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Master of Business Administration (MBAD) - MBA

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: MBAD01; Online: MBAD03; Springfield campus: MBAD04

CRICOS code (International applicants): 066850A

 On-campusOnline
Semester intake:Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 3 (November)
Campus:Springfield, Toowoomba -
Fees:Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
Standard duration:1.5 years full-time, up to 6 years part-time 
Program articulation:

From: Graduate Certificate of Business

To: Doctor of Business Administration

Notes

Not all specialisation courses are available on-campus. For further information, contact the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts.
There are limited courses available in semester 3.

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Contact us

Future Australian and New Zealand students  Future International students  Current students 

Freecall (within Australia): 1800 269 500
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 5315
Email: study@usq.edu.au  

Phone: +61 7 4631 5543
Email: international@usq.edu.au 

Freecall (within Australia): 1800 007 252
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 2285
Email usq.support@usq.edu.au 

Continuing MBA students please note: transition arrangements are available if you commenced your MBA prior to semester 1, 2012.

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Professional accreditation

USQ is registered with the (PMI)® as a Global Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.). A study of project management at USQ earns professional development units towards certification with PMI including towards the Project Management Professional (PMP)®.

PMI and PMP are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The Master of Business Administration (Strategic Human Resource Management) is accredited by (AHRI).

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Program aims

The USQ MBA program will enhance student analytical skills related to management, people, markets, finance, and technical knowledge. Graduates will be able to solve complex organisational problems and be able to manage change through the mastery of particular skills related to creativity, information literacy, and self reflection. The program focuses on how to demonstrate leadership in global sustainability and how to understand the nature of ethical decisions across contemporary business practice. The USQ MBA program will enable graduates to work in virtual and non-traditional work environments and increase personal mastery in oral and written communication.

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Program objectives

The MBA graduate will be able to:

  • demonstrate applied knowledge of people, markets, finances, technology and management skills in practice

  • identify and solve complex organisational problems, creatively, and practically to increase the effectiveness of management processes

  • communicate professionally and effectively in a range of modes to various audiences to achieve targeted outcomes

  • demonstrate an understanding of organisations in the global environment and the impact of these on organisational systems

  • evaluate, synthesise and critically review theoretical frameworks with other evidence to provide solutions to real-world problems

  • demonstrate reflective practice and apply learning to different contexts

  • demonstrate an understanding of the impact of interpersonal communication on specific management processes and outcomes using relevant theories and concepts

  • comprehend and address complex ethical dilemmas

  • demonstrate an understanding of complex sustainable dilemmas and the need for responsible leadership

  • demonstrate an understanding of the skills required to work in non-traditional and virtual working environments

  • demonstrate the skills required for leadership of other, working in teams and working with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds in both virtual and real-time spaces

  • communicate professionally and effectively in both oral and written communication to various audiences to achieve targeted outcomes.


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Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 09. Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting .

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Admission requirements

Entry into the Master of Business Administration requires a tertiary qualification at bachelor degree or equivalent (AQF level 7) in a business-related discipline from a recognised institution, and two years’ full-time relevant professional work experience in business. (Acceptable tertiary qualifications include USQ's Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce).

For candidates who have a bachelor degree or equivalent (AQF level 7) in a non-related discipline from a recognised institution, with two years' full-time relevant professional work experience in business, USQ’s Graduate Certificate of Business provides an articulation pathway into the Master of Business Administration. Upon completion and achievement of a minimum GPA of 4.0, they will be eligible for entry into the Master of Business Administration.

Candidates with a graduate certificate (AQF level 8) or higher qualification in any discipline, with two years' full-time relevant professional work experience in business may apply for entry into the Master of Business Administration. Eligibility for entry will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a ¾«¶«´«Ã½app-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, you may be admitted to an award program.

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Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.
Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for .

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

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Program structure

The Master of Business Administration consists of 12 courses, each of one unit, comprising 8 core courses plus 4 discipline specialisation courses or 4 general specialisation courses.

  • The core of 8 units comprises 4 foundation core courses and 4 non-foundation core courses.

  • The discipline specialisation comprises 3 discipline-specific courses plus the capstone course .

  • The General specialisation comprises any 3 related courses plus the capstone course . The selection of the three elective courses is subject to the approval of the Program Coordinator in the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts or a nominee. To discuss which courses to study within the General specialisation, please . All course pre-requisites must be met.


Students will normally be required to complete the 4 foundation core courses before progressing to the other courses.

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Core courses

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
Semester of offer
Toowoomba campus 
Semester of offer
Springfield campus 
Foundation core courses 
  1, 3 
  2, 3 
  1, 3 
  2, 3 
Non-foundation core courses: 
(Formerly CIS5001)  1, 2  1, 2 
  1, 2 
  1, 2, 3   
  1, 2   

Transitional arrangements for students who commenced the MBA program prior to Semester 1, 2012

MBA structure — prior to 2012  MBA structure — from 2012 
   
CIS5001 Information Systems Strategy  (Comparable course to CIS5001) 
   
   
   
(No longer offered under the new MBA structure. If not completed, enrol in or .   
LAW5503 Australian Law and Business/LAW5504 Comparative Law and Business (No longer offered under the new MBA structure. If not completed, enrol in or .   
   
   
   
  (Now a requirement of each specialisation) 
Specialisation  Specialisation 
Specialisation  Specialisation 
Specialisation  Specialisation 
Specialisation   
TOTAL = 12  TOTAL = 12 

Transition arrangements for FIN5003, LAW5503 and LAW5504.

  • If you have already completed , then you may elect to use this course as a substitute for either or .

  • If you have already completed LAW5503 Australian Law and Business/LAW5504 Comparative Law and Business , then you may elect to use this course as a substitute for either or .

  • If you have only completed one of or LAW5503 Australian Law and Business/LAW5504 Comparative Law and Business , you may choose between and .

  • If you have already completed both and LAW5503 Australian Law and Business/LAW5504 Comparative Law and Business , you are not required to complete or .

  • If you have not completed or LAW5503 Australian Law and Business/LAW5504 Comparative Law and Business , you should select , or .

  • If you have already completed 4 specialisation courses and both and LAW5503 Australian Law and Business/LAW5504 Comparative Law and Business , you can choose from any six of , , , , , , , , .


If you have not undertaken any specialisation courses, then you should select courses from the specialisations below: Agribusiness, Digital Transformation, Finance, Global Business Management, Project Management, Strategic Human Resource Management, Strategic Marketing, Sustainable Business, or General.

Specific specialisations

In this section:

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Specialisations

There are eight named and a general specialisation available in the Master of Business Administration. Students will be able to choose ONE specialisation only to make up the 12 courses. Alternatively, you may choose three courses from any specialisation plus to make up a General specialisation. Students may enrol in a project course/s as part of the General specialisation. This is dependent upon permission from the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts and the availability of a supervisor. Students may also be able to choose courses from across the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app subject to the approval of the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts and may involve pre-requisites.

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Project courses

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
  1, 2 
  1, 2 

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Agribusiness specialisation

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
Semester of offer
Toowoomba campus 
Semester of offer
Springfield campus 
     
     
     
  1, 2, 3 

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Digital Transformation specialisation

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
Semester of offer
Toowoomba campus 
Semester of offer
Springfield campus 
  1, 2 
  2, 3 
 
  1, 2, 3 

Please note: Students planning to study the Digital Transformation specialisation at the Toowoomba campus are strongly encouraged to commence in semester 1. Not all courses will be available at the Toowoomba campus for a semester 2 commencement.

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Finance specialisation

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
Semester of offer
Toowoomba campus 
Semester of offer
Springfield campus 
  1, 3 
   
   
  1, 2, 3 

Please note: Students planning to study the Finance specialisation at the Toowoomba campus are strongly encouraged to commence in semester 1. Not all courses will be available at the Toowoomba campus for a semester 2 commencement.

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General specialisation

To discuss which courses to study within the General specialisation, please . All course pre-requisites must be met, and all courses chosen are subject to the approval of the Program Coordinator.

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
Semester of offer
Toowoomba campus 
Semester of offer
Springfield campus 
Select 3 courses from USQ postgraduate courses, subject to the approval of the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts 
  1, 2, 3 

Please note: Not all courses are available at Toowoomba and Springfield campuses.

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Global Business Management specialisation

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
Semester of offer
Toowoomba campus 
Semester of offer
Springfield campus 
     
     
     
  1, 2, 3 

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Project Management specialisation

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
Semester of offer
Toowoomba campus 
Semester of offer
Springfield campus 
  1, 2, 3 
   
   
   

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Strategic Human Resource Management specialisation

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
Semester of offer
Toowoomba campus 
Semester of offer
Springfield campus 
     
     
     
  1, 2, 3 

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Strategic Marketing specialisation

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
Semester of offer
Toowoomba campus 
Semester of offer
Springfield campus 
     
     
     
  1, 2, 3 

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Sustainable Business specialisation

Course  Semester of offer
Distance/Online 
Semester of offer
Toowoomba campus 
Semester of offer
Springfield campus 
     
     
     
  1, 2, 3 

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IT requirements

For information technology requirements please refer to the .

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Other program requirements

Students must maintain good standing in this program. Please refer to the .

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Articulation

Students who complete the Master of Business Administration are eligible to apply for the Doctor of Business Administration , provided that they meet all of the admission requirements for that program. Please refer to the Doctor of Business Administration for further information, or contact the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts.

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Exit points

A student who chooses not to complete or who does not maintain good standing in this program may be permitted to exit with a lesser qualification as set out below:

  • A student who successfully completes eight Master of Business Administration units may, upon application, exit with a Graduate Diploma of Business. A student who has successfully completed all the requirements of at least one specialisation may have one specialisation shown on their testamur.

  • A student who successfully completes four Master of Business Administration units may, upon application, exit with a Graduate Certificate of Business. A student who has successfully completed all the requirements of a 4-unit specialisation may have that specialisation shown on their testamur.


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Credit

Credit may be granted on the basis of completed equivalent postgraduate study from a recognised university. In order for credit to be granted, the claim must meet the following specific requirements:

  • the course was passed within five years prior to the application (courses up to 10 years old may be considered if evidence is provided that the applicant has been employed in that field)

  • the course passed is sufficiently equivalent in objectives, content and weightings to a course prescribed in the Master of Business Administration, or alternatively, the course is suitable as an elective

  • the maximum credit granted is no greater than six courses for the Master of Business Administration

  • credit approved in this program will not automatically apply to other programs offered by the USQ.


Claims for credit should be submitted prior to or at the time of enrolment in a course. Each claim will be assessed on individual merit in line with USQ policy. Credit approved in this program will not automatically apply to other programs offered by USQ. Please contact the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts for further information.

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

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Agribusiness specialisation recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
§ 1111Formerly CIS5001
†1111
1212
1212
*1212
†1212
2121
*2121
†2121
§ 2121

Footnotes
§This course is not offered at Springfield campus in semester 1.
†This course is offered online only.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.

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Digital Transformation specialisation recommended enrolment pattern (semester 1 intake)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
§ 1111Formerly CIS5001
1111
1212
1212
1212
1212
*2121
* § 2121
2121
§ 2121

Footnotes
§This course is not offered at Springfield campus in semester 1.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.

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Digital Transformation specialisation recommended enrolment pattern (semester 2 intake)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1212
1212
† 1212
1212Formerly CIS5001
*1111
1111
1111
1111
*2222
2222
2222
§2222

Footnotes
†This course is not offered on-campus in semester 2.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.
§This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus in semester 2.

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Finance specialisation recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
§ 1111Formerly CIS5001
1111
1212
1212
*1212
^1212Pre-requisite:
2121
*2121
^2121Pre-requisite: or FIN5000
§ 2121

Footnotes
§This course is not offered at Springfield campus in semester 1.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.
^This course is not offered at Springfield campus.

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General specialisation recommended enrolment pattern (semester 1 intake)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

To discuss which courses to study within the General specialisation, please . All course pre-requisites must be met, and all courses chosen are subject to the approval of the Program Coordinator.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
§ 1111Formerly CIS5001
1111
1212
1212
*1212
General specialisation course‡1212
*2121
General specialisation course‡2121
General specialisation course‡2121
§ 2111

Footnotes
§This course is not offered at Springfield campus in semester 1.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.
‡Not all specialisation courses are offered in on-campus mode.

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General specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - Toowoomba campus and online (semester 2 intake)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

To discuss which courses to study within the General specialisation, please . All course pre-requisites must be met, and all courses chosen are subject to the approval of the Program Coordinator.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1212
1212
† 1212
*1212
1111
1111
*1111
1111Formerly CIS5001
General specialisation course^2222
General specialisation course^2222
General specialisation course^2222
§2222

Footnotes
†This course is not offered on-campus in semester 2.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.
^Not all specialisation courses are offered in on-campus mode.
§This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus in semester 2.

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General specialisation recommended enrolment pattern - Springfield campus (semester 2 intake)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

To discuss which courses to study within the General specialisation, please . All course pre-requisites must be met, and all courses chosen are subject to the approval of the Program Coordinator.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
12
12
12Formerly CIS5001
General specialisation course^12
11
11
11
11
22
22
General specialisation course^22
General specialisation course^22

Footnotes
^Not all specialisation courses are offered at Springfield campus.

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Global Business Management specialisation recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
†1111
1111
1212
1212
*1212
1212Formerly CIS5001
*2121
†2121
†2121
§ 2121

Footnotes
†This course is offered online only.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.
§This course is not offered at Springfield campus in semester 1.

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Project Management specialisation recommended enrolment pattern (semester 1 intake)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
*1111Enrolment is not permitted in if MGT8025 has been previously completed.
*1111
1212
1212
*1212Enrolment is not permitted in if MGT8028 has been previously completed.
1212Formerly CIS5001
2121
* § 2121
*2121Enrolment is not permitted in if MGT8024 has been previously completed.
§ 2121

Footnotes
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.
§This course is not offered at Springfield campus in semester 1.

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Project Management specialisation recommended enrolment pattern (semester 2 intake)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1212
1212
1212Formerly CIS5001
^*1212
1111
1111
*1111Enrolment is not permitted in if MGT8024 has been previously completed.
*1111Enrolment is not permitted in if MGT8025 has been previously completed.
*2222
*2222Enrolment is not permitted in if MGT8028 has been previously completed.
† 2222
§2222

Footnotes
^This course is not offered at Springfield campus in semester 2.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.
†This course is not offered on-campus in semester 2.
§This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus in semester 2.

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Strategic Human Resource Management specialisation recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
§ 1111Formerly CIS5001
1111
1212
1212
*1212
^1212
^1313
*2121
^2121
§ 2121

Footnotes
§This course is not offered at Springfield campus in semester 1.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.
^This course is offered online only.

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Strategic Marketing specialisation recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
§ 1111Formerly CIS5001
1111
1212
1212
*1212
^1212
^2121
*2121
^2121
§ 2121

Footnotes
§This course is not offered at Springfield campus in semester 1.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.
^This course is offered online only.

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Sustainable Business specialisation recommended enrolment pattern

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.


CourseYear of program and semester
in which course is normally studied
Enrolment requirementsComments
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem
1111
1111
^1111
1111
1212
1212
1212Formerly CIS5001
^1212
* § 2121
*2121
^2121
§ 2121

Footnotes
^This course is offered online only.
*This course is not offered at Toowoomba campus.
§This course is not offered at Springfield campus in semester 1.