Emily McPherson Executive MBA Scholarship

For students commencing the Executive Master of Business Administration; worth 50% tuition fees paid.

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Applications now closed

This scholarship is for the standard duration of full-time* or part-time** studies in the Executive MBA (EMBA) program commencing in semester 1, 2024.

In semester 1, 2024, there will be up to six (6) scholarships available:

  • Up to six (6) scholarships with 50% of tuition fees paid***

It is expected that a minimum of one of these scholarships will be allocated to a student who identifies as a woman currently working in a leadership role. Men are eligible to apply. 

Successful recipients must maintain a GPA of no less than 2.0 for the duration of their scholarship.

*Full-time is up to 1.5 years.   

**Part-time is up to three (3) years.

***Scholarship recipients who are RMIT staff require their own School, College or Portfolio to support them with 25% of the total tuition fees waived for the duration of the scholarship.

To be eligible for this scholarship you must:

  • be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident, permanent humanitarian or temporary protection visa holder, or hold a bridging visa linked to a permanent residency application
  • satisfy the entry criteria for the RMIT Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) (MC162) program and have already applied for the program by the time you submit the scholarship application
  • commence your MC162 program (face-to-face) in semester 1 2024
  • have completed your undergraduate degree with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 (or 65/100) or greater (out of a maximum of 4.0) based on RMIT University’s GPA calculation methods.
  • be a full fee paying student**

**Students with a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) are ineligible to be considered.

All those who meet the above criteria are encouraged to apply for a scholarship. Applicants applying under one or more of the following criteria are particularly welcome, and there is some flexibility on their GPA:

  • identify as a woman and currently working in a leadership role
  • identify as a refugee or immigrant with managerial experience or currently working in a leadership role
  • identify as an Indigenous Australian (registered with the Ngarara Willim Centre)
  • be working as an executive-level manager in a large or medium organisation or in a start-up
  • be working in the health and wellbeing sector in one of the following areas:
    • products and services
    • innovation and technology
    • management and strategy
    • policy
  • be working in Environmental Social Governance (ESG) driven entrepreneurship and business

If you are a RMIT staff member and want to be considered for 50% of your tuition fees paid/waived, you must have support from your School, College or Portfolio for half of the payment/waiver. If you do not have this support, you cannot be considered for this scholarship.

The online application form will be made available here when applications open.

Supporting documentation

Depending on your circumstances, you will need to provide different types of evidence and material to support your scholarship application. Applications without supporting documents will not be considered.

Please provide the following documentation: 

  • a curriculum vitae (no more than two pages in length), which includes contact details of two professional referees (e.g., title, position, and email/phone number) such as your previous or current supervisors, employers, human resource departments, or professional peers. We may contact your referees to verify work experience as needed. Please note that as part of the application for EMBA admission, two recommendation letters are also required.
  • a full copy of your tertiary education transcript(s) detailing your grade point average
  • a written statement of no more than 2,500 characters addressing how studying an EMBA will assist you with your leadership and career aspirations
  • RMIT staff require a letter from an appropriate person with financial delegation in your School, College or Portfolio with approval to support you with 25% of your tuition fees waived for the EMBA for the duration of the scholarship. (Note: the scholarship is a 50% tuition waiver and half of this must come from your School/College/Portfolio).

Find out more about applying for scholarships.

Applications are now closed.

Applications are now closed.

View the Coursework Scholarships Office’s terms and conditions (PDF,698KB).

As the holder of this scholarship you must:

  • enrol in the EMBA face-to-face (Melbourne City Campus) program at RMIT University, not study online
  • commence your study in semester 1 2024 (this scholarship cannot be deferred beyond commencement in semester 1 2024)
  • maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 throughout your enrolment (except in extenuating circumstances)
  • enrol either full-time or part-time, and not enrol in another program concurrently
  • help promote the EMBA program at RMIT if asked including the attendance of Executive MBA functions and events.
  • if you are a RMIT staff member; have continued 25% tuition fee waiver support from your School, College or Portfolio for the duration of your scholarship. If this support is withdrawn prior to the end of your scholarship, your scholarship will be cancelled.

The selection of candidates will be assessed on:

  • academic excellence
  • leadership outcomes from the EMBA.

If, after shortlisting applicants, an insufficient number of high calibre candidates are identified, the Graduate School of Business and Law reserves the right to not award all/some scholarships.

Quotes from current recipients:

"RMIT's Executive MBA is extremely applicable in my professional work because it is so practice-oriented. The practicality of the studies, the mixed learning modes, the course materials and the real-world examples and case studies of effective leaders has meant that I am able to apply my learnings in my professional work."

"Some of the most useful, interesting learnings I gain in my EMBA come from working with, and observing and participating with my colleagues in action. It is wonderful to be exposed to collaboration opportunities with a wide range of experienced professionals from diverse personal and professional backgrounds. I find there is a high level of enthusiasm and commitment amongst colleagues, which makes it a delight to work and learn together in this energised environment."

"The scholarship has allowed me to focus more entirely on my studies without the concern of the cost of it. It means I can stay true to my values in the non-profit health sector without a financial burden. It has been absolutely critical in being able to maintain studies and positive living arrangements, especially in COVID lockdown. I have not had to worry about my finances through all of this time, or increase debt. I'm not sure there is anything, short of lottery, that could have facilitated my studies as much as this scholarship has. I am so proud to be a recipient and I'm so proud of my results so far."

Find out how to contact the Coursework Scholarships Office.

Notice to applicants

The scholarship application process is highly competitive with a limited number of scholarships available. Unfortunately, not all eligible applicants will receive one.

Only successful candidates will be notified via email to their RMIT student account.

For information about other financial assistance available to RMIT students, please speak to one of our Student Welfare Advisors.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.