Explore leadership courses at Griffith University in Australia. Find undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive programmes for career advancement.
Written by Laura Bouttell • Wed 5th May 2027
A leadership course at Griffith University provides Australian and international students access to research-informed leadership development through one of Australia's largest universities, offering programmes ranging from undergraduate units to postgraduate qualifications and professional development. Griffith's multi-campus presence across South East Queensland and commitment to practical, industry-connected education makes it a significant provider of leadership development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Griffith University, established in 1971 and named after Sir Samuel Griffith—Queensland's first Chief Justice and principal author of the Australian Constitution—has grown to serve over 50,000 students across five campuses. The university's Business School, ranked among Australia's best, anchors leadership education alongside programmes in public sector leadership, healthcare leadership, and educational leadership.
This guide examines leadership courses available at Griffith University, helping prospective students and professionals identify programmes that match their development needs and career aspirations.
Context for leadership development.
Griffith University is an Australian public research university with five campuses across South East Queensland, serving over 50,000 students and offering comprehensive programmes including significant leadership development through its Business School and professional faculties. The university consistently ranks among Australia's top universities and features in global rankings.
Griffith University overview:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1971 |
| Named for | Sir Samuel Griffith |
| Campuses | Gold Coast, Nathan, Mt Gravatt, Logan, South Bank |
| Students | 50,000+ |
| Global ranking | Top 2% worldwide |
| Business School | AACSB accredited |
| Location | South East Queensland, Australia |
Griffith's location in one of Australia's fastest-growing regions provides strong industry connections. The university emphasises practical, career-focused education whilst maintaining research excellence.
"Griffith University's commitment to making a difference through research and teaching extends to developing leaders who can address complex challenges in business, government, and society."
Study leadership at Griffith because of AACSB-accredited business programmes, strong industry connections in South East Queensland, research-informed teaching, diverse delivery options including online, and relatively accessible tuition compared to some Australian competitors. The combination of quality and accessibility creates value.
Griffith advantages for leadership study:
Accreditation and quality
Industry connections
Flexibility
Diversity
Practical focus
Griffith's practical orientation suits students seeking leadership development that translates directly to workplace application.
Building foundation capabilities.
Griffith offers undergraduate leadership development through business degrees with leadership electives, dedicated leadership units within various programmes, and cross-disciplinary courses addressing leadership fundamentals. Leadership learning integrates into broader degree structures rather than standalone undergraduate programmes.
Undergraduate pathways:
| Pathway | Description | Leadership Content |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Business | Core business degree | Leadership electives, team projects |
| Bachelor of Commerce | Professional focus | Management and leadership units |
| Bachelor of Government | Public sector focus | Public sector leadership |
| Electives across programmes | Available broadly | Leadership fundamentals |
The Bachelor of Business allows specialisation in management, incorporating leadership content throughout. Elective structures enable students to customise their leadership learning within degree requirements.
Undergraduates can develop leadership at Griffith through coursework, co-curricular programmes, student leadership opportunities, work-integrated learning, and involvement in clubs and societies. Development extends beyond classroom to encompass broader university experience.
Undergraduate leadership development:
Academic pathways
Co-curricular programmes
Student engagement
Work-integrated learning
Global opportunities
The Griffith Award recognises and develops student leadership through structured co-curricular engagement. Completing the award demonstrates leadership commitment to future employers.
Advanced leadership development.
Griffith offers postgraduate leadership programmes including the Master of Business Administration (MBA), specialist master's degrees with leadership focus, graduate certificates, and research degrees addressing leadership topics. Postgraduate programmes provide deeper leadership development for established professionals.
Postgraduate programme comparison:
| Programme | Duration | Delivery | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | 1.5-2 years | On-campus, online | Experienced professionals |
| Master of Management | 1.5 years | On-campus, online | Early-career managers |
| Graduate Certificate | 6 months | Various | Focused development |
| Master of Human Services | Various | Various | Sector-specific leadership |
| Research degrees | 2-4 years | Research-based | Academic/research careers |
Each programme serves different career stages and development objectives. Consider career goals, time availability, and learning preferences when selecting.
Griffith's MBA covers leadership through core management units, elective specialisations, capstone projects, and emphasis on practical application—developing leaders who can navigate complex business environments. The programme combines broad business knowledge with leadership capability.
MBA leadership content:
Core units
Specialisation options
Experiential elements
Skill development
Networking
Griffith's MBA offers online delivery enabling working professionals to develop leadership capability without career interruption.
Short-form development options.
Griffith offers professional development through short courses, executive education programmes, corporate training partnerships, and single unit enrolment—enabling targeted skill development without full degree commitment. These options suit professionals seeking focused development.
Professional development options:
| Option | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Short courses | Days to weeks | Specific skill focus |
| Single units | One trimester | University credit |
| Executive education | Variable | Senior leader focus |
| Corporate programmes | Customised | Organisation-specific |
Short courses through Griffith Professional Learning address specific topics like project leadership, team management, and communication skills. These provide practical development without academic commitment.
Griffith supports corporate leadership development through customised programmes designed with organisations, on-site delivery options, blended learning approaches, and ongoing partnership relationships. Corporate partnerships enable tailored development addressing specific organisational needs.
Corporate partnership features:
Customisation
Delivery flexibility
Faculty expertise
Ongoing relationship
Organisations seeking to develop leadership capability at scale can partner with Griffith to create programmes reflecting organisational culture and strategic priorities.
Beyond business leadership.
Griffith offers sector-specific leadership programmes in healthcare, education, public sector, and human services—recognising that leadership requirements vary by context and developing professionals for specific sector challenges. These programmes address distinctive leadership needs beyond general business contexts.
Sector-specific programmes:
| Sector | Programme Examples | Leadership Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Health Management programmes | Clinical leadership, system navigation |
| Education | Educational Leadership | School leadership, educational change |
| Public sector | Government and Public Policy | Policy leadership, public value |
| Human services | Human Services Management | Community leadership, service delivery |
Healthcare leadership at Griffith addresses the distinctive challenges of leading in clinical environments—managing professionals, navigating complex systems, and balancing care quality with resource constraints.
Educational leadership at Griffith differs by focusing specifically on school and educational institution contexts—addressing curriculum leadership, teacher development, educational change, and the distinctive stakeholder relationships in educational settings. The programmes prepare educational leaders rather than general managers.
Educational leadership content:
Instructional leadership
Organisational leadership
Community engagement
System navigation
Change leadership
Educators seeking leadership roles benefit from programmes addressing their specific context rather than generic business leadership content.
Academic foundations.
Leadership research at Griffith occurs across the Business School, Griffith Institute for Educational Research, and other faculties—addressing topics including ethical leadership, public sector leadership, educational leadership, and leadership development effectiveness. Research informs teaching and contributes to broader leadership knowledge.
Research focus areas:
| Area | Description | Key Themes |
|---|---|---|
| Business leadership | Corporate and organisational leadership | Strategy, ethics, effectiveness |
| Educational leadership | School and educational institution leadership | Instructional leadership, change |
| Public sector | Government and public administration | Public value, governance |
| Healthcare | Clinical and health system leadership | Quality, safety, innovation |
Griffith researchers contribute to international leadership literature whilst maintaining practical focus. Students benefit from access to current research and research-active faculty.
Research informs teaching at Griffith through faculty who integrate their research into courses, evidence-based curriculum design, case study development from research findings, and research opportunities for students. The connection between research and teaching strengthens educational quality.
Research-teaching integration:
Faculty expertise
Curriculum design
Student research
Industry connection
Research-informed teaching ensures students learn current, evidence-based approaches rather than outdated content.
Planning your study.
Apply to Griffith leadership programmes through the university's online application system, providing academic transcripts, English language evidence if required, work experience documentation for graduate programmes, and any additional materials specified for your chosen programme. Application requirements vary by programme level.
Application process:
Research programmes
Gather documentation
Submit application
Await decision
Enrol and prepare
International students must also address visa requirements, health insurance, and practical relocation matters.
Griffith's tuition fees for leadership programmes vary by programme, student status (domestic or international), and fee category—with MBAs typically ranging from AUD 30,000-50,000 total and undergraduate units charged per course. Commonwealth-supported places reduce costs for eligible domestic students.
Fee considerations:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Student status | International students pay higher fees |
| CSP availability | Commonwealth support reduces domestic costs |
| Programme type | Postgraduate typically higher |
| Delivery mode | Online may differ from on-campus |
| Scholarships | May significantly reduce costs |
Explore scholarship opportunities and fee support options. Griffith offers various scholarships for academic achievement, equity, and specific programmes.
Griffith leadership graduates achieve career outcomes including management roles across sectors, career progression within existing organisations, successful career changes, and enhanced leadership capability that enables greater contribution. Outcomes depend on programme, prior experience, and graduate engagement.
Career outcome patterns:
Role advancement
Career transition
Capability enhancement
Continued development
Griffith's careers and employment service supports graduates with job searching, interview preparation, and career development.
Griffith University offers leadership courses through its Business School, including MBA programmes with leadership focus, specialist master's degrees, graduate certificates, and undergraduate units addressing leadership fundamentals. Professional development short courses and executive education programmes provide additional options. Sector-specific programmes in healthcare, education, and public sector also address leadership.
Griffith's MBA is worth considering for leadership development due to AACSB accreditation, flexible delivery options including online, practical orientation, and competitive fees relative to some alternatives. Value depends on career goals, prior qualifications, and how actively you engage with the programme. Research alternatives to confirm fit with your specific needs.
You can study leadership at Griffith online through distance delivery options for many programmes including the MBA and various graduate certificates. Online study enables working professionals to develop leadership capability without relocating or interrupting careers. Check specific programme availability for online delivery before applying.
Entry requirements for Griffith leadership programmes vary by level. Undergraduate programmes typically require secondary school completion meeting entry score requirements. Graduate programmes usually require bachelor's degree completion, with MBA programmes typically requiring work experience. English language requirements apply for non-native speakers. Check specific programme requirements.
A Griffith MBA takes approximately 1.5 to 2 years full-time, with part-time options extending duration. The trimester system enables flexible pacing. Students with relevant prior qualifications may receive credit reducing programme length. Part-time study whilst working typically takes longer but enables immediate application of learning.
Griffith offers various scholarships potentially applicable to leadership programmes, including academic excellence scholarships, equity scholarships, and programme-specific awards. International student scholarships and Australian government support schemes may also apply. Research available scholarships and apply early as funding is competitive.
Campus choice for leadership study depends on programme availability and personal circumstances. The Gold Coast and Nathan campuses host most business programmes. Online delivery eliminates campus concerns for distance students. Consider commute times, campus facilities, and programme delivery location when deciding. Some programmes offer mixed-campus or wholly-online options.
Leadership courses at Griffith University provide accessible, quality development through Australia's AACSB-accredited Business School and specialist faculties. The combination of research-informed teaching, industry connections, and flexible delivery creates opportunities for diverse learners.
Key considerations for Griffith leadership study:
Griffith's emphasis on practical, career-focused education suits students seeking development that translates directly to workplace effectiveness. The university's location in dynamic South East Queensland provides strong industry connections.
Research programmes thoroughly.
Consider alternatives to confirm fit.
Apply when ready to commit fully.
Leadership development at Griffith can advance careers and build capabilities. The value realised depends on programme selection matching needs and active engagement throughout the learning experience.