Master of Business Studies – MBS

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

Type of qualification

Master's degree

Level of study

Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.

More about study levels

NZQF level 9

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

15-18 months full-time (180 credits)
Up to 5 years part-time
Part-time available

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

Study a Master of Business Studies – MBS

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 qualification will also develop your oral and written communication skills to the level expected of senior business leaders.

Insights

  • The 2021 Student Experience Survey results for this programme found that 80% of students found the assessment tasks challenged them to learn, and 94% highlight that the programme has given them excellent “research skills”.
  • The 2020 Graduate Destination Survey results for this programme found that 75% of graduates are in employment and 58% have continued in further study. A common job title for graduated students was “Strategic Projects Officer”. Respondents indicated that 64% were earning above the New Zealand median national salary.
  • Between 2018 and 2021 the average number of students enrolled in the programme was 116 (headcount) and across the whole programme, 88% of courses were successfully completed during 2020.
  • The QS World University Ranking by Subject ranks Massey in the top 350 universities worldwide in this subject area. Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 ranks Massey in the top 300 universities globally and 1st in New Zealand in this subject area.

Further study

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

A MBS is a good fit if you:

  • are interested in a postgraduate qualification with a research component
  • wish to progress your business career into a more senior level, or
  • would like to continue on to further study such as a PhD.

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 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.

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit. 

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

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

Maximum time limits for completion

There are time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications.  If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

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.

 

Structure of the Master of Business Studies

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.

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

180 credits

  • Part One compulsory and subject courses – 60‑120 credits
  • Part Two research – 60‑120 credits

Requires:

  • Completion of Part One and Two
  • Compulsory courses
  • Completion of a subject
  • At least 60 credits at 800 level

A specialisation (subject) is compulsory and requires 180 credits. Includes a 60‑credit research report, or a 90 or 120 credit thesis.

Advanced entry: Those who have already completed specified qualifications in advance of the minimum entry requirements and have been granted credit for it, may be able to complete this degree in 60 - 120 credits.

This is a parts-based qualification. This means there are regulations around your completion of Part One before progressing to Part Two, etc.

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.

Subjects

Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Completing a subject in the Master of Business Studies is compulsory. A subject requires 180 credits.

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 m

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 are 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.

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

ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration

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

Learn more