Tailored business education with strong arts sector links
Learn from arts industry experts
#1 Melbourne university for business course satisfaction
Why choose Deakin
Prepare for leadership in the arts and creative industries with a degree designed to increase your impact. Blend deep arts industry connections and advanced management education in Australia’s only business school-based arts management program. You will gain distinct advantages for a sector facing acute skills shortages in management and leadership.
Build expertise in cultural leadership, strategy, marketing, finance and project management, applying your learning through industry-linked projects and collaborations with arts organisations. Specialisations include event management, marketing management and leadership. Led by academics with extensive arts sector backgrounds and research relationships, course assessments, projects and content reflect the unique challenges of the field.
Connect with like-minded professionals and, whether you’re building on prior study or professional experience, develop your readiness for leadership roles in arts and creative organisations.
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Globally recognised business degree
Study at a top 3 business school in Melbourne, Australia known for strong graduate outcomes.
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Advanced industry-relevant program
Build expertise in arts and cultural management through a program aligned with global industry practice.
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Industry-focused study
Explore how arts organisations operate, including sponsorship, fundraising and audience engagement.
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Balance work and study
Complete your degree online, with the option to study part time. Balance work with advancing your career in cultural management.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Prepare for leadership and senior management opportunities across arts and cultural organisations. Apply business and sector expertise in areas such as events, policy, fundraising, audience development and marketing.
General manager
Guide an organisation’s strategic direction, governance and operations. In an arts or cultural setting, you may lead teams, oversee resources and support programs that connect organisations with communities.
- $89k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 9.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Development manager
Plan, coordinate and deliver festivals, performances and cultural events. Manage budgets, schedules, venues, suppliers and stakeholders to create engaging experiences for audiences and communities.
- $90k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 5.4%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 3.5/5
Job satisfaction
Professional areas
- Audience development
- Festival programming
- Cultural policy development
- Fundraising and development
- Production and tour management
- Relationship management
FAQs
The cost of studying at Deakin depends on your degree, units and study load – tuition fees are listed on degree pages under the fees and scholarships tab. Beyond tuition, you will need to budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), accommodation, transport, groceries and textbooks. Find out more about the cost of living in Australia, use the Study Australia calculator to estimate living expenses and explore international scholarships which may help to reduce your tuition costs.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your postgraduate tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
It depends on the degree and how you study. Graduate certificates typically take six months full time or one year part time. Graduate diplomas usually take one year full time and masters degrees typically take one to two years full time. Recognition of prior learning can reduce your study time. Check the degree page for full details.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
We value your experience and qualifications. That is why every new degree application at Deakin is assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Through RPL, Deakin can assess your previous study and life experience and may award course credit that could reduce your study duration, as well as the cost of your study. Qualifications from universities and private tertiary institutions worldwide are considered, as is informal learning related to your degree. Use the RPL calculator to see how much credit you may be eligible for.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in a postgraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores, so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin’s postgraduate degrees are designed to advance your career, whether you want to deepen expertise in your field, move into a specialist role or shift direction entirely. All our degrees are shaped by industry partners, so what you learn reflects what employers need now and into the future. We’re proud to be the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. With flexible study options and financial support available, Deakin helps you gain the skills, recognition and confidence to reach your next professional goal.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Business (Arts and Cultural Management)?
This course blends business fundamentals with arts and cultural sector expertise, preparing you to lead creative organisations and initiatives.
Build business and creative foundations
Learn core business principles in creative contexts
Build knowledge in areas like marketing, governance and organisational management aligned to creative industries.
Examine the creative industries
Explore how arts organisations operate, including funding, programming and audience engagement.
Develop management capabilities
Strengthen leadership and people management skills tailored to cultural and community settings.
Expert practice and leadership
Deepen strategic and industry insight
Explore advanced areas such as events, fundraising, sponsorship and sector strategy.
Tailor your learning
Choose electives or specialisations to expand your expertise across business or creative disciplines.
Apply learning in real contexts
Engage in industry projects, consultancy or internships to build professional capability.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Business (Arts and Cultural Management), you must pass 8 or 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 credit point microcredentials) to earn up to 1 credit point of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. For more information, visit the Deakin stackable short course options.
The remaining 4 credit points may be selected from:
Recommended electives^
a postgraduate business specialisation* or any business units not previously studied
postgraduate units offered by the University (subject to eligibility)
Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials)
^Recommended electives
MWL Units:
*Recommended specialisations:
# MPT code denotes study tour version of the unit
Professional recognition
Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring graduates are employable worldwide.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more elective work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Please note that this course is not offered in Trimester 3.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin online courses.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Assess a broad range of specialised management approaches and their application to arts organisations, while contributing to new discipline knowledge and extending current arts management practice |
| Determine appropriate communication strategies and techniques in the practice of arts management |
| Apply the use of digital technologies in relation to arts the practice of arts management |
| Appraise and synthesise information in order to understand and apply theories of arts management and extend current practice |
| Determine solutions to a diverse range of current and emerging arts management challenges and issues |
| Personalise reflections on arts management practice and plan professional careers |
| Participate and collaborate with arts management practitioners |
| Incorporate arts management theory and practice from a range of cultural and international contexts and address the requirements of ethical practice |
- Award granted
- Master of Business (Arts and Cultural Management)
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- M785
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$31,800
for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) into the Master of Business (Arts and Cultural Management) may be granted to students who have successfully completed equivalent postgraduate qualifications. RPL cannot be granted for MBA-coded units based on work experience alone. It may be considered in addition to the postgraduate qualifications. Students must complete at least four credit points of the core units at Deakin.