QUT’s Executive MBA best in Australia

QUT Graduate School of Business executive director, Bob O’Connor, said having the university's Executive MBA course recognised as number one nationally was a reflection of the course quality.

“With 55 per cent of the survey ranking based on graduate feedback, this is proof that we are delivering what the market wants," he said.

“We attract executive-level participants from governments, private and not-for-profit sectors, and the survey feedback tells us, that this diverse group dynamic is a key strength of the program."

With specialisations in international leadership, complex program leadership and strategic procurement, the QUT Executive MBA is designed to enrich leadership and explore a systems approach to decision making.

The Australian Financial Review BOSS Magazine’s MBA rankings cover two areas. One survey covers entry requirements; the education level of enrolling students; the academic qualifications, business experience and research output of teaching staff; accreditations held by the school; and class sizes.

The second survey (for graduates) includes detailed questions about their satisfaction with their course and the level of improvement they believed it had made to their business skills. It also asked them whether they felt their MBA was value for money.

While Suncorp Customer Platforms manager Vass Cayas is just a few months shy of completing his QUT Executive MBA, he said the practical learnings he has been able to implement in his workplace have been invaluable.

“The three areas of key benefit to me have been leadership development, strategic elements scenario planning which has been of a big focus, particularly in the financial sector and stakeholder management/communication,” he said.

“An international study tour to China was eye-opening in relation to the size of the country and the rapid take-up of technology while being able to share ideas with like-minded leaders has led to lifelong friendships.”  

Mr O’Connor said QUT’s transdisciplinary approach to problem solving enabled it to draw on experts from across the university, from communication and law experts to big data and business process leaders to creative thinking specialists.

“Our Executive MBA program helps participants look at problems and issues holistically so they can make the best decision possible," he said.

For the managing director and founder of nonprofit consulting firm Full & Frank and licensee at TEDxBrisbane, Juanita Wheeler, undertaking QUT's EMBA was life changing.

"The program made me realise there was no one way to have a successful career and that success could be measured in many different ways and the connections I made have been invaluable," Ms Wheeler said.

"Because the program is run over a constricted timeframe, you develop great bonds with your cohort that last well beyond the course.

"The connections you make are outstanding, not only wonderful personally but your cohort is made up of extremely high-calibre professionals from across a range of industry sectors who continue to support each other well beyond the course."

Mr O’Connor said QUT’s transdisciplinary approach to problem solving enabled it to draw on experts from across the university, from communication and law experts to big data and business process leaders to creative thinking specialists.

“We also incorporate a high-impact workplace project which is specific to each participant and designed to deliver a significant business benefit back into thier workplace," he said.

The QUT Executive MBA is run from both Brisbane and Canberra and the Graduate School of Business also delivers other courses from post graduate study through to coaching and custom programs for clients.


Media contact: Rose Trapnell, QUT Media team leader, 07 3138 2361 or 0407 585 901, rose.trapnell@qut.edu.au or media@qut.edu.au.