Fun fact: the Master of Business Administration (MBA) dates back to the early 20th century! The world’s first MBA degree — offered by Harvard University in 19081 — approached the concept of management from a scientific point of view; the degree identified a uniform set of skills to standardise the training for business administrators in any industry or field.
Since its introduction, the MBA programs in Singapore have evolved into a diverse and comprehensive program for professionals in all areas of business and commerce. Today, the degree is meant to broaden students’ conceptual skills in critical thinking, leadership, communication, and problem-solving, while also allowing them to pursue strong management skills to lead corporations or to forge their own path with the advantage of an MBA majoring in entrepreneurship.
Why should you study for a Master's of Business Administration?
To put it simply, the MBA sharpens the skills of aspiring managers and business professionals that will typically take many years or decades of experience to learn.
If you aspire to lead an organisation in a management or high-executive role, or even at the "C"-level (think roles such as CEO, COO, and CFO), an MBA will accelerate your pathway and help you prove your worth!
Here are a few key breakthroughs that an MBA can offer you:
- Develop advanced and flexible management skills
MBA courses will help you develop the skills necessary to drive a company's success. The curriculum of each Master of Business Administration degree can be different, but these are some of the most common skills you’ll develop depending on the study programme you choose:
- Enhanced leadership and people management skills
- Learning to develop, advertise and sell your products and services
- Networking and creating connections or partnerships
- Managing difficult situations (e.g. financial crisis)
- Keeping the company's finances growing and healthy
- Gathering, interpreting, and creating reports based on industry data
- Creating hierarchies that help the company thrive
- Making tough calls at the right time
Studying an MBA degree enables you to step out of your comfort zone. You'll explore the latest international business trends, apply the newest management tools and techniques, and challenge yourself to improve your business, teams, and collaboration.
- Specialise to fit your exact career goals
Because of their international popularity, many universities and business schools have developed a diverse range of MBA programs, specialising in different aspects of the business world. For example, James Cook University has the following MBA specialisations:
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Business Administration (Majoring in Analytics and Business Solutions)
- Master of Business Administration (Majoring in Creative Marketing)
- Master of Business Administration (Majoring in Entrepreneurship)
- Master of Business Administration (Majoring in Finance)
- Master of Business Administration (Majoring in Global Talent Management)
- Master of Business Administration (Majoring in MICE, Tourism and Hospitality
- MBAs are great for a career change or to pursue a business opportunity
Apart from advancing to a managerial or executive position, MBAs give you an opportunity to either change the industry you're working in or kickstart an entrepreneurial opportunity. In fact, approximately 1 in 3 prospective MBA students use their management education to pursue opportunities in new industries or job functions they have not worked in before.
It’s a good idea to decide on the industry and job you plan to pursue before applying for the MBA. This way, it will be easier to pick the best MBA for your needs and have clear future goals. That said, the versatility and diversity of the various specialisations are great tools for those preparing for a career switch.
What are the usual admission requirements for an MBA?
In general, the entry requirements for a Master's of Business Administration program requires a pre-requisite completion of a Bachelor's degree that is relevant to accounting, finance, marketing or business management field.
However, some universities also allow the enrolment of those that have completed a Bachelor's degree in any discipline with the addition of business experience in a managerial role. Apart from that, there are certain levels of English language requirements (such as an IELTS band of 6.5 in general).
For example, visit this page to see the entry requirements for a Master's Degree in Business Administration at James Cook University.
Gain a head start or accelerate your career momentum with a Master's in Business Administration degree at James Cook University.
At James Cook University, you'll receive a globally-recognised MBA program right in the heart of Singapore with state-of-the-art facilities and the latest in advanced technology, allowing you to pursue studies that create a meaningful impact in your field.
Deepen your industry knowledge and attain a globally-recognised Australian Master's degree to expand your employability opportunities, advance your career, or pursue entrepreneurship. But don’t just take our word for it — hear from our academics.
Take charge of your future and the countless opportunities that await you! Enquire with us today!
Source:
1https://www.mba.today/guide/mba-history#:~:text=1908%20%2D%20Harvard%20Graduate%20School%20of,eight%20students%20received%20the%20degree.