Overview

The Master of Social Impact (MA-SI) is designed for high-performing professionals who want to upskill and advance their career in the field of social impact. This course is suited to social entrepreneurs working broadly across philanthropy, not-for-profit, private, and corporate sectors. This qualification gives you the skills required to lead people effectively in a rapidly changing social economic and business environment.  

Note: This course will not be taking applications for 2024.

You might be interested in our Master of Business Administration, in which you can specialise in Social Impact. Applications are now open.

Upgrade your skills

  • Entrepreneurial thinking and ability to innovate
  • Knowledge of ethics of social impact
  • Organisation skills
  • Communication skills

Stretch your career further

Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in a today’s complex and changing business environment. The below examples demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.

  • Creating next generation of social impact leaders
  • Creating next generation of social entrepreneurs
  • Enabling career transformations
  • Philanthropy Manager

Key codes

CRICOS course code
095609C
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Strong industry connections and co-creation

Our post graduate program connects students to organisations where they can undertake industry placements to gain practical, hands-on experience.

This course is taught through the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne, so you’ll benefit from interactive learning and access to world-class researchers and academics.

Professional accreditations

Why Swinburne?

Top 5% of the world’s higher education business schools

91.1% of graduates found employment within 4 months of finishing.

The median income for PG graduates one year out is $79.5K

Business graduate employers include Telstra, NAB, ANZ and IBM

  • Academic study and research with Swinburne provides me with access to invaluable frameworks, tools and networks to stay abreast of what’s happening around the globe. The Centre for Social Impact gave me additional confidence and skills to extend my work through academic rigour.

    Christian , Master of Social Impact

Fast track your course*

A fast-track course gives you the same qualifications as a ‘regular course’, but is completed in a shorter amount of time. Designed for those who already have business or industry experience, you’ll participate in workshops, with assessments based on the workplace.

*Example fast-tracked durations:

Proven relevant working experience and cognate learning
=
1
year
Proven relevant cognate learning
=
1.5
years

Qualifications

  • a recognised bachelor degree in any discipline PLUS a minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* or
  • a successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Social Impact ** or
  • completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program PLUS a minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience * (International applicants only)
  • a recognised bachelor degree in any discipline PLUS a minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* or
  • a successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Social Impact ** or
  • completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program PLUS a minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience * (International applicants only)

Work experience

Relevant professional/managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to faculty-determined guiding principles. Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.

Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration and evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the award of Master of Social Impact, students must complete 150 credit points comprising of:

  • [8] core units (100 credit points)
  • [4] elective units (50 credit points).

Your units

Graduate Certificate

Completing 4 core units entitles you to a graduate certificate.

4
Core units
=
Graduate certificate
Units of study Unit code

Graduate Diploma

Completing an additional 2 core units and 2 elective or specialisation units entitles you to the graduate diploma.

4
Core units
+
2
Core units
+
2
Specialisation or elective units
=
Graduate diploma
Units of study Unit code

Masters degree

Completing 4 foundation units, 4 core units and 2 specialisation or elective units entitles you to the masters.

6
Core units
+
2
Specialisation or elective units
+
2
Core units
+
2
Specialisation or elective units
+
4
Foundation units
=
Masters degree
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Opportunity Discovery, Creativity and Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ENT60009
Corporate Responsibility and Accountability
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP60001
Leadership for Social Impact
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP60002
Social Impact: Entrepreneurs and Social Innovation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP60003
Social Investment and Philanthropy
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP60004
Evaluation and Impact Measurement
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP70014
Strategic Philanthropy
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP80015
Social Venture Development
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP80017
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

Your specialisation

Add your specialisation

Add your specialisation for a more personalised experience.

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$37,400

Total fee* ($AUD)

$56,100

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$44,340.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2024 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
MA-SI
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Course code
MA-SI
Apply directly
Course code
MA-SI
CRICOS code
095609C
Apply directly
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Winter term
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
12-June-2024
Start dates
17-June-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Winter term
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
17-June-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Upcoming events
5th Australasian Youth Justice Conference 2024. Strengthening Connections: The Power of Relationships and Strong Service Partnerships
16-April-2024