Take on the MBS Case Competition, tackle real business challenges, collaborate with teammates, and gain industry insights while growing your network.
What is the MBS Case Competition?
The Melbourne Business School (MBS) Case Competition challenges you to solve real-world business problems for industry leading organisation. Gain skills and insights through workshop, social mixers, and a case launch event. Work with your team to develop solutions, present your ideas to industry experts, and compete for prizes and recognition - all while building your network and boosting your employability.
Eligibility requirements:
To participate in the MBS Case Competition, you must:
- Be a graduate student of the Melbourne Business School (Master of Management Suite, Master of International Business and Specialist Masters programs), or a student enrolled in the Master of Engineering Management and Master of Marketing Communications
- Be enrolled in a subject in Semester 2, 2025
- Register by Sunday 10 August 2025
- Follow the Participant Rules and Guidelines
Why join the MBS Case Competition?
Solve a real-world business problem
Learn from industry experts
Strengthen your employability
Network and build connections
Explore the competition structure
All eligible MBS students are encouraged to participate, whether you're an experienced competitor or new to case competitions. The structure offers valuable learning opportunities in an inclusive and supportive environment.
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The Information Session will provide you with detailed insights into the competition and the chance to connect with fellow participants. You'll have the opportunity to:
- Gain competition insights: Understand the competition structure, requirements, key dates, and what it takes to succeed.
- Meet your MBSSA representatives and peers: Get to know your student supporters, connect with other participants, and find potential teammates if you haven't formed a team yet.
- Participate in a Q&A session: Have your questions answered by the competition organisers to clarify any details.
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The Team Mixer will help you to finalise your team, build connections, and prepare for the competition in a relaxed and supportive setting. You'll have the opportunity to:
- Build your team: Meet other participants who are looking to form or join a team.
- Develop practical skills: Learn strategies for effective collaboration and discover how to find teammates who complement your strengths.
- Network with industry professionals: Connect with representatives from our Silver Sponsor in a casual and welcoming atmosphere.
- Enjoy light refreshments: Grab a bite to eat while mingling with others and planning for the competition.
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The Case Launch marks the official start of the competition, where both the Case Partner and Case Brief will be revealed. This event is crucial for gaining clarity and motivation as you begin tackling the challenge. You’ll have the opportunity to:
- Meet the Case Partner: Hear directly from the Case Partner as they introduce their business problem and explain the importance of your solutions to their organisation.
- Understand the Case Brief: Our Case Writer will guide you through the challenge, outlining key details and helping you get started on the right track.
- Receive insights from our Gold Sponsor: Gain valuable perspectives as our Gold Sponsor shares their expertise on the case topic and offers additional context to enrich your approach.
- Expand your network: Connect with industry professionals and senior academics who can offer valuable insights and advice.
- Enjoy light refreshments: Join attendees in celebrating the official launch of the competition and the exciting journey ahead.
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Dive into the world of consulting with Crack the Case, a skill building workshop delivered by our Gold Sponsor, a leading consulting firm. Whether you're new to case competitions or refining your skills, this workshop will equip you with the tools needed to succeed. You'll have the opportunity to:
- Learn consulting fundamentals: Understand the key principles that shape a consultant's strategic approach to business challenges.
- Get started on the Case Brief: Discover practical tips for research, financial analysis, and breaking down the case to create a focused and impactful strategy.
- Gain insider insights: Receive expert advice from consulting professionals to refine your approach and stand out in the competition.
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The Q&A Session enables you to dive deeper into the Case Brief, with direct input from both the Case Partner and Case Writer. Taking place at a pivotal point in the competition, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Clarify your questions: Receive answers to your pre-submitted questions, resolve any uncertainties, and gain additional context.
- Deepen your understanding: Hear from the Case Partner about their business challenge, including key priorities and insights to guide your approach.
- Refine your strategy: Use this session to adjust your solution to ensure it aligns with the Case Partner's expectations.
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Details are being finalised and will be provided soon.
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At Pre-Screening stage, your team will submit an overview of your solution to the Case Brief. You'll have the opportunity to:
- Submit your solution: Each team will submit a single document (PowerPoint or PDF) outlining your proposed solution.
- Highlight key ideas: The submission should showcase your core strategies and explain how your approach addresses the Case Brief. (Further guidelines on slide count and content will be provided).
- Undergo judging and selection: Your submission will be reviewed by our panel of judges, with the top 16 teams progressing to the Preliminary Round.
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Presenting to Win is a skill building workshop delivered by consulting professionals. Designed for teams progressing to the Preliminary Round, as well as any participants seeking to enhance their presentation skills, this workshop provides practical techniques. You'll have the opportunity to:
- Master pitching techniques: Learn how to present your solution effectively, with strategies for structuring and delivering your pitch with confidence.
- Create impactful slides: Gain tips for designing clear, compelling slides that effectively communicate your ideas and elevate your presentation.
- Build confidence: Receive expert advice on overcoming nerves and presenting with poise, ensuring you make a lasting impression.
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The Preliminary Round is where the top 16 teams will present their solutions to a panel of judges, competing for a place in the Final Round. If your team advances to this round, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Present your solution: Your team will be allocated to one of four judging rooms, where you will have 10 minutes to present your solution using a comprehensive slide deck, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A with the judges.
- Receive feedback: Judges will provide your team with constructive feedback. For the four teams progressing to the Final Round, this feedback will be valuable in fine-tuning your approach for the next stage.
- Network and build connections: Engage with judges, sponsors, industry professionals, and senior academics, forging valuable relationships for your future career.
- Win your room: Compete to be one of the top teams selected to progress to the Final Round.
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The Final Round marks the exciting conclusion of the BCom Case Competition, where the top four teams will compete for the prestigious title of champion and a generous cash prize pool. You'll have the opportunity to:
- Present your solution and earn recognition: If your team advances to this round, you'll have 10 minutes to present your solution using a comprehensive slide deck, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A with the judges. The winning teams will receive trophies and prizes, acknowledging their outstanding performance.
- Support the finalists: We encourage all participants, friends, and family members to attend and cheer on the finalists, celebrating the hard work and creativity shown by all teams.
- Network and build connections: Engage with judges, sponsors, industry professionals, and senior academics, forging valuable relationships for your future career.
- Enjoy light refreshments: Join attendees in celebrating the official conclusion of the competition.
Key Program Dates 2025
- Monday 14 July
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9:00am
Registrations Open
- Tuesday 5 August
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12:00pm - 1:00pm
Information Session
- Sunday 10 August
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11:59pm
Registrations Close
- Thursday 14 August
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TBC
Team Mixer
- Tuesday 19 August
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6:30pm-8:00pm
Case Launch
- Thursday 21 August
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6:30pm-8:00pm
Skills Development Session #1: Crack The Case
- Monday 25 August
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1:00pm
Q&A Submission Due
- Tuesday 26 August
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6:30pm-8:00pm
Q&A Session
- Thursday 28 August
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TBC
Skills Development Session #2: Storytelling Through Slides
- Wednesday 3 September
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11:59pm
Pre-screening Submissions Due
- Thursday 11 September
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5pm
Pre-screening outcomes available
- Friday 12 September
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TBC
Skills Development Session #3: Presenting To Win
- Thursday 18 September
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1:00pm-4:30pm
Preliminary Round
- Tuesday 23 September
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5:00pm-8:30pm
Final Round
How do I register?
Registrations for the 2025 MBS Case Competition open on Monday, 14 July at 09:00am. If you're an eligible student and would like to receive an email reminder when registrations open, please complete the Expression of Interest form.
Information session
Join us over lunch to learn more about the MBS Case Competition. Hear from organisers, meet your MBSSA representatives, connect with fellow participant, and get your questions answered.
| Session | Date | Time (AEST) | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBS Case Competition Information Session | Tue 5 August | 12:00pm - 1:00pm | TBC |
Prizes and rewards
Win a case prize
Details for the 2025 MBS Case Competition prize pool will be available soon! Each year, the competition offers a generous prize pool to reward the top teams. In 2024, the total prize pool was $7,750 AUD thanks to the support of our sponsors. The prize distribution was as follows:
- 1st place - $3,900
- 2nd place - $2,000
- 3rd place - $1,050
- 4th place - $800
Earn Melbourne Plus accreditation
Melbourne Plus is the University's flagship co-curricular recognition program. MBS Case Competition participants who progress to the Preliminary Finals will be invited to complete a reflective piece to earn the 'Innovation' Melbourne Plus digital credential to share with your network (e.g. on your resume or LinkedIn profile).
"The highlight was not just winning first place but also the friendships we built. We pushed each other to think deeply and brought out the best in one another. Our diverse strengths drove our success, but it was our shared commitment to excellence, mutual respect and trust, and learning agility that truly set us apart."
TradeWise, 2024 MBS Case Competition Winning Team
Case Partner 2024
ANZ
ANZ is among the top four banks in Australia, the largest banking group in New Zealand and the Pacific, and among the top 100 banks in the world by market capitalisation.
Currently headquartered in Melbourne, ANZ’s history dates to 1835 with the establishment of the first Bank of Australasia branch in Sydney. As trade and commerce grew rapidly in the Pacific region, the Bank of Australasia merged with multiple banks to play a pivotal role in facilitating international trade and capital flows for Australian and New Zealand businesses.
Sponsors (2024)
SPP (Gold Sponsor)
SPP is a high-impact consulting firm that partners with senior executives to overcome complex strategic and operational challenges. Across public and private sectors, we work with clients to deliver transformational change and true impact in key community-shaping sectors: Education & Research, Consumer, Government, Financial Services, Asset-Intensive Industries, and For-Purpose. We ensure that strong rigour is applied to the development of a fact-base, which, in turn, is used to support decision-making. We are committed to the growth of our client services and our people, and we recruit for diversity of skills, experiences, and perspectives. We recruit people that can balance creativity and vision with pragmatism. SPP has been a longstanding partner of the University of Melbourne through sponsorship of University Case Competitions, employment of undergraduates, as well as being a leading recruiter of talent from Melbourne Business School.
ACCA (Silver Sponsor)
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a globally recognised professional accountancy body providing qualifications and advancing standards in accountancy worldwide. Founded in 1904 to widen access to the accountancy profession, we’ve long championed inclusion and today proudly support a diverse community of over 252,500 members and 526,000 future members in 180 countries. Our forward-looking qualifications, continuous learning and insights are respected and valued by employers in every sector. They equip individuals with the business and finance expertise and ethical judgment to create, protect, and report the sustainable value delivered by organisations and economies. Guided by our purpose and values, our vision is to develop the accountancy profession the world needs. In Australia and New Zealand, we have established a Strategic Alliance with CA ANZ, offering ACCA members a pathway to mutual membership recognition after five years. Additionally, ACCA members can also benefit from a streamlined membership process with CPA Australia.
CFA Society Australia (Bronze Sponsor)
The CFA Society Australia represents the interests of over 900 local members of the investment profession.
Our mission is to serve members of the Society and enhance the reputation of the CFA® designation in Australia by promoting ethics, integrity and professional excellence; and to improve the competency and standards of the investment profession in Australia. Our independent voice aims to ensure the integrity and efficiency of the capital markets that underpin our profession and the broader economy.
Our vision is to make the CFA Society Australia an indispensable part of the investment profession in Australia.
Have a question?
If you have a question about the MBS Case Competition, send us an email with your student ID.