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    The AFR BOSS Best Business Schools list ranks universities on overall excellence in the field of postgraduate business and management.

    List 2023

    Notes:

    1. Ranking is based on relevant postgraduate study areas regardless of departmental structures, eg University of Melbourne includes Melbourne Business School, UNSW includes Australian Graduate School of Management, etc.
    2. Student numbers and % domestic based on DESE Completions for postgraduate Management and Commerce coursework for the most recent year available. Excludes Universities with < 40 Domestic Completions.

    Latest

    UNSW leaps to top in rank for excellence

    A mix of sandstone and non-sandstone universities make up this year’s finalists in the quality category.

    • Alexandra Cain
    Joe Bryant used his MBA from the University of Queensland as a launching pad for his aerospace business, Aeromech.

    How this CEO used an MBA to join the space race

    MBA’s can be a useful tool for corporate leaders looking to transition into becoming a business founder and owner.

    • Alexandra Cain
    Moya Dodd.

    The Matilda who waltzed into an MBA

    Former Matildas star Moya Dodd is one of many prominent Australians who have undertaken an MBA to help move into new roles or prepare for more senior positions.

    • Christopher Niesche
    Professor Nick Wailes is Dean of the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW.

    This uni says social impact is key for reputation

    Business schools believe putting an increased emphasis on contributing to society will boost their reputation ranking.

    • Christopher Niesche
    AFR education editor Julie Hare.

    Why one university stands out

    University of South Australia leads the ‘upstarts’ on the move.

    • Julie Hare
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    September 2023

    UNSW, led by Professor Chris Styles, is named AFR BOSS Best Business School for the second consecutive year.

    This is the top business school for second year in row

    University of New South Wales wins close fight with University of Melbourne that widens the gap over the rest of the field.

    • Sally Patten

    This uni tops ladder for career outcomes

    Canberra University business school ranks highest in the career category by staying abreast of changing needs.

    • Sian Powell

    Ian Harper passes the MBS baton to former dean

    After more than 30 years of being connected with Melbourne Business School including the last five years as dean, Ian Harper is passing on the baton to former dean and CEO Jenny George.

    • Patrick Durkin
    Synapsing founder David Joyce says his MBA gave him a new toolkit to identify and solve problems for businesses.

    ‘The art of saying no:’ What this coach learned from his MBA

    David Joyce didn’t have a specific end goal in mind when he signed up for an MBA. But he knew he wanted to challenge his thinking. 

    • Euan Black

    Small schools hold their own in rankings

    Edith Cowan and Bond universities match it with the big business schools for excellence.

    • Sian Powell
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    September 2022

    The AFR BOSS ranking of the best business schools recognises that increasingly institutions will be measured on the experience they provide to students.

    The AFR BOSS ranking of best business schools explained

    There are separate indices for reputation, quality and career impact and an overall ranking. The three categories are drawn from publicly available information.

    • Professor Tim Brown and Emeritus Professor Stephen Parker
     A scaffolded approach helps students at the UNSW business school to explore and achieve.

    UNSW the top-ranked business school for career prospects

    Personalised programs help propel UNSW to the top of the career impact category in the inaugural AFR BOSS Best Business Schools list.

    • Therese Raft
    Chris Styles says he is particularly proud of UNSW Business School’s success given the challenge of providing “quality at scale.”

    AFR BOSS Best Business School revealed

    Victorian-based universities claim two of the top five places in the inaugural ranking of Australia’s 37 business schools.

    • Sally Patten
    Edith Cowan students

    Edith Cowan the top-ranked business school for quality

    Perth-based university is No. 1 ranked for quality in the inaugural AFR BOSS Best Business Schools list.

    • Julie Hare
    Rachael Haynes

    Flexible approach an advantage for regional universities

    Regional universities specialise in meeting industry needs and offering courses that combine flexibility with responsiveness to global trends.

    • Mark Eggleton
    Bond university students Grace Knight and Emily Krogsboel enjoy the great outdoors.

    Surf, sun and study just the ticket for international students

    University rankings aside, Australian beaches and lifestyle are  strong drawcards for international students.

    • Nina Hendy
    Bond University

    Private universities make a mark with industry links

    Vastly outnumbered by public universities, Australia’s private universities have forged strong links with their students and key industry groups.

    • Mark Eggleton

    How online short courses are developing the next crop of executives

    The nation’s universities are brimming with short courses aimed squarely at the executive sector.

    • Nina Hendy
    The pandemic created the need for health management skills as mass vaccination hubs opened and social distancing and mask-wearing changed people’s behaviours.

    What’s hot in postgraduate business courses

    Business schools are responding to the changes in the job market induced by the pandemic, hybrid work arrangements and the rapid onset of the digital economy.

    • Sian Powell
    Carla Dias Wadewitz, the director of Flinders University’s new MBA, sees students with management experience and those without it learning from each other.

    Experience no bar as students rush to join upskilling frenzy

    Management work experience is not a prerequisite for learning and many cohorts consist of a mix of upwardly mobile mid-career managers and fresh graduates.

    • Therese Raft
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    Melbourne Business School is No.1 in Reputation in the AFR BOSS ranking of Best Business Schools 2022.

    Melbourne University the top-ranked business school for reputation

    The list of the best business schools by reputation was dominated by the Go8 universities.

    • Sian Powell
    Holly Richards founded Amplefolk after testing her business idea with her business school colleagues.

    These executives did an MBA and started their own companies

    Business schools are incubators of the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Three MBA students reveal how they were inspired to turn ideas into businesses.

    • Sian Powell

    How to choose the best business school for you

    With so many business schools, making a decision as to where to study can be surprisingly difficult. A recent survey asked students what was important to them.

    • Julie Hare