Admission requirements (for coursework programs)

Minimum entry requirements for each course can be found on the respective course page.

Minimum entry requirements do not guarantee entry. Entry to our programs is competitive. Applications are assessed by a Selection Committee who take into account the student's qualifications and potential.

Applications on prescribed forms cannot be considered without original or certified documentary evidence of all qualifications, which must include a transcript showing results for all subjects attempted and proof of completion of the degree. If the documents are not in English, a certified translation is required. Applicants who do not provide all required documentation may not be assessed in time for the commencement of the semester applied for. Applications may be accepted after the closing date, but late applicants may not be considered for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) or scholarships.

Broad selection guidelines:

If you are a local or international student and have completed undergraduate study at an Australian university:

  • For GSBE programs that do not require specific pre-requisite subjects – we look at a minimum overall GPA only
  • For programs that do require specific pre-requisite subjects – we look at a minimum overall GPA as well as achieving the minimum GPA in the pre-requisite subjects.

If you are a local or international student and have completed undergraduate study at a non-Australian university

  • For programs that do not require specific pre-requisite subjects – we look at a minimum overall GPA only
  • For programs that do require specific pre-requisite subjects – we look at a minimum overall GPA as well as achieving the minimum GPA in the pre-requisite subjects.

If you are applying to a program that has a work experience requirement, you must provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) that details your work experience. Your CV must be accompanied by reference letters from your employer(s) on company letterhead.

graduate student sitting in Melbourne city

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GMAT is a standardised assessment delivered in English. It is used by leading business schools around the world to assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. The GMAT consists of three sections – analytical writing, quantitative and verbal – and measures a person's ability to read, understand and reason logically with both verbal and quantitative material. It does not measure knowledge in specific subjects.

Similarly, the GRE is also a standardised assessment delivered in English. Graduate programs and business schools use GRE scores to evaluate candidate’s readiness for graduate-level work. The GRE also consists of three sections – analytical writing, quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning, that are not related to any specific field of study.

Applicants are given a choice to complete the GMAT or the GRE with the exception of the Master of Economics and the Master of Actuarial Science programs, where applicants are required to sit the GRE.

The GMAT/GRE is recommended but not mandatory for applicants to GSBE masters programs who meet all of the following conditions:

  • have completed an undergraduate degree in Australia;
  • have completed their undergraduate degree  within 18 months of applying, and
  • are applying to masters programs at the GSBE that do not require prior work experience

The GMAT/GRE is recommended but not mandatory for all applicants who fit into the ‘humanitarian aid case’ category*.

The Selection Committee uses the GMAT as one of several indicators of a candidate's ability to benefit from the program.

Applicants should also note that the Graduate School of Business and Economics will refund GMAT/GRE fees upon successful enrolment into our graduate courses. The refund will be in the form of a deduction to tuition fees.

* Definition of ‘humanitarian aid case’:

  • Applicants who are in receipt of a sponsored scholarship from a humanitarian aid organisation (eg AusAid)
  • Applicants who hold a permanent Humanitarian Visa for Australia
  • Applicants who can demonstrate that humanitarian crisis impacts on their ability to sit the GMAT/GRE (eg, residence in country where there has been a recent critical threat to their health, safety, security or wellbeing through armed conflict, epidemic, famine, or natural disaster).

GMAT Registration
In many countries, the GMAT is now a computer adaptive test (CAT) and appointments to undertake the GMAT can be made easily. You can register for the GMAT by contacting the test co-ordinator in your home country. Details of these contact numbers are available at www.mba.com

In Australia, the GMAT is administered by:
Pearson VUE AP GMAT Candidate Services
Email services are available Monday-Friday , 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. AEST. Response time for email sent outside of these times may be up to 48hrs.
Email: GMATCandidateServicesAPAC@pearson.com
Telephone services are available Monday-Friday at the following number and times:
Phone: +60 3 8318 9961 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. AEST

GRE Registration
You can register for the GRE by contacting the test co-ordinator in your home country. Details of these contact numbers are available at: www.ets.org/gre

Personal statement

Your application must include a personal statement of no more than 800 words. It should describe your personal motivation to undertake further study, and can include details of your personal circumstances as well as your life and work experiences. It should emphasise any aspect of your personal history that may enhance your application, including extra-curricular activity, community involvement, work experience, relevant personal characteristics and any outstanding achievements.

Work experience

All applicants to programs with work experience requirements must include a letter from their employer(s) outlining:

  • Nature of duties
  • Start and end dates of their employment
  • Whether the placement was part-time or full-time.

Letters must be written on company letterhead.

English language requirements – coursework degrees

Applicants from countries where English is not the official language or the language of instruction and assessment must provide evidence of English language proficiency. Documentary evidence of having obtained the minimum scores required in either the American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) within the previous 24 months is required.

TOEFL

Minimum score of 577 and score of 5.0 in Test of Written English (TWE).

TOEFL (Computer Based)

Minimum score of 233 and score of 5.0 on the Essay Rating.

TOEFL (Internet Based)

Minimum score of 90 and score of 24 in Writing, with no band lower than 21.

IELTS

Minimum score of 6.0 on all bands and a minimum overall band score of 6.5.

Applicants may be provisionally offered a place in the program on the condition they attain the required minimum English proficiency level before commencing the program.

Non-native English speakers are also offered the opportunity and are encouraged to undertake the Diagnostic English Language Assessment (DELA) offered by the University during Orientation Week, to ascertain whether they might benefit from further English language assistance.