Study a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and MBA (Future Business)

Combine a PhD with an MBA

Cutting-edge research meets comprehensive business skills.

Explore your passion for research and prepare for a broad range of careers through comprehensive business and leadership skills. Undertaking this unique PhD and MBA program will prepare you for leadership roles in industry, not-for-profit organisations and government. In your PhD, you will conduct cutting edge research in any of the areas available at Flinders University. In the MBA Future Business program, you will cover topics such as strategy, leadership, finance, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability and industries 4.0 and 5.0. With extensive research and technical skills, industry insight and future-focused topics, you will acquire and develop the skills and connections to hit the ground running in your career wherever it may take you.

Fast facts

Duration:
4 years

Delivery mode:
In person
Online

Availability:
Full-time
Part-time

Start dates:
January - March
May - July
October

Annual indicative fees (2026):
MBA: $44,040 (Alumni pricing after PhD completion).
PhD: Domestic student tuition covered by a RTP Fee Offset.

PhD research areas:
View here

Why undertake the PhD-MBA program at Flinders?

Embark on cutting edge research in your area of interest, gain valuable know-how in management and make a first step into the real world of business.
You’ll be supported and mentored by specialist research supervisors who are experts in their fields as you undertake your PhD research project.
You’ll also receive personalised support in the MBA component. When it comes to student support, Flinders University is number one in South Australia – as well as the number one university for teaching quality and student to teacher ratio.*
Boost your expertise, leadership skills and career prospects and become an expert in your area of specialisation.
Access outstanding research facilities and training opportunities across several campuses. Flinders is currently building a leading edge campus in Festival Square which will be completed in 2023.
Make a difference in the world – your research has the potential to change people’s lives.
Apply your research to the real world with Flinders’ large network of industry and government partners. We’ll connect you with industry experts who will nurture your talent and challenge you to rise higher. Through the MBA program there are also opportunities to get up close with industry in meaningful ways – including specialised entrepreneurship programs, internships, projects and placements.
Our MBA program is shaped and led by esteemed industry leaders who will bring industries 4.0 and 5.0 to life beyond just concepts.
Be prepared for the future of work. Technology is rapidly evolving, and new skills are needed to solve the challenges of our world today and in the future. The MBA has been designed with the future in mind, and to prepare you with the knowledge and experience needed to thrive in tomorrow’s world.

*Good Universities Guide 2022

Your Career

The MBA Future Business prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities in areas including consulting, strategy, government and not-for-profit organisations.

A PhD will position you as an expert in your area of specialisation and is a stepping stone to professional research or as a highly sought-after expert in the private or public sector in Australia or internationally.

Potential occupations include:

Chief Executive Officer
Marketing Director
Business Consultant
Managing Director
Chief Operating Officer
Executive Director
Human Resources Manager
National Director
Product Manager
Chief Robotics Officer Artificial Intelligence Architect
Loyalty Engineer
Program Director
Head of Research
Head of Finance and Funding
Professional Researcher.

Potential employers include:

Multinational corporations
Large private companies
Public sector
Market research consultancies
Corporate agencies
Not-for-profit organisations.

What you will study

This PhD and MBA program is available in all research areas offered at Flinders, from engineering to the life sciences, the physical sciences, the humanities and the social sciences.

The Doctor of Philosophy component involves a time-based research project, where you will undertake supervised research culminating in submission of your thesis.

The Master of Business (MBA) Future Business component contains 12 core topics, and you can choose an industry placement or entrepreneurship program instead of one core topic.

You will enrol in the PhD degree and MBA degree individually and begin both degrees at the same time in one of three yearly intakes:

Intake 1: commences January to March
Intake 2: commences May to July
Intake 3: commences October.

If you are a full-time student, your program of study includes one MBA topic in each calendar of your PhD, selected from the following three topics:

BUSN9147 Leading a Future Workforce
BUSN8007 Ethics, Sustainability & Governance
BUSN8008 Building Teams and Networks.

These topics will not interfere with your PhD milestones and an industry internship. After submitting your PhD, in the fourth year you will complete the remainder of the MBA topics:

BUSN8009 Creating Resilient Supply Chain and Procurement
BUSN9153 Emerging Business Models: Disruptions, Collaboration and Competition
BUSN9152 Legal Signposts for Decision Makers
BUSN9150 Business Analytics
BUSN9149 Researching Markets
BUSN9151 Trends in Business Finance
BUSN8006 Driving Financial Performance
BUSN9146 Economic Environments: Assessing Current and Future Markets
BUSN9148 Marketing in a Digital Age

If you are part-time student, please contact us for more information. Please consult the course rules that apply for the individual degrees, and have a look at the frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Year 1

PhD + one MBA topic

Year 2

PhD + one MBA topic

Year 3

PhD + one MBA topic

Year 4

Nine MBA topics

Your MBA academics

Our research supervisors and academic staff are leaders in their field in both Australia and overseas. Our academic staff draw on their extensive knowledge and networks to help you deliver valuable research outcomes.

Associate Professor Angie Abdel Shafei
MBA Director

Angie Shafei, MD DBA, is an interdisciplinary Associate Professor, Clinical Pathologist, Pracademic, Health Management Consultant and Researcher. Her main interests are innovation and transformation in health.

Learn More

Angie has more than two decades of experience in the medical, education, quality and accreditation sectors in Australia, North Africa and the Gulf. She is an Associate Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management and Co-founder of InnovateInn, a Technology start-up specializing in Medtech and AgriTech.

She is a research commercialization expert with hands-on experience in Health Transformation, who uses her unique interdisciplinary expertise to engage in translational research and has published in peer-reviewed publications in ConsumerX, mHealth, Telehealth and patient-centred service delivery models.

Dr Afshin Tanouri
MBA Deputy Director

Afshin’s main areas of interest include social marketing, digital marketing, gamification, and services marketing. His work mainly focuses on understanding how digital technologies - and specifically, gamification - can be used to bring about positive outcomes for individuals and society.

Learn More

Afshin has developed gamification services in domains such as mental wellbeing promotion and alcohol consumption reduction.

He has also developed several educational game-based programs in areas such as digital marketing, sustainability, and business ethics, and has experience working in different industries such as publishing, automotive and pharmaceuticals in different sales and marketing roles.

PhD research areas

Get in touch with a supervisor of your choice today to discuss your area of interest.

Find a research supervisor

Biological Sciences

Business

Chemical or Physical Sciences

Clinical Psychology

Clinical Translation

Computing, Information Technology or Mathematics

Creative and Performing Arts

Environmental Sciences

Government and International Relations

Health Emergencies and Health Security

Healthy Communities

History and Archaeology

Language, Literature and Culture

Law

Molecular Biosciences

Palliative Care, Death and Dying

Entry requirements

To be eligible for this PhD-MBA program you must meet the requirements below for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) component. Entry to the MBA component is then automatic. In your PhD application, select to enrol in the PhD-MBA program. Tick the box, and you're all set!

Doctor of Philosophy Component:

To be accepted for enrolment in the Doctor of Philosophy component, an applicant must have at least one of the following Australian qualifications (which must include studies relevant to the proposed field of research), or the equivalent qualification as approved by the relevant authorised delegate:

A Bachelors degree with Honours class 1 or 2A;
A Doctor of Medicine with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5;
A Graduate Diploma or Masters degree by coursework with a research component of at least 18 units, with an average GPA of at least 6 in the research component;
A Masters by Research degree.

Applicants must also satisfy the University that they are reasonably likely to be able to complete the requirements of the award within the maximum duration.

Exceptions can be approved in accordance with the Higher Degrees by Research Policy.

How to apply

Review the course rule

Check your eligibility

Find a research supervisor

Find out about scholarships and fees

Prepare your application (and select to enrol in the PhD-MBA program)

Submit your application

Entry requirements

To be eligible for this PhD-MBA program you must meet the requirements below for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) component. Entry to the MBA component is then automatic. In your PhD application, select to enrol in the PhD-MBA program. Tick the box, and you're all set!

Doctor of Philosophy Component:

To be accepted for enrolment in the Doctor of Philosophy component, an applicant must have at least one of the following Australian qualifications (which must include studies relevant to the proposed field of research), or the equivalent qualification as approved by the relevant authorised delegate:

A Bachelors degree with Honours class 1 or 2A;
A Doctor of Medicine with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5;
A Graduate Diploma or Masters degree by coursework with a research component of at least 18 units, with an average GPA of at least 6 in the research component;
A Masters by Research degree.

Applicants must also satisfy the University that they are reasonably likely to be able to complete the requirements of the award within the maximum duration.

Exceptions can be approved in accordance with the Higher Degrees by Research Policy.

All applicants must meet the required English language proficiency requirements for HDR candidature.

How to apply

Review the course rule

Check your eligibility

Find a research supervisor

Find out about scholarships and fees

Prepare your application (and select to enrol in the PhD-MBA program)

Submit your application

Frequently asked questions

What are the entry requirements for the PhD–MBA program?

The entry requirements for the PhD–MBA program are the same as the entry requirements for a PhD at Flinders University. If you meet the eligibility criteria for admission to a PhD, you are also eligible to enrol in the PhD–MBA program.

Where can I find the official PhD eligibility criteria?

Prospective students should refer to the Flinders University website for research degree eligibility and admission requirements. These pages outline the academic and other criteria required for entry into a PhD program.

If I meet the PhD entry requirements, how does the MBA component work?

Once a student satisfies the admission criteria for a PhD, the MBA component is included as part of the PhD–MBA program. There is no separate admission process for the MBA component. During the time you are studying for your PhD, you will take 1 topic each year and then once you submit your PhD, you will have another 1 year to complete the remaining 9 topics of the MBA.

Where can I find detailed information about the PhD–MBA program structure and requirements?

Full details of the PhD–MBA program, including structure and requirements, are available in the Flinders University Handbook entry for the PhD–MBA program.

Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying?

Enquiries commonly ask about contacting a supervisor. Based on previous responses, applicants are advised to review the program handbook and ensure they meet the PhD eligibility criteria. Any supervisor-related requirements are outlined through the standard PhD admission process. It is also suggested that the students talk to their potential PhD supervisor and let them know of their intention for a PhD-MBA during the process of finding a supervisor.

Are there any discipline restrictions for the PhD component?

For domestic students, there are no stated restrictions on the PhD discipline for participation in the PhD–MBA program.

Can I receive credit for prior learning (RPL) for MBA topics completed elsewhere?

Credit for prior learning may be granted where MBA-level topics completed at other institutions are highly similar to Flinders MBA topics in line with flinders credit policy.

Fees and Scholarships

Please refer to the PhD-MBA page for more information about fees and scholarships.

We’re here to help you every step of the way.

If you would like to talk to one of our friendly advisers about applying to university or to discuss your study options and pathways, please contact us.

1300 354 633

Book a tour

Book a chat

Apply for study in 2026

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Combine a PhD with an MBA

Fast facts

Fast facts