MBA courses typically cover finance, marketing, operations, people and culture, leadership and strategy. These subjects equip graduates with the skills to lead, manage, analyse and strategise in a business environment. An MBA qualification is well respected, and courses have a range of entry requirements.
While having a bachelor’s degree is the most common entry requirement for an MBA, not all students who gain admission and successfully graduate have undergraduate qualifications. If you have experience in a business environment, you may still be eligible to study for an MBA without a degree. This article explores how.
The entry requirements for an MBA course will vary depending on the university or institution, but as you start exploring courses, you’ll discover requirements may include:
Some universities will require all of these, others just one or two. In terms of what is considered a related field and relevant experience, that will depend on the university. However, they will probably want to see experience in a business environment and may even specify an industry type, depending on the course and the university.
Because MBA courses are designed so students graduate with high-level business skills, education providers want to ensure that students will be prepared for the work required to undertake these studies. An MBA is an advanced course and students will need a certain level of skill and knowledge to complete the units. Soft skills such as communication, teamwork and time management are crucial for success. Other skills like project management and financial analysis will also be invaluable for some units.
Studying an MBA also takes a lot of commitment in terms of time and money, and a student will need to show they have the discipline required to keep going.
A bachelor’s degree isn’t the only measure of competency, and many universities will accept students without undergraduate qualifications.
Queensland brand director and business owner Stephanie Quinn, an MBA holder and member of MBAus, used her work experience to gain entry to an MBA. Stephanie honed and developed her business skills while working for a major supermarket and a regional bank, but she wanted a qualification to back up her experience.
“Working in quite a traditional corporate landscape, I was often asked what I studied at university,” Stephanie says. “As an 18-year-old, I dropped out in the first year of a Bachelor of Business. Instead of a university degree, I got experience in leadership and finance.”
Stephanie felt that to climb the corporate ladder even further, she needed a qualification. “Since I was 17, I have moved in and out of leadership or management roles in different companies. A lot of the MBA courses I looked at allowed students to enter through experience rather than requiring an undergraduate degree.”
She started her studies with a graduate certificate, which she could then use to gain entry to an MBA.
Like Stephanie, many students discover that their business experience allows them entry to an MBA course.
Here are ways you can enter an MBA course without a bachelor’s qualification in business:
It’s important to note that universities are considering your experience, not your job title. If you manage people in your role, even if your job title isn’t one of manager, your experience may still be counted.
Still not sure if you’re ready to study an MBA? Like Stephanie, you might surprise yourself. “I vividly remember leaving my interview for the MBA course, convinced I was not smart enough to study a graduate certificate. Yet, I graduated from the MBA course with a distinction.
“If you’ve been in business or leadership environments for a few years, an MBA will help you put the puzzle pieces together and grow your confidence. It gave me the skills and understanding to speak with senior leadership and heightened my understanding of strategy.”
It also gave Stephanie the confidence to make a career change and buy her own business in 2019. “We successfully navigated our way through the challenges of COVID-19 and I have been able to significantly grow the business since.”
These MBA Discovery partner universities offer a range of pathways to their online MBA courses. Let’s take a look at the entry requirements of each for non-degree holders.
Many professionals find they’re eligible to enrol in MBA courses without a bachelor’s degree and go on to gain these well-respected qualifications. Not sure if you’re ready for an MBA? Graduate certificates and diplomas are well-respected alternatives to an MBA, allowing you to gain valuable qualifications and ease into studying. They also provide a solid foundation if you do go on to study at a master’s level.
Need help planning your career and discovering if you have the experience and skills to study an MBA? Do you have questions about MBA career paths and just where this qualification can take you? Get these questions answered and find out if your education and experience make you a suitable candidate to study an MBA by speaking to a Student Enrolment Advisor today.
Whether you’re ready to enrol, or just have a quick question, simply fill out the enquiry form below to speak directly to the university’s enrolment team. They will be able to guide you through:
