MS Project Management in Australia: Top Universities, Cost, Courses & Salary

Every year, thousands of international students land in Australia to pursue higher education. Among these, many students join universities where they pursue MS in Project Management programs. The allure of this program is particularly high for students who have a background in project management or want a management degree with a special focus on project management. Overall, many Australian universities have a good reputation for delivering great value via their MS in Project Management programs. Please note that some Australian universities also offer Diploma programs and undergraduate programs in project management. This guide only focuses on MS in Project Management in Australia.

Top Australian universities also offer Master of Project Management programs. Some examples are the Australian National University (ANU), the University of Sydney, and Monash University. We will go into more details for top-ranking Australian universities for this program in later sections of this guide.

The curriculum for Master of Project Management programs at these universities is in line with global standards. Students can expect to learn all about the core areas of project management and also get the option to shape their education in a way that sits well with their career goals, via elective subject choices. Also, many of these programs have specific industry orientations such as construction, healthcare, IT, and engineering.

Cost is an important factor for students coming to Australia for higher education. Students can get a sense of the tuition fees for Master of Project Management courses from this data:

Please note that this is only the annual tuition fee. Most programs are delivered over 2 years, and there are also many other expenses such as accommodation, food, health insurance, etc.

However, students need to look at these programs from an ROI perspective and not only cost. For example, the annual salary for project management professionals ranges from AUD 130,000 to AUD 150,000, so students can break even on their expenses in 2-3 years which is a good thing.

Also Read: Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students 2024

Top universities in Australia for an MS in Project Management

If we consider the top 100 universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings for the Master’s in Business Management program, the following five come up as the top universities in Australia:

There are dozens of other great universities in Australia that offer this program. In no particular order of ranking, here are some of them, including the ones mentioned above, with details of their programs:

Here is a list of all higher education programs endorsed by the Australian Institute of Project Management:

These programs offer a diverse range of options for students looking to specialize in project management, ensuring they can find the right fit for their educational and career goals.

Still, we can see that there are several options for students when it comes to choosing a good Master of Project Management program in Australia. To make the choice easier and more objective, we’ve built an AI-powered tool called SelectRight. It uses advanced AI to match thousands of programs with your academic, personal, and financial profile to give you a shortlist of programs perfectly aligned with your career goals and easily fundable from the perspective of lenders to help you avail the best education loans.

This is how it works:

1. Join SelectRight and complete your profile.
2. Let the algorithm create a shortlist of the best Master of Project Management programs for you.
3. Speak to an expert from Select Right at any stage of your application process.
4. Compare different programs on advanced criteria such as alumni network, recent placements, ease of getting funding, etc.
5. Connect with peers who are going to the same program so that you can start building up your community right now.

In this way, SelectRight makes it easy for you to find the best program that can offer you a great ROI on your education.

Also Read: Is MS in artificial intelligence USA worth it?

Course Curriculum for an MS in Project Management in Australia

Almost all Master of Project Management programs are organized around core subjects, elective subjects, and specializations. Here is an overview of the courses students have to undertake for this program.

Core Courses:

• Managing Project Teams and Stakeholders
• Financial Management of Projects
• Time and Quality Management
• Risk Management and Decision Making
• Strategic Project Management
• Project Procurement Systems

Additional Common Courses:

• Project Management Principles and Practice
• Project Planning and Control
• Project Leadership and Communication
• Research Methods in Project Management
• Project Governance and Ethics

Electives:

Students can usually choose electives based on their interests or career goals. These may include courses in:

• Change Management
• Agile Project Management
• Sustainability in Projects
• Contract Management
• Program and Portfolio Management

Specialized Courses:

Universities often offer specialized courses in areas such as:

• Construction Project Management
• IT/Technology Project Management
• Engineering Project Management
• Healthcare Project Management

Capstone/Research Project:

Apart from the courses, most programs also include a Capstone/Research Project.

Eligibility criteria for international students applying to a Master of Project Management program in Australia

International students who wish to get admission to a Master of Project Management program need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

Academic Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree or international equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 4.0-5.0/7.0

Work Experience:

• While not always mandatory, some programs may require or prefer candidates with relevant work experience.

Standardized Test Scores (for some universities):

• GRE: Minimum 155 (Verbal and Quantitative)
• GMAT: 580+ or GMAT equivalent

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0)
• TOEFL: Minimum score of 79-90
• PTE: Minimum score of 65

Additional Requirements:

• Valid passport
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) – may be optional for some universities
• Letters of Recommendation
• CV/Resume
• Financial statements to demonstrate the ability to fund the program

These criteria ensure that students have the necessary academic background, language proficiency, and other qualifications needed to succeed in a Master of Project Management program in Australia.

Also Read: MS in USA for Indian Students in 2024: Fee, Careers, Salary & Universities

GMAT/GRE requirements for studying an MS in Project Management in Australia

GMAT/GRE scores are not typically required by the majority of Australian universities for Master’s in Project Management programs. Only MBA programs at a few top-ranked universities in Australia require GRE/GMAT scores. Some universities may consider GMAT/GRE scores as optional or additional supporting documents for applications, but they are generally not mandatory.

For universities that do require or consider these scores, the typical minimum requirements are:

• GMAT: 580+
• GRE: Minimum 155 (Verbal and Quantitative)

These requirements ensure that applicants have the analytical and verbal skills necessary for the rigorous demands of the program, although most programs do not enforce this as a strict entry criterion.

Also Read : Top Exam Required to Study in Australia for Masters and Undergraduate

Scholarships to study an MS in Project Management in Australia

As we mentioned in the program overview at the beginning of this guide, the expenses for a Master of Project Management program can run into more than AUD 100,000. Thankfully, students can apply for scholarships to reduce some of the financial burden. These scholarships can either be specific to universities, meaning you are eligible only when you are admitted, or others are general scholarships sponsored by governments, philanthropic organizations, and even corporations. In this section, we will give you an overview of different types of scholarships for Master of Project Management in Australia.

University-specific Scholarships

Also Read: All about Australian government scholarships for Indian students

Government Schemes and Financial Aids

• Australia Awards Scholarship
• Destination Australia Scholarships
• Australia Government Research Training Program (RTP)
• OS-HELP Loan Program
• Endeavour Leadership Program

Note: This is just a sample of available scholarships. It’s essential for students to research and apply to various scholarships that match their eligibility criteria.

Please note that there is significant competition for these scholarships. On top of that, if we consider that university-sponsored scholarships often only partially cover tuition fees, it’s clear that students need to avail education loans to fund their studies. 

Many Indian public and private banks as well as NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies), along with international NBFCs, offer education loans to students. However, it is challenging for students to compare these products because the information is not easily accessible, and it becomes very time-consuming to engage with multiple lenders. As a result, most students end up with an education loan where they pay a higher interest rate than they could have obtained had they explored the entire market.

FundRight solves this problem by reversing the loan search process. Instead of students approaching banks for funding, students can create a profile on FundRight, and lenders will review the student’s profile and come back with their most competitive offers.

Here’s how it works:

1. Create your free profile on FundRight and enter all the necessary details.
2. Wait as the top 15 lenders in India and abroad provide competitive loan offers for you.
3. Compare the loan offers on different criteria and get assistance from dedicated and unbiased financial experts from FundRight to find the best loan and negotiate better terms, with expert guidance.
4. Upload all your required documents securely through the FundRight portal, eliminating the need to submit your documents to multiple lenders.
5. Wait as your loan approval decision is made, sometimes in as little as seven to ten days.

If you are looking for admission to an MS in Project Management for Spring 2025, FundRight can save you significant amounts on your loan. Create your profile today and secure the best financial support for your education.

With the funding aspect covered, let’s talk about where your MS in Project Management degree can take you.

Top recruiters in Australia for graduates of Master of Project Management programs in Australia

Here is a list of top companies that hire graduates with a Master of Project Management:

• Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Telstra
• Westpac Group
• NAB – National Australia Bank
• Woolworths Group
• ANZ
• Optus
• Amazon
• Coles
• Accenture
• DXC Technology
• IBM
• NBN Co
• Deloitte
• Google
• Monash University
• BHP
• Australia Post
• Macquarie Group
• Transport for NSW

Job prospects and salaries after studying an MS in Project Management in Australia

Job prospects for students after completing their MS in Project Management in Australia are good. Here is an overview of entry, mid, and senior-level roles for which top companies hire these graduates.

Entry-Level Roles

• Project Coordinator or Administrator
• Project Scheduler
• Assistant Project Manager

Mid-Level Roles

• Construction Project Manager
• IT Project Manager
• Media and Communications Project Manager
• Scientific Project Manager
• Business Development Project Manager

Advanced Roles

• Senior Project Manager
• Project Director

Industries with the Highest Average Salaries for Project Managers

FAQs about Master’s in Project Management in Australia