How to apply for an MBA with VU Online
Embarking on a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an exciting time for ambitious future leaders who want to advance their careers, increase their earning potential and leave a lasting impact on their industry.
While the application process may seem daunting for busy professionals, applying for the Victoria University (VU) Online MBA doesn’t have to be complicated or drawn out for weeks.
Ranjit Dias leads the team of Student Enrolment Advisors at VU Online, which specialises in helping prospective students with their course questions and applications.
We sat down with him to outline what every student should know about applying for the online MBA.
Steps to apply for an MBA with VU Online
Applying for an MBA with VU Online can be broken down into three steps with specific considerations in between, depending on your professional and academic history.
Each of them is detailed below.
1. Talk to an enrolment advisor
“The first step is to speak with an enrolment advisor,” Ranjit explains. “This conversation will help you understand the course structure, areas of specialisation and alignment with your goals. It’s also a chance to address any questions or doubts you may have about whether the degree is right for you.”
Ranjit emphasises the importance of having an initial conversation before taking further steps or submitting an application. Skipping this step can cause problems for your application.
“Sometimes, students proceed without consulting our team, which can delay their application or lead to the realisation that the course isn’t suitable for them, resulting in wasted time or potential setbacks with their career progression,” Ranjit says.
“There’s no downside to calling—it’s free and we can help give you peace of mind that this course is right for you."
2. Prepare your documents
Preparing the right documents is a critical step in completing your MBA application and Student Enrolment Advisors can help ensure that yours are in the best shape possible.
“Student Enrolment Advisors can guide you on the required documents during your call,” Ranjit explains. “If your documents are ready, you can complete your application in as little as 20 minutes.”
Here’s what you need to include.
A relevant CV
“Don’t think about your resume as a resume for a job ad,” advises Ranjit.
"With those resumes, you have to be very brief and to the point. However, this isn’t a job you’re applying for—this is an opportunity for you to demonstrate to the university what you have accomplished.”
To make your CV as strong as possible, include information about your job title, how long you were there and flesh out your responsibilities to show the university exactly what you did in the role. Be detailed here to really showcase your capabilities and achievements to date—less isn’t necessarily more in this case.
If you need help fleshing out the description of your work experience, Ranjit advises looking at similar roles on Seek.com for examples of how to explain the role and responsibilities clearly.
Academic transcripts
Ensure that you have an official copy of your bachelors degree certificate of completion and academic transcripts as part of the supporting documentation for your application.
Academic documents should always be submitted to support any qualification completed. This helps to ensure minimal delays and that your application is assessed promptly.
If you haven’t completed a bachelors degree, it’s best to speak with the university team to explore alternate pathways towards an MBA.
Degrees or qualifications from overseas will also be considered. However, to speed up the application assessment process, if they are not in English, you must get them translated and certified before you submit them.
Some qualifications from English-speaking countries like the USA, the UK or New Zealand are often recognised by Australian universities and may not need to be assessed for accreditation.
If you’re unsure, it’s always best to check with Student Enrolment Advisors like Ranjit to ensure you have all your bases covered.
Any evidence of a name change
If you’ve changed your name for marriage or any other reason, make sure you have the correct and official evidence of the name change to submit with your application.
This is an important step to avoid any additional delays that may come from chasing proof of name change. In turn, the admissions team will be able to come back to you much quicker with an outcome.
3. Submit your application as soon as you can
If you’ve decided to apply for VU Online’s MBA, it’s best to do so as early as you possibly can. Leaving it to the last minute can cause problems for your application.
Ranjit explains: “The closer it gets to the application deadline, the greater the chances you might miss out on that particular intake because the team will be inundated with applications. That means we may not be able to come back to you in time.”
Your application can take as little as 20 minutes if you are adequately prepared.
Frequently asked questions about applying for an MBA
Can I apply for an MBA without a bachelors degree?
While completing a bachelors degree before applying for an MBA is one of the most common pathways to the postgraduate qualification, it’s not the only one.
There are several alternative pathways to studying an MBA that don’t require a bachelors degree. These include gaining extensive industry experience, combining a diploma qualification with industry experience, beginning with a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, or obtaining a bachelors degree in an unrelated field.
If you wish to determine your eligibility for an MBA, speaking with a Student Enrolment Advisor is a great place to start.
What is advanced standing and how do I apply for it?
Advanced standing is the process of receiving credit towards a degree based on postgraduate study or relevant work experience. Not everyone is eligible for advanced standing, but your Student Enrolment Advisor will be able to help you determine whether it’s worth applying for based on your specific circumstances.
To apply for advanced standing for previous study, you’ll need to supply unit guides for the units you’ve completed in previous postgraduate study. Providing this information will determine if the concepts you have previously studied are similar enough and whether you’ve achieved the same learning outcomes as relevant units in the online MBA.
To avoid delays, make sure you don’t simply include the name of the unit you studied but the whole unit guide to help assessors determine its viability for advanced standing.
Do I need to submit a letter of reference?
In some situations, you may want to submit a letter of reference from an employer to help strengthen your application—for example, when you’re applying for a Graduate Certificate in Business from VU Online and you don’t have a relevant degree.
However, Ranjit advises that this isn’t a compulsory step for VU Online applications. If you’re unsure, reach out to the Student Enrolment Advisor team to determine whether it’s worth submitting a letter of reference with your application.
Do I need to certify my transcripts?
Most transcripts written in English from Australian universities will not need to be certified. However, if you have an international qualification or your transcript is not in English, you may need to have it certified.
Applicants who are uncertain should contact the Student Enrolment Advisor team to confirm whether their transcripts need to be certified before submitting them. This will save the time and hassle of having them certified in retrospect and re-submit the application.
Apply for your MBA with confidence
Pursuing an MBA can be an exciting phase of progression—both on a personal and professional level. We know our applicants are busy, which is why we design our application process to be as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
VU Online’s MBA is designed to equip you with the skills needed to thrive in the dynamic business landscape of tomorrow. Delivered 100% online by industry experts, students graduate with the global mindset, innovation readiness and practical prowess that sets them apart.
Ready to apply? Embrace opportunity with flexible online study and unparalleled support with VU Online’s Master of Business Administration. Visit our website or speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor today.
