AGSM @ UNSW Business School this week welcomes the 40th group of impressive students to its Full-Time MBA program to Sydney, confirming its position as Australia's most prestigious and longest-standing graduate school.

The new Class of 2017 comprises more than 60 new students from 16 countries including Australia, the USA, Vietnam, Italy, Pakistan, Russia and the Philippines. The group – selected from a strong set of global applications - is made up of almost 32% women and come from a range of backgrounds including computer science, finance, engineering, manufacturing, media and telecommunications.

The AGSM MBA program is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the world by the Financial Times. Since the establishment of the AGSM in 1977, more than 16,000 executives have completed AGSM programs and these alumni are now in senior roles across the globe.

Deputy Dean and Director of AGSM, Professor Julie Cogin said she was excited by the calibre of students who were attracted to study at the AGSM in 2016.

"In the last 12 months, the recruitment team has undertaken rigorous international recruitment efforts to identify the best MBA candidates for our program. We were greatly impressed by the quality of students who chose AGSM and our base-line GMAT entry requirements have increased as a result. We spent a great deal of time assessing the credentials of each applicant but also gave careful  consideration to the composition and diversity of the broader cohort and how they'll mesh as a group.

Professor Cogin said a review of the full-time program in 2015 had also ensured the continuous delivery of outstanding, relevant academic content by the very best academic staff. It was the most substantial review since the full time MBA program was first established. Outcomes included the introduction of iPads, new educational technologies to enhance the student experience and a greater emphasis placed on the emerging trends of entrepreneurship and innovation.

"The incoming students will benefit from this new content and new approach."

MBA Program Director Clinton Free said that among the talented group of students who had joined the program was former CNBC Business Television Anchor, Samantha Loring.

"Samantha is just one example of the motivated students who have joined us following a richly diverse career. Our students want to expand their global horizons and enhance their network for life long career opportunities."

The incoming students will also have access to a freshly renovated common room which is currently being completed and will be fitted out with new technology to enable for flexible and interactive group work.

The AGSM also welcomed 60 students from NYU Stern business School to campus last week as part of the AGSM Doing Business in Australia 2016 program.


About AGSM

AGSM @ UNSW Business School is Australia's leading graduate school of management and offers one of the world's best MBA programs. We help ambitious professionals prepare for the challenges of a rapidly-changing world, so they can take the next step in their career as global leaders. We are part of the UNSW Business School in Sydney, and provide general management, executive and leadership development programs across Australia and online.  AGSM offers three challenging MBA programs, the unique online MBAX suite of programs and the GCCM (Graduate Certificate in Change Management).  There is also the opportunity to bring our rigorous programs in house with AGSM Executive Education, or to join one of our industry relevant Executive Education Open Programs. 

For further information contact: Alison Avery | Head of AGSM Brand & Communications
+61 (2) 9385 9301| Mobile +61 411 281 184|