“We just wrapped up consulting week. We had 82 representatives from companies recruiting and the largest student audience we had at one time (including EMBA students) was 82 students. The dynamics there are pretty favorable if you’re looking to stand out and get 1-1 face time to chat to recruiters, a phenomenal advantage.”

Dr. Michele Roberts, MBA Academic Director of the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at University of New South Wales (UNSW), discusses what makes the AGSM MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more.

Program Highlights (3:20) | Admissions (31:00) | Careers (47:30)

About Our Guest

Dr. Michele Roberts is the MBA Academic Director of AGSM at UNSW, looking after all its MBA Programs. Michele teaches MBA courses in Marketing Management and Foundations of Management. Prior to academic life, Michele worked as a Marketing Manager at a Fortune 500 company in London and Melbourne. She holds a Masters’ Degree in Marketing and a PhD in Marketing & Public Policy from the University of Western Australia.

What is unique about the AGSM MBA? What are its key advantages?

• Located in Sydney, the financial capital of Australia where 280+ MNCs have their regional offices, and the center of Australia’s start-up scene
• UNSW is known as a STEM powerhouse and is ranked 44th in the world by QS; it’s also the top university in Australia for graduating the most number of Founders and Fortune 500 CEOs
• AGSM has strong focus on disruption; graduates can get an MBA with a specialization in Technology, and graduate certificates in Technology Management and Digital Innovation
• AGSM MBA lasts 12 months, but can be extended to 24 months
• AGSM has 90 Adjunct Professors working in industry who teach MBAs
• 70% of Full-time MBAs spend the final fourth quarter of the MBA studying abroad through PIM business school network; 80% of students do a 1-week intensive course abroad through GNAM business school network
• Admissions is looking for diverse applicants with a sense of purpose, community vision, and grit. A growth mindset and humility are also highly valued.
• AGSM has world’s oldest online MBA, ranked #4 in the world

Touch MBA’s AGSM MBA Fast Facts

last updated October 2021

(AGSM’s MBA now lasts 12-months and starts in May)

Program Highlights (3:20)

• 1 intake/year in May
• Length: 12 months, and can be extended for 12 months to do an applied research project and internship
• ~50 participants/intake
• ~20 nationalities/intake; 62% international; class is 50% female
• Program structure: 2-week intensive Foundations of Management, 7 core courses over first 2 terms, 4 electives over the final term, (optional) exchange at 28 leading business schools, (optional) MBA extension for applied research project and internship
• Rankings: #79 Financial Times 2021, #8 Forbes 2019
• Accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and PRME

Admissions (31:00)

• 7 rounds of deadlines from August to March
• Applicants get decision back (with scholarship offers) within weeks of applying
• Avg GMAT: 686, GMAT required, 600 minimum suggested
• Avg age: 31, Avg work experience: 8, 2 years of work experience required
• 2 recommendations required
• English proficiency requirements: TOEFL (94 IBT, 589 PBT), IELTS (7), PTE (65)
• Round 1 Interviews done via Kira video platform; Round 2 Interviews done face-to-face or on Zoom with Dr. Michele and colleagues

Financing & Scholarships

• Full-time MBA Tuition: 78,480 AUD
• Merit-based scholarships available up to full tuition, awarded to domestic and international students, and indigenous Australians. 

Careers (47:30)

• Full-time placement report? No
• 82% of graduates employed within 3 months (Financial Times)
• Average salary is $108,376 USD, 3 years after graduation (Financial Times)
• Top Industries: Consulting, Consumer Goods, Technology, and Finance, with increasing numbers of graduates working for start-ups
• Top Functions: Consulting, General Management, Sales & Business Development, Product Management
• Top Geographies: 88% Australia, 5% Asia, 5% Europe 
• International MBA graduates can apply for a work visa letter (2 years) or employer sponsorship; applicants are encouraged to seek advice from a licensed visa agent
• Alumni statistics: 17,000+ AGSM alumni in 65 countries

Show Notes

• Get feedback on your profile from AGSM MBA’s Admissions Team
• The AGSM MBA
• Fragomen Immigration Lawyers and Consultants

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