Master of Business
Set yourself up as a future business leader and rise to the top of your industry by developing expertise in a specialist subject.
The Master of Business (MBus) is a research-focused master’s degree that was previously called the Master of Management Studies (MMS). The MBus is open for enrolments to new students from 2025. If you have any questions, please email msc@waikato.ac.nz
180 points, 1.5 years; or 120 points, 1 year
Hamilton
Trimester A (February), Trimester B (July)
Why study the Master of Business?
If you're looking to accelerate your professional career by gaining expertise in an area of business or management that you're passionate about, or you want to prepare for PhD study or a research career, this degree is ideal.
The Master of Business (MBus) will bring you closer to the frontiers of knowledge in your specialist field, and prepare you for leadership roles that require a high level of critical thinking and information analysis.
The degree typically includes a combination of both taught subject papers and a research dissertation (at least 30 points), but can also be taken as a full research thesis (120 points).
Normally all papers are taken within the same specialist subject area that you majored in for your undergraduate bachelor's degree.
If you've already been awarded an honours degree or postgraduate diploma in a relevant subject, you may be able to complete the Master of Business in only 120 points, instead of 180 points. Choose from the subjects listed below in the degree planners.
Learn from experienced lecturers who have research and consulting links with leading companies, NGOs and governments around the world.
Completing the Master of Business will put you on the right academic pathway for future PhD doctoral study.
Career Opportunities
- Academic
- Business analyst / consultant
- Business development manager
- Communications and engagement manager
- Customer experience manager
- Digital business or e-commerce manager
- Corporate sustainability manager
- Financial advisor / analyst
- Human resources manager
- Logistics / Supply chain manager
- Marketing manager
- Operations manager
- Policy advisor / analyst (eg.government)
- Public relations consultant
- Researcher
- Strategy and Investment Leader
180 points, 1.5 years; or 120 points, 1 year
Hamilton
Trimester A (February), Trimester B (July)
Degree information
Select a tile for more information. Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
You can apply for the MBus if:
- MBus 180 points: You have completed a Bachelor of Business; Bachelor of Communication; Bachelor of Banking, Finance and Technology; or a Bachelor of Management Studies; or another qualification in a relevant subject area deemed to be equivalent by the Academic Board; AND you have achieved at least a B grade average across the 300 Level papers in that subject; OR
- MBus 120 points: You have completed a Bachelor of Business with Honours; or a Bachelor of Communication Studies with Honours; or a Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours; or another Honours degree in a relevant subject area with at least Second Class Honours (Second Division); or a Postgraduate diploma (120 points) in a relevant subject area deemed to be equivalent by the Academic Board; AND
- You have satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject you intend to take for the Master of Business, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.
In exceptional circumstances you may still be considered for admission to the MBus based on academic merit and relevant experience; after completing any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe.
Admission to the programme does not automatically imply admission to particular papers, so you may need to complete some prerequisite papers first. See the Catalogue of Papers.
For more information, please refer to the MBus degree regulations.
International students:
International students must have an equivalent qualification from a recognised university, and meet the English language requirements for graduate/postgraduate programmes.
English language requirements:
- an IELTS overall score of at least 6.5, with no band below 6.0, or
- an iBT (Internet-based TOEFL) score of at least 90, with a Writing score of at least 21, or
- a B grade or better at Level 8 in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English, or
- an overall score of C (with at least a C in the Writing band) in the Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes, or
- a PTE Academic overall score of at least 56, with no less than 46 for each communicative skill.
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costsScholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 November 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Graduate of the Master of Business will be able to:
- Understand and critically review and synthesise the core theory, perspectives and analytical approaches within their specialist area for the programme.
- Apply skills and knowledge to find, interpret, critique and evaluate research, commentary and policy relating to their specialist area for the programme.
- Make decisions, find solutions, and develop applications within their specialist area for the programme, informed by disciplinary knowledge and sustainability concepts.
- Effectively communicate arguments, findings and ideas informed by research within their specialist area for the programme.
- Have a thorough understanding of the disciplinary area associated with a research topic.
- Understand a variety of relevant research methodologies and methods appropriate to the discipline.
- Apply an appropriate research method to an investigation of a topic in a rigorous manner.
- Present the research effectively in the form of a research paper/dissertation/thesis.
Why study at The University of Waikato?
Top 1% globally
Waikato Management School is in the top 1% of business schools globally with our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB), which we've held since 2005.
Internationally respected
Waikato is ranked in the world's top 125 universities for business and economics in the Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings.
Industry connections
Learn from passionate lecturers who are also active researchers, with strong consulting links to leading companies, NGOs and government departments.
Other qualifications you may be interested in:
International students
Further study options
Graduates who complete the Master of Business with First Class or Second Class First Division Honours will be eligible to be considered for enrolment in a Doctor of Philosophy.
Alumni success stories
The technical and academic skills I learnt at Waikato I use every day.Alex KravchenkoDoctor of Philosophy
