AGSM achieves gender parity in Full-Time MBA program for second year in a row

AGSM @ UNSW Business School has achieved gender parity for the second year in a row in the Full-Time MBA program. The 2021 MBA cohort is comprised of 50% male and female students from 18 different countries with an average of eight years’ work experience prior to entering the program.

"AGSM is proud to have achieved a student body comprised of 50% women for the second consecutive year. This gender parity milestone has been reached by just a handful of elite schools around the world, and we are thrilled to be one of the very first,” said Dr Michele Roberts, AGSM Academic Director.

In 2018, AGSM overhauled its recruitment and scholarship programs with a focus on attracting a more diverse global cohort of high-quality MBA candidates.

“This achievement was reached through intentional efforts over the course of a year, propelling us from the industry standard of 36% female representation to a full 50%,” she said. “This was achieved by strategic realignment of scholarship funds along with the broadening of criteria for demonstrating excellence to be more fully inclusive of different experiences and talents. What is particularly exciting about this - and comes as no surprise - is that the quality of our cohort increased simultaneously."

AGSM awarded five Women in Leadership scholarships to domestic and international students and for the second time awarded the prestigious Luminis AGSM Wharton Business Innovation Scholarship, that includes an exchange to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, to a woman.

“My MBA journey would not be possible without this generous scholarship,” said Kiara Olrich, the 2020 Luminis AGSM Wharton Business Innovation Scholarship recipient and a Director at Nous Group, Australia. “Receiving this scholarship means that I can maximise the benefits offered by AGSM over the next 16 months and invest in myself. Both the curriculum and networking opportunities at the AGSM and Wharton will push me out of my comfort zone and the internship in the US will expose me to another business culture outside Australia,” she said.

“I chose AGSM for three reasons: they are one of the only business schools in the world to have 50% women in their full-time program. They have global partnerships with elite business schools across the world for exchange opportunities and the location in Sydney means I can continue living close to my family, friends and my community,” she said.

Megan Coffey, AGSM 2020 Women in Leadership Scholarship recipient and a lawyer with LOD Legal Services, said, “AGSM was an easy first choice for me. As I completed my double undergraduate degree at UNSW, this gave me insight into the diverse culture of the University, the atmosphere on campus and the positive attitude towards teaching and learning undertaken by the schools.”

“I knew that an MBA at AGSM would provide an opportunity to develop the business, strategy and management skills needed to pursue my career goals, be taught by world-class leaders and leverage the network of my cohort and the AGSM community,” Megan said.

AGSM continues to create a learning environment that equips the next generation of leaders to respect diversity of thought and will contribute to a progressive society after completing their MBA. AGSM’s scholarship offerings provide opportunities for eligible candidates from not-for-profits, the military, entrepreneurs, elite athletes, members of the LGBTI community and Indigenous leaders to gain a world-class education at a globally ranked business school.

To find out more about the AGSM Full-Time MBA scholarships, click here.