evolve with a sharp focus on the student and connection to industry.
“Curtin’s MBA is already world-class – offering outstanding specialisations (particularly in Oil and Gas) as well as industry engagement opportunities. Now we are adding to our program with specialisations in Digital Marketing and Enterprise and Innovation,” Dr Wardale said.
“The latest QS ranking is another international recognition for Curtin’s flagship MBA, which is the only course in WA, and one of only four in Australia, to hold EPAS accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).
For the full rankings visit QS Online MBA Rankings.
