Our course advisors often receive questions like ‘What’s business administration?’ and ‘What do you do in business management?’ When it comes to business courses, the terms ‘business administration’ and ‘business management’ are often used interchangeably. However, there are significant differences between these two study pathways.
In this article, we’ll explain the difference between business administration and business management courses, and provide guidance for anyone who wants to gain a business qualification.
Are business management and business administration the same?
Courses in business administration and business management have similar components – they’re both, designed to help you succeed in a business career. But while both fields are related, they ultimately serve different functions.
Business administration courses tend to focus on teaching you about the operational side of running a business. Those in business admin roles are responsible for keeping the business running smoothly, which can include anything from analysing finances to facilitating training programs.
On the other hand, courses in business management tend to focus more on leadership, decision-making, and managing people. Studying a business management course will give you many transferable skills by sharpening your ability to think analytically and helping you to lead small and large teams.
| What is business administration? | What is business management? |
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A course in business administration will give you sought-after generalist business skills. Here are some of the things you’ll learn in Swinburne Online’s business admin courses:
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Swinburne’s business management courses will help you become an expert at making effective, well-informed business decisions. You should study management if you want to learn:
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What jobs can you do in business administration and management?
One way to decide whether you’re more suited to administration or management is to have a look at the kinds of jobs you can apply for once you graduate.
What is a business administration degree suitable for, in terms of employment opportunities? There are many things you can do with this kind of qualification, since it teaches you how to be a good leader, and solve complex problems. Business administration graduates are particularly suited to corporate governance, consulting, financial analytics and general leadership roles.
If you have your sights set on a high-level role in a large corporation, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can also give you the skills needed to achieve your career goals. The MBA at Swinburne Online allows you to specialise in one of three areas – business, project management or cybersecurity – so you can focus on what interests you the most.
Business management degrees equip you with similar skills, but with more of a managerial focus. What is a business management degree most useful for, with regards to career pathways? Project management is a big area, as is human resources. It all comes down to your own interests and passions – with a management degree, you will be well-equipped to lead in all sorts of different industries.
If you already have a degree and want to upskill, or you have several years of relevant professional experience, you might like to consider a Graduate Certificate of Management. You’ll learn from industry experts, and also gain credit that could ultimately go towards an MBA.
| What jobs can you do with a business administration degree? | What jobs can you do with a business management degree? |
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These are some of the careers and their average salaries (SEEK 2026) you can pursue after completing a course in business administration:
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These are some of the roles and their average salaries (SEEK 2026) which you might consider after completing a business management degree:
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What do you study for business administration and business management degrees?
For those wondering “What do you do in business administration degree?,” you’ll learn about various aspects of business operations, including planning, directing and controlling resources, and strategies to achieve organisational objectives.
If you undertake a Bachelor of Business – Business Administration at Swinburne Online, you’ll study a total of 24 units, including five foundational core business units. We offer flexible study options for those studying business administration, meaning you can continue to work full time while completing your studies.
Once you’ve completed your undergraduate studies, you can continue on to study a Graduate Certificate of Business Administration. This course consists of four units, providing a broad overview of the many facets of contemporary business.
Alternatively, the Bachelor of Business – Management (which consists of 24 units) is a great choice if you want to develop your communication, collaboration and creative thinking skills.
| What do you study in business administration? | What do you study in business management? |
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In our business administration undergraduate program, you’ll study these major units:
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Our undergraduate program for business management includes these major units:
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Which business degree is best?
The best business degree depends on your interests and career goals. If you’re interested in business operations, strategy and driving organisational performance, a business administration degree may be the right fit for you. However, if you’re more interested in the human and organisational elements of business, like leading teams and managing organisational culture, a business management degree could be a better choice. Rather than one degree being universally better than the other, the best option is the one that aligns with the area of business you’re most passionate about and the career path you want to pursue.
| Who should study business administration? | Who should study business management? |
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| If you’d prefer to be involved “behind the scenes” in a high-level administrative role, business administration is for you. These types of courses will teach you how to make sure everything runs smoothly within a business, while adhering to compliance requirements. | Those who would prefer to be directly involved in how a business is run are better suited to business management courses. If you’re interested in helping employees to perform at their best, you’d be well suited to a managerial role. |
Learn more about our Business courses, or contact our friendly Course Consultants for further information.
FAQs
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What is the difference between business administration and business management?
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Publish date: 23 Aug 2023
*Please note that fees and/or statistics are subject to change each year.
