Management – Master of Business Studies

Gain in-depth specialist business and management skills that will take your career to the next level.

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 Management 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 programme of study. 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 utilise our relationships with industry and 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 successfully completing a Master of Business Studies, you could go on to a PhD.

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

  • have completed a bachelor’s degree (or bachelor’s degree with honours) with good grades
  • wish to progress your business career into a more senior level
  • would like to continue on to further study such as 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

Management courses

Part One

Compulsory course selection

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 152781 Advanced Research Methods in Business 30 credits

Research approaches to management and organisation theory. Includes reading and designing research in these areas up to the preparation of research proposals.

Restrictions: 156776, 219790

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Subject courses

Course code: 114722 Advanced Organisational Behaviour 30 credits

This course is an examination of applied psychology and sociology in the context of organisations. The content is based on a foundation of theory which students are expected to critically analyse. The course is designed so that students apply the theory to modern organisational situations.

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Course code: 152700 Organisation and Management 30 credits

A study of the theories of management and their application within organisations.

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Course code: 152702 Advanced Strategic Management 30 credits

An advanced study of the systems and techniques of strategic planning, policy formulation and implementation.

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Course code: 152704 Business and Sustainability 30 credits

An analysis of the relationships between the business community, the natural environment, and social and environmental sustainability. The course examines global debates on social and environmental issues, introduces theories of sustainability, and considers the implications of sustainability for business policy and management.

Restrictions: 115783

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Course code: 152707 Leading and Changing Organisations 30 credits

A study of the practices, methods and frameworks for leading and changing organisations.

Restrictions: 152709, 152705

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Course code: 152724 Advanced Services Management 30 credits

Focusing on the theory and principles of services management, this course critically reviews current services management research and analyses the issues for managers in adopting a service logic for their organisations.

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Course code: 152725 Building Export and Import Businesses 30 credits

Focuses on the first stage of international expansion by providing an introduction to the knowledge and skills required for managing import and export businesses and conducting international trade.

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Course code: 152726 Growing Multinational Enterprises 30 credits

Focuses on strategies and implementation challenges of foreign direct investment projects.

Prerequisites: 152725 or Appraisal Required

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Course code: 152727 Managing Multinational Enterprises 30 credits

An examination of management challenges commonly faced by firms that have already expanded internationally, addressing four different levels of internal organisational analysis: the individual, the cross-cultural project team, organisational units such as subsidiaries, and the relationship between the multinational organisation and its host country societies.

Prerequisites: 152725 or Appraisal Required

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Course code: 152728 Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility 30 credits

An advanced critique of the concepts of corporate social responsibility (CSR), business ethics, stakeholder management, and their implications for the management of business organisations.

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Course code: 152730 Advanced Contemporary Issues in Sustainability 30 credits

Students will critique the business case for sustainability and develop holistic sustainability strategies to address contemporary economic, ethical, environmental, and social concerns for business, including those relating to sustainable supply chain management, sustainable operations management, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and ethical trade.

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Course code: 152731 Innovation and New Ventures 30 credits

A study of the theory and practice of innovation with special reference to the small business sector. The course will examine the dimensions of innovation and entrepreneurship with emphasis on the entrepreneur's contribution to existing organisations and new ventures.

Restrictions: 26441, 52731

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Course code: 152742 Health Systems Management 30 credits

The health care systems of New Zealand and selected nations are compared and critically analysed from a management perspective.

Restrictions: 250742

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Course code: 152743 Health Law and Policy 30 credits

The interrelationship between health law and health policy is examined with an emphasis on practical health care dilemmas.

Restrictions: 250743

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Course code: 152746 Contemporary Issues in Health Service Management 30 credits

Issues relevant to the efficient and effective delivery of health services are identified and examined.

Restrictions: 250746

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Course code: 152752 Project Management 30 credits

A comprehensive study of the theory and methods employed in project management.

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Course code: 157701 Health Information Management 30 credits

A study of the management of information and information systems relevant to the planning and delivery of high-quality healthcare.

Restrictions: 157711, 157733, 158759

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Course code: 157748 Advanced Management, Analytics, and Decision Making 30 credits

A comprehensive study of the techniques and issues involved in using data to support organisational decision making.

Restrictions: 157216

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Course code: 157749 Technology Innovation Management 30 credits

Initiate and develop innovative opportunities within the technology sector.

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Part Two

Choose at least 60 credits from
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.

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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.

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Course code: 152800 Thesis 120 credits

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

Prerequisites: 152781 and Appraisal Required

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Course code: 152801 Thesis 90 credits

An original piece of work that focuses on a significant issue in the Management discipline. Candidates will demonstrate an ability to formulate research questions and clearly answer them through the effective design of an investigation and the presentation of the research findings in a manner that is acceptable in the academic community.

Prerequisites: 152781 and Appraisal Required

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Course code: 152802 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 45 credits

An original piece of work that focuses on a significant issue in the Management discipline. Candidates will demonstrate an ability to formulate research questions and clearly answer them through the effective design of an investigation and the presentation of the research findings in a manner that is acceptable in the academic community.

Prerequisites: 152781 and Appraisal Required

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Course code: 152803 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 45 credits

An original piece of work that focuses on a significant issue in the Management discipline. Candidates will demonstrate an ability to formulate research questions and clearly answer them through the effective design of an investigation and the presentation of the research findings in a manner that is acceptable in the academic community.

Prerequisites: 152781 and Appraisal Required Corequisites: 152802

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Course code: 152804 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits

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

Prerequisites: 152781 and Appraisal Required

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Course code: 152805 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits

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

Prerequisites: 152781 and Appraisal Required Corequisites: 152804

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Course code: 152896 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.

Prerequisites: 152781 or 156776 or 168711 or 219790

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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 (Management) 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.

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QS Ranking - Business Management Studies

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

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ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration

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

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