Introducing Flinders University's
unique PhD and MBA program
Flinders University's PhD-MBA program is the first of its kind in Australia.
This is your opportunity to become an expert in your field by exploring your passion for research while developing world-class leadership and business skills, preparing you for a broad range of careers.
By combining a PhD with an MBA (Future Business), you will graduate with an MBA that is completed alongside and after your PhD research.
Duration:
4 years
Delivery mode:
On-campus
Online
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
January - March
May - July
October
Indicative fees (2025):
MBA (Future Business): $42,768 (Includes 20% off for combined PhD-MBA students)
PhD: Scholarships and Fee Offsets are available
PhD research areas:
View here
*Available at Flinders City campus.
Duration:
5 years
Delivery mode:
On-campus
Availability:
Full-time
Start dates:
January - March
May - July
October
Indicative annual fees (2024):
MBA (Future Business): $47,360 (Includes 20% off fees for combined PhD-MBA students)
PhD: Scholarships and Fee Offsets are available
*Available at Flinders City campus.
"Flinders University's MBA programs now offer the opportunity for PhD students to complement their research degree with business knowledge and skills.
This will undoubtedly contribute to increase their employability across many different sectors of our economy."
Associate Professor Angie Abdel Shafei
MBA Director
"Flinders MBA programs now offer the opportunity to PhD students to complement their research degree with business knowledge and skills.
This will undoubtedly contribute to increase their employability across many different sectors of our economy."
Associate Professor Angie Abdel Shafei
MBA Director
"Flinders University's MBA programs now offer the opportunity for PhD students to complement their research degree with business knowledge and skills.
This will undoubtedly contribute to increase their employability across many different sectors of our economy."
Associate Professor Angie Abdel Shafei
MBA Director
"Flinders MBA programs now offer the opportunity to PhD students to complement their research degree with business knowledge and skills.
This will undoubtedly contribute to increase their employability across many different sectors of our economy."
Associate Professor Angie Abdel Shafei
MBA Director
On average, MBA graduates earn 77% more than those with only a Bachelor’s Degree.*
*(Graduate Management Admission Council 2021)
We’ll connect you with industry experts who will nurture your talent, and challenge you to rise higher.
Industries 4.0 and 5.0 will need to achieve goals beyond growth. We embed sustainability and the resilient, human-centric power that industry seeks into every topic throughout the MBA.
It’s flexible, with online study options available in addition to on-campus (in the Adelaide CBD).
"This new program will allow students to draw from different disciplines, pursue more than one interest and become interdisciplinary thinkers who solve technology and business problems in industry, government and not-for-profit organisations."
Professor Harald Janovjak
Matthew Flinders Professor
Academic Lead for the PhD-MBA program
Entry criteria vary between Higher Degree by Research (HDR) courses so you must check admission requirements for your degree.
Competitive HDR scholarships are awarded on academic merit and research potential.
You can enrol in a HDR by following our six simple steps to prepare your application.
In your PhD application, you can then select to enrol in the PhD-MBA (Future Business) program. Tick the box, and you're all set!
"This new program will allow students to draw from different disciplines, pursue more than one interest and become interdisciplinary thinkers who solve technology and business problems in industry, government and not-for-profit organisations."
Professor Harald Janovjak
Matthew Flinders Professor
Academic Lead for the PhD-MBA program
This program is available to all disciplines and all PhD degrees offered at Flinders University, from engineering, the life and medical sciences, the physical sciences, the humanities to the social sciences.
All of our research supervisors are leaders in their field in both Australia and overseas, who draw on their extensive knowledge and networks to help you deliver valuable research outcomes.
To find a supervisor, you'll first need to identify an area of interest. Then, get in touch with a supervisor of your choice.
Yes, under the assumption that you complete your PhD in three years the PhD-MBA program is a four-year program.
This is possible, but you will need to contact us as we approve these requests on a case-by-case basis.
By taking on this combination of a PhD and MBA (Future Business) you can access an integrated program that is accelerated and more affordable, and the only one available in Australia - leading to quicker promotions in the workplace. FEE-HELP is available for the MBA course that is relevant here (MBA Future Business).
Domestic higher degree by research students are normally provided a Research Training Program fee offset to cover tuition fees for up to four years full-time equivalent study for a PhD. All students are required to pay a compulsory student services and amenities fee - however, some reductions may apply. The fee will be used for prescribed student support services and amenities that are of a non-academic nature.
The usual PhD scholarships and stipends are available to students in this program. These vary between fields and disciplines so it is best to discuss this with your supervisor.
Enquire below and we will send you more information.
Yes, both degrees start at the same time and there will be MBA topics during your PhD. To allow you to have the best PhD possible, these topics will not interfere with important PhD milestones, for instance your confirmation or thesis submission.
No, this is not necessary. Your MBA studies will be limited to a few months every year and to one or a few evenings in a typical week. Therefore your research will continue during this time.
Yes, there will be multiple opportunities. Firstly, you will be able to engage with research end users in an industry internship (at least sixty days full time) during your PhD. Discuss this with your supervisor. Secondly, you will have the option of exchanging one MBA topic for an industry placement. Discuss this with the PhD-MBA team. Thirdly, you will have contact with industry leaders/mentors through the MBA topics and cohort.
You will be immersed in two cohorts, your PhD student peers and the MBA students. You will have a wide local and international network at the end of the program.
Yes, you will be awarded two degrees.
No, not at all. Changes to one degree, for instance your MBA, do not impact the other degree, for instance your PhD. These degrees are also assessed separately. You can however defer your MBA topics should you require additional time in your PhD.
Yes. If you complete four MBA topics, you can obtain a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. This is independent of your PhD completion.
This program is available to all disciplines and all PhD degrees offered at Flinders University, from engineering, the life and medical sciences, the physical sciences, the humanities to the social sciences.
All of our research supervisors are leaders in their field in both Australia and overseas, who draw on their extensive knowledge and networks to help you deliver valuable research outcomes.
To find a supervisor, you'll first need to identify an area of interest. Then, get in touch with a supervisor of your choice.
Yes, under the assumption that you complete your PhD in four years the PhD-MBA program is a five-year program.
This is possible, but you will need to contact us as we approve these requests on a case-by-case basis.
The usual PhD scholarships and stipends are available to students in this program. These vary between fields and disciplines so it is best to discuss this with your supervisor.
Yes, enquire below and we will send you more information. This program is available to many disciplines and many PhD degrees offered at Flinders University, from engineering, the life and medical sciences to the physical sciences.
Yes, both degrees start at the same time and there will be MBA topics during your PhD. To allow you to have the best PhD possible, these topics will not interfere with important PhD milestones, for instance your confirmation or thesis submission.
No, this is not necessary. Your MBA studies will be limited to a few months every year and to one or a few evenings in a typical week. Therefore your research will continue during this time.
Yes, there will be multiple opportunities. Firstly, you will be able to engage with research end users in an industry internship (at least sixty days full time) during your PhD. Discuss this with your supervisor. Secondly, you will have the option of exchanging one MBA topic for an industry placement. Discuss this with the PhD-MBA team. Thirdly, you will have contact with industry leaders/mentors through the MBA topics and cohort.
You will be immersed in two cohorts, your PhD student peers and the MBA students. You will have a wide local and international network at the end of the program.
Yes, you will be awarded two degrees.
No, not at all. Changes to your MBA will not impact your PhD. These degrees are also assessed separately. You can also defer your MBA topics should you require additional time in your PhD.
Yes. If you complete four MBA topics, you can obtain a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.
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