Abbey Cubit believes that if you want to invest in yourself, getting an MBA is a great option. Meanwhile, with her MBA complete, Patricia Solares Poggi from Bolivia was ready for more. They both ended up at the University of Canberra’s (UC) Faculty of Business, Government & Law.
The faculty is made up of three schools: the Canberra Law School, the Business School, the School of Politics, Economics & Society, and two research centres.
Its business and management education ranks #1 in Australia for postgraduate full-time employment (Good Universities Guide 2025). UC is also among the top 10 in Australia for undergraduate salaries (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey – International 2023) and the top five for full-time employment (QILT trend analysis 2021–2023). Graduates consistently outperform the national average in full-time employment and salary (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey – International 2023).
But what resonated to Poggi most was how the faculty fit her identity as migrant, mother, and a professional committed to meaningful change. “I was searching for a place that not only offered academic excellence but also cared about the whole human experience,” she says.
As a faculty with a mission to “work with government and for society,” it provided the ideal environment and opportunities for students like Poggi to evolve into change-making graduates.
Poggi is pursuing the Professional Doctorate in Business Administration, focusing her research on trade economics, specifically examining non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and their impact on developing, landlocked countries like Bolivia. “My interest in this field stems from my professional experiences in international trade and business development, where I observed firsthand how NTBs can hinder economic growth in emerging markets,” she says.
Only 15 minutes from the federal parliament house, University of Canberra students and professors have unique opportunities to connect theory with real-world government in action. Source: University of Canberra
Master the skills to lead in government and society
Another standout postgraduate offering is the Master of Business Administration (Plus) programme. As current student Abbey Cubit shares, “If you’re thinking that this year is the year to invest in your career and open up some new doors, UC’s MBA is a great option.”
The programme’s expert academics and interactive resources will help you build the strategic thinking, financial insight, and communication skills you need to advance into executive-level leadership advocacy and corporate leadership positions.
Classes cover emerging trends, including digital transformation and management of innovation and change in complex environments. There are specific classes to prepare you for government roles as well, such as government procurement, public policy and risk management. To apply what you’ve learned, you’ll take on a real project that helps grow your leadership portfolio.
“No matter what part of the economy you work in, we will teach a business-like way of thinking,” says MBA Programme Director Brent Jackson.
Academic excellence aside, you will benefit from the faculty’s connections, and thanks to UC’s location in Canberra, those connections are right around the corner. “The city’s proximity to federal government institutions lets me engage with policymakers and understand trade policy development,” says Poggi.
Add on “structured development programmes, research workshops, and digital tools like Inkpath,” and you’ve got the perfect research environment. “It allows me to contextualise my findings within Australia’s broader economic and diplomatic strategies,” says Poggi.
A campus that cares
But the university’s location wasn’t the only factor that attracted postgraduate students like Cubit and Poggi. “That sense of psychological and emotional safety — that if I ever broke down, there were people trained to help me get back up — was what made UC feel like the right place to support my new career pathway,” she says.
This mattered more than ever when life became more complex. As a single parent juggling work and research, Poggi leaned on UC’s comprehensive support system. “The Wellbeing Team, UC Medical Centre, and counselling services weren’t just nice to have. They were non-negotiables for someone in my situation,” she says.
Living in Canberra offered a sense of stability as well. “It’s safe, calm, and surrounded by natural beauty — and it’s become a place where my children feel deeply at home. They love it here, and they don’t want to leave,” she says. “I understand why it ranks highly for quality of life.”
Canberra ranks #1 in the world for quality of life (Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025) and is also Australia’s most affordable capital city for students. Meanwhile, UC is ranked #7 globally and #2 in Australia for tackling and reducing inequality (United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10).
You’ll develop the business mindset needed to succeed in legal, industrial and cultural settings. Source: University of Canberra
The UC difference
UC’s academic excellence and strong wellbeing support are key reasons why its business and management programmes are ranked #1 in Canberra for learner engagement, learning resources, overall educational experience, skills development, student support, and teaching quality (Good Universities Guide 2025). It’s also ranked among the top 10 in Australia for International Outlook (THE World University Rankings 2025), reflecting its global perspective and inclusive learning environment.
For Poggi, these qualities were key in shaping her next chapter. “I came to UC to expand my skillset within the Australian professional and policy context,” she says. “My journey has deepened and refined my executive leadership. It’s shown me that my future impact lies not only in business management, but at the intersection of policy, research, and international collaboration — particularly in advancing more equitable global trade frameworks.”
Follow the University of Canberra on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn
