Overview
UNSW Online’s Master of AI Leadership and Strategy is designed for professionals who want to lead confidently in a rapidly changing technology landscape. You’ll build the strategic judgement, ethical understanding and practical capability to guide responsible AI adoption, manage risk and create value across complex organisations.
Delivered online, the program goes beyond technical knowledge to focus on leadership, governance and decision-making. You’ll learn how to assess AI opportunities, communicate across technical and non-technical teams, and shape approaches that are effective, accountable and aligned with business goals.
For professionals considering an artificial intelligence master's degree with real-world relevance, this program combines flexibility with academic excellence. As one of the more distinctive artificial intelligence degrees online, the UNSW Master of AI Leadership and Strategy offers a strong foundation in responsible innovation, strategic oversight and the confidence to lead AI-enabled change.
Why study with us?
Choosing where to study is a career-defining investment. At UNSW, you join a global top 20 university*, ranked #1 in Australia for career outcomes^. As a proud member of the Group of Eight (Go8), Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, we provide access to world-class resources, innovative research and a powerful network of alumni driving change worldwide. You'll gain insights informed by leading AI research, industry partnerships and real-world applications shaping the future of responsible AI adoption and innovation.
Study 100% online, receive personalised support from dedicated Student Advisors and develop practical skills you can apply immediately to real business challenges. Graduate with the expertise to lead AI-driven transformation with confidence.
*QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026
^QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023-2025 & Australian Financial Review (AFR) Best Universities Ranking, 2024
Duration
2 years, part time
Courses
12
Intake
Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Aug, Oct
Program code
8494
You’ll study the key areas shaping AI in organisations, including AI fluency, responsible decision-making, strategy, governance and risk. The program also builds your ability to lead AI initiatives by bridging business strategy and technology decision-making.
Key skills you'll develop
- Informed decision-making and applied business knowledge across local and global contexts
- Evidence-based problem solving and critical thinking
- Effective communication, teamwork and collaboration toward shared business goals
- Ethical, responsible and sustainable business practice
- Global and cross-cultural competence in diverse environments
- Leadership, innovation and the ability to influence and inspire others
Complete each of the following courses
- AI Fluency
- Responsible AI for Business and Society
- Developing Strategy for AI
- Computational Thinking and AI
- Leading Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Change
- Risk Management and Governance in the Age of AI
- Philosophy of AI
- Designing Responsible AI Systems^
- AI Leadership and Strategy Final Project (Capstone)†
^Students must complete ZZBU0032 Responsible AI for Business and Society before taking this course.
†Students must complete 8 courses before commencing this course.
Choose three electives
- Introductory Data Analysis
- Strategies for Disruption
- Managing with Digital Technology
- Managing People and Organisations
- Analytics and Business
- Predictive Analytics*
- Law, Regulation and Ethics
- Digital Transformation and AI
- Corporate Governance and Leadership
- Employee Wellbeing and Engagement
*Prerequisite: Introductory Data Analysis
Course availability is dependent on initial intake timing and following student participation in study periods. For more information, speak with a Student Advisor.
To explore the insights you will learn download the program guide.
AI careers are expanding rapidly as organisations seek leaders who can turn emerging technology into responsible, measurable business value. The Master of AI Leadership and Strategy at UNSW equips you with the strategic, leadership and governance skills needed to guide AI adoption, manage risk and lead transformation across complex organisations. Graduates may be positioned to explore senior and emerging roles such as:
- Head of AI Strategy
- Director of AI Transformation
- Director of Digital Strategy
- Director of AI Governance
- Chief AI Officer
- Chief Digital Officer
- Enterprise Transformation Director
General admission requirements
To be eligible for this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree in any discipline plus a minimum of 2 years’ relevant work experience*; OR
- An Honours degree or higher qualification in any discipline
Applicants who do not meet the above entry requirements may be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in AI Strategy. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate may articulate into the Master of AI Leadership and Strategy with full credit for courses completed.
*Relevant work experience includes: Being responsible for tasks within a business or organisational context that may involve people management, organisational development, or business process improvement Managing a small team, leading workplace change initiatives, overseeing a relevant project Holding supervisory HR, marketing, finance or administrative responsibilities within a commercial or public sector setting. Part-time roles and internships undertaken during undergraduate studies will not be counted.
**Related disciplines include: Business, Management, or Commerce Information Technology or Computer Science Engineering Data Science, Analytics, or Statistics Public Policy and Governance Health Administration
Limitations on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Students may be eligible to receive the equivalent of four courses of credit for prior study (RPL) subject to approval and provided the eligible courses were completed within the last ten years.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place. Study plans and completion times might vary depending on elective choice, leave and subject availability. For more information, speak with a Student Advisor.
English language
Depending on your educational background and citizenship, you may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency to study at UNSW. We require a minimum level of English language competency for enrolment. English language skills are essential for webinar comprehension and the completion of coursework, assignments and examinations. If English is not your first language, you will need to provide proof of your English proficiency before receiving an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
Program fees
At UNSW Online, we’re committed to providing a world-class education that delivers exceptional value. Our programs are designed to fit your lifestyle and career goals, with fees structured on a per-course basis to give you flexibility and control over your investment. Your student fees are calculated based on the courses you take and your residency type, ensuring transparency and fairness.
Indicative 2026 fee per course
$5,130
Indicative 2026 total program fees
$62,500
The total indicative fee varies based on the elective courses you select, the year you complete them and any approved recognition of prior learning (RPL) granted before you begin your studies. Find out more about our course and program fees here.
FEE-HELP available
Eligible domestic students can apply for FEE-HELP, a government loan to cover all or part of your tuition fees for fee-paying places. The loan amount is added to our HELP debt, which is repaid once your income reaches the repayment threshold.
You can apply for FEE-HELP as part of your acceptance to UNSW Online. The form will present itself during your final stages of online acceptance if you are eligible.
Applications must be submitted before the relevant teaching period census date. Read more about FEE-HELP and eligibility here.
At UNSW Online, we’re here to support you every step of the way as you work toward graduating from one of the world’s leading universities. Our online learning environment is designed to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule, giving you the flexibility to access course resources anytime, anywhere on any device. We offer six study blocks, known as hexamesters, each year. These seven-week blocks with orientation time beforehand allow you to focus on one course at a time – providing the perfect balance between study and life’s other commitments.
Our academics are among the best in the world and even though you’re studying online, you’ll experience the same high-quality education as our on-campus students. Throughout your journey, you’ll have the dedicated support of your Student Success Advisor. From enrolment to graduation, they’ll be your go-to for all non-academic queries, available by phone or email to ensure you stay on track. You’ll also benefit from Career Success – a self-paced, curated module designed to help you build and implement an effective career plan. With access to tools like Career AI (powered by VMock) and CaseCoach as well as guides for perfecting your LinkedIn profile, resume and cover letter, you’ll be equipped to take the next step in your career with confidence.
Why choose the Master of AI Leadership and Strategy at UNSW Online?
Australia's #1 university
UNSW is ranked 1st in Australia and 19th globally* - a proud reflection of excellence in research, teaching and positive societal impact.
*QS World University Rankings, 2027
#1 in Sydney for Business and Management
Learn from some of the top experts and academics in Australia for Business and Management studies*.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026
#1 for graduate outcomes
UNSW produces the most employable graduates* who earn the highest average salaries in Australia**.
*AFR, Top 100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2026
**QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023-2025
The AGSM advantage
Powered by UNSW’s Business School, the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) delivers globally acclaimed management education, equipping you to lead and make an impact.
Why pursue a career in AI?
Australian organisations that haven't moved their AI initiatives beyond the pilot phase
New AI-related roles required in Australia by 2030
200,000
Senior AI leaders are commanding high salaries
$198,000+
Australian workers who say their workplace is prepared for AI
41%
I've found the content at UNSW really practical, and the fact that the teachers have real-world experience makes it even more useful.
Brendan Vos
Current UNSW Online student
Frequently asked questions
A Master of AI can be worth it if you want to move beyond general AI awareness and build the skills to lead AI strategy, governance and implementation. A Master of Artificial Intelligence helps you develop deeper capability in areas such as responsible AI, risk, ethics, business transformation and strategic decision-making.
An online Master of AI, such as the Master of AI Leadership and Strategy UNSW program, can be especially valuable if you need flexible study while continuing to work. When comparing programs, it's important to assess whether they align with your career goals: technical development, AI leadership, governance or business strategy.
There is no single official “30% rule” in AI. In some business contexts, it refers to the idea that AI should meaningfully improve a task, workflow or decision process before it is worth scaling.
For example, leaders may assess whether AI tools can reduce manual effort, improve accuracy or lift productivity by a clear margin. The key is not the exact percentage, but whether AI creates measurable value while managing risk, ethics and user impact.
The cost of a Master of AI depends on the university, program length and whether you are a domestic or international student. For UNSW’s Master of AI Strategy, the 2026 indicative total program fee is $62,500 AUD. FEE-HELP is also available.
Fees are subject to annual review, so you should always check the latest fee information before applying. If you’re comparing a Master of Artificial Intelligence, also consider the payment structure, study load, FEE-HELP eligibility and whether the program is designed for working professionals.
Graduates with a Master of AI or Master of Artificial Intelligence may be suited to roles in AI strategy, governance, transformation, risk and responsible innovation. Salaries vary by role, industry and experience, but senior AI leadership roles can attract strong earning potential, with some positions advertised around $198,000 and above.
*Correct at time of publishing.
Yes, you can study a Master of Artificial Intelligence online through selected universities. An online Master of AI gives you the flexibility to build postgraduate capability while balancing work and personal commitments.
UNSW’s online study model is designed for working professionals, with courses delivered in focused seven-week study blocks. This structure allows you to study one course at a time while progressing towards a recognised postgraduate qualification.
The best Master of AI program depends on your career goals. If you want to build or train AI models, a highly technical Master of Artificial Intelligence may suit you. If you want to lead AI adoption, manage risk and shape strategy, a leadership-focused program may be a better fit.
The UNSW Master of AI Leadership and Strategy is designed for professionals who want to connect AI capability with business performance, governance and responsible decision-making.
Artificial intelligence is the broader field focused on creating systems that can perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence, such as reasoning, planning, language processing or decision support. Machine learning is a subset of AI that uses data to identify patterns and improve performance over time.
If your focus is learning machine learning, you may look at technical pathways or a Masters in Machine Learning. If your goal is to lead AI strategy, governance and implementation, a broader AI leadership program may be more relevant.
AI can involve coding, but it is not only for programmers. Technical roles often require programming artificial intelligence systems, working with data and building models, but many AI leadership roles focus on strategy, governance, ethics, risk and organisational change.
UNSW’s Master of AI Leadership and Strategy includes technical literacy, but its focus is on helping professionals understand, evaluate and lead AI initiatives in real-world business contexts.
Yes, AI skills are in demand in Australia as organisations look for people who can apply AI responsibly and strategically. Businesses need professionals who understand both the opportunities and risks of AI, including governance, ethics, regulation and implementation.
If you want to study AI in Australia, it’s worth choosing a program that builds practical capability for local and global business contexts, not just general AI awareness.
The best university for AI in Australia depends on whether you want a technical, research-focused or leadership-focused pathway. UNSW is a strong choice for professionals seeking AI capability grounded in strategy, governance, ethics and business application.
The UNSW Master of AI Leadership and Strategy is delivered 100% online and designed for those who want to lead AI initiatives responsibly. If you’re searching for a Master of AI, look closely at how the program aligns with your career goals and preferred study mode. UNSW allows you to study completely online around existing work and life commitments.
Studying AI at UNSW gives you access to a globally recognised university with strong expertise across technology, business, ethics and innovation. The UNSW Master of AI Leadership and Strategy is designed to help professionals lead AI strategy, manage risk and support responsible adoption in complex organisations.
If you’re comparing Master of AI programs, consider UNSW’s online flexibility, industry-relevant curriculum and focus on strategic AI leadership.
If you want to study AI in Australia and secure a leadership role, a formal degree is highly valuable. Our curriculum is actively reviewed by an industry council and taught by practicing experts to ensure you learn the most current, market-ready skills. Coupled with flexible payment options like FEE-HELP for eligible domestic students, the long-term career outcomes make this a smart, future-focused investment.
No, studying with UNSW Online does not make you eligible for a student visa, as all programs are delivered 100% online and can be completed from anywhere in the world.
To be eligible for a student visa, you must enrol in an on-campus program that meets the visa requirements for studying in Australia.
No, you can study entirely online from your home country. UNSW Online programs are designed for flexible learning and do not require you to be in Australia. This means you do not need a student visa to apply.
Yes, international students can apply for UNSW Online programs, provided they meet the entry requirements. A student visa is not required or will be issued.
We have entered the period many have been anticipating for decades: the time when AI is fundamentally transforming how organisations operate and compete. Navigating this transformation responsibly will require thoughtful leadership, ethical judgement and a willingness to redesign existing practices rather than simply automate them.
Eric Isaacson
A/Prof, Program Director of AI Leadership and Strategy, UNSW Online
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