Economics – Master of Business Studies

Massey’s Master of Business Studies (Economics) will give you the business and economics skills to take your career to the next level. Specialising in economics will give you many career options.

Where you can study

Auckland campus
Distance and online
Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Specialise in Economics for your Master of Business Studies at Massey

Massey University’s Master of Business Studies combines study of advanced theory with research. It gives you the skills you need to progress your career, or continue to further study.

What will you learn?

A master’s is a rigorous, challenging, rewarding and exciting qualification. Your study will focus on your chosen specialisation, in the context of other business disciplines. This reflects the reality of today’s business environment.

You will learn the processes and disciplines involved in high-level in-depth research and how to apply them to business. You will complete and present a comprehensive written report on an independent research topic.

We have strong relationships with industry. We will help you draw on experience you may have to give your learning context and relevance to the real world.

The Master of Business Studies will also develop your oral and written communication skills to the level expected of senior business leaders.

Further study

After completing a Master of Business Studies, you could go on to a PhD.

A Master of Business Studies in Economics is a good fit if you:

  • have completed a bachelor’s degree (or bachelor’s degree with honours) in business or related discipline with good grades
  • are interested in a postgraduate qualification with a research component
  • wish to progress your career or would like to continue on to a PhD.

Planning information

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

Grades achieved in the first 60 credits will determine eligibility for progression to Part Two. You will need to achieve a minimum B- grade average over the first 60 credits of Part One including the compulsory courses.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Core courses for the Master of Business Studies

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Master of Business Studies core courses

Economics courses

Part One

An approved 700-level Research Methods course

Subject courses

Course code: 178703 The Theory and Practice of Economics 30 credits

This course is a survey of developments in macroeconomic and microeconomic theory with extension into contemporary issues and practice.

Restrictions: '178.200 & 178.201', or their equivalent(s)

View full course details
Course code: 178712 International Monetary Economics 30 credits

This course is concerned with the monetary and macroeconomic relationships between countries. It deals with such issues as balance-of-payments problems and policies, the functioning of foreign exchange rate markets, the determination and causes of exchange-rate movements, the international monetary system, and derivative instruments including swaps, options and futures.

Prerequisites: 178703 or 125700 or 125330 or Appraisal Required

View full course details
Course code: 178718 Health Economics 30 credits

Subject areas to be covered include microeconomics for healthcare, the economics of politics and bureaus, demand for healthcare, the supply and organisation of healthcare, hospital behaviour, moral hazard, cost-benefit analysis in health, private versus public provision of healthcare and contemporary policy issues.

View full course details
Course code: 178719 Climate Change Economics and Policy 30 credits

An analysis of the economics of climate change and evaluation of the mitigation options used by policy makers globally.

View full course details
Course code: 178732 Advanced Econometrics 30 credits

This course introduces students to advanced methods used in econometrics and forecasting. Topics include time-series analysis; testing and model selection; simultaneous equations; nonstationarity; vector autoregressive models; causality and exogeneity; binary choice models and panel data analysis.

Prerequisites: 125785 or any 300-level Econometrics course

View full course details
Course code: 178755 Economic Growth, International and Development Economics 30 credits

A critical assessment of topics from economic growth, international economics and the nature and measurement of development. There is an emphasis on the empirical and policy implications of development strategies including the relationship between managing development, role of the State, international economy, globalisation, trade theory and policy, global crises, and macroeconomic policy.

View full course details

Part Two

Choose at least 60 credits from
Course code: 115891 Thesis 90-Credit Part 1 45 credits

Candidates are required to conduct a piece of independent research under supervision and to produce a thesis for examination.

View full course details
Course code: 115892 Thesis 90-Credit Part 2 45 credits

Candidates are required to conduct a piece of independent research under supervision and to produce a thesis for examination.

View full course details
Course code: 115894 Research Report 60-Credit Part 1 30 credits

Candidates are required to conduct a piece of independent research under supervision and to produce a report of the research for examination.

View full course details
Course code: 115895 Research Report 60-Credit Part 2 30 credits

Candidates are required to conduct a piece of independent research under supervision and to produce a report of the research for examination.

View full course details
Course code: 178894 Research Report 60 credits

Candidates are required to conduct a piece of independent research under supervision and to produce a report of the research for examination.

View full course details
Course code: 178897 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

View full course details
Course code: 178898 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

Corequisites: 178897

View full course details
Course code: 178899 Thesis 120 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Master of Business Studies (Economics) you will have been awarded or qualified for a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification, with a minimum B- grade average in the highest level courses.

If you have been awarded the Degree of Bachelor of Business Studies with Honours from Massey University, or the equivalent degree of another recognised university, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

Business studies equips students with the flexible and highly portable skills employers are looking for. With a Master of Business Studies, you will be prepared to take the next step in your career. Or you could join the world of business in a variety of dynamic roles, from financial accountant to marketing manager.

Greater earning potential

A 2017 Ministry of Education publication The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that in New Zealand:

  • young master’s graduates earn more than one and a half times more than the national median (five years after study)
  • earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed
  • five years after completion, the median earnings of young master’s graduates are 15% higher than for those with a bachelor’s degree.

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

Accreditations and rankings

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Massey Business School is rated in the top 5% of global business colleges by AACSB International.

Learn more

QS Ranking - Business Management Studies

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for business and management.

Learn more

QS Ranking - Economics and Econometrics

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for economics and econometrics.

Learn more

ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration

Massey University is ranked #2 in New Zealand for business administration by ShanghaiRanking.

Learn more

Related study options