Type of qualification
Level of 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.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Master of Business Administration – MBA
A flexible MBA designed especially for you
The Massey University Master of Business Administration (MBA) gives you the flexibility to design your studies to perfectly fit your interests and life.
Two study modes available for you
You can gain an MBA by studying either full-time for 1 year in Auckland, or you study part-time by distance (online) over a longer period of up to 5 years (most students will complete in about 2 years), giving you the flexibility to conveniently plan your study around your personal and professional needs.
The MBA online is designed for students working full-time allowing you to immediately apply your learnings at work.
Real world application
You will learn from superb teachers, many with decades of corporate work experience, subject matter experts and executives who join as guest speakers. You enjoy discussions of current-day management challenges and real-life business issues, from throughout New Zealand and worldwide. Your learning will also be informed by the most recent research and trends. You will be assessed through practical assignments that may be written, oral and/or via video. There are no examinations in the MBA.
Specialisations
We offer the choice of 3 specialisations, and you select 1 or none: Business Sustainability, Digital Transformation or Global Business. These give your MBA that extra competitive touch when you position yourself for new and exciting job prospects. The specialisations available to you depends on whether you study online or on-campus. You can also choose not to have a specialisation.
World-Class Online Learning
You'll have access to world-class online technology 24/7 and engaging learning methods. This includes online classes and team-meetings, along with forums and group-work. This allows you to network with and learn directly from your peers and faculty. Find out more on the Master of Business Administration page.
Insights
The QS World University Ranking by Subject ranks Massey in the top 400 universities worldwide in this subject area. Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023 ranks Massey in the top 300 universities globally
Our AMBA (Association of MBA’s) accreditation encourages our qualification to ensure students have:
- A positive impact on themselves, organisations, and society for the benefit of all stakeholders
- Understand and respond through sound business practices to the challenges facing the planet
- Lead themselves and others in the achievement of organisational goals within the context of sustainable development, contributing effectively to a diverse and inclusive team environment
- Think critically and make decisions with integrity based on complex information, understanding the overall impact of managerial decision-making
- Understand organisations and their stakeholders, and have an awareness of public policy and the regulatory environment
- Integrate functional knowledge and apply strategic management skills at a senior level in changing business environments
- Operate effectively and respectfully in cross-cultural settings
- Enhance their careers and commitment to lifelong learning
Related qualification: EMBA
If you have 7+ years full-time work experience (with 3 of those in management) and you are looking for executive face-to-face learning over 10 weekends in less than 2 years, consider our Executive MBA.
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study and live. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our high
international rankings, accreditations, and global associations. We are rated “5 star plus” by the QS World University Rankings.
In the Massey MBA we keep classes to small sizes, and our MBA teaching faculty have extensive international and local experiences. Our staff are very approachable and care about your career aspirations.
As an international student, there are immigration entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend you apply at least 3 months before your anticipated start date so that your MBA application and visa application can be processed in time. The Massey Business School has a Licensed Immigration Adviser on staff, so that you can get the most up-to-date information about your student visa and subsequent opportunities for work visa and residence.
Find out more:
A MBA is a good fit if you:
- have at least 3 years of relevant postgraduate practical work experience
- would like to study online at your own pace (MBA online), or
- would like to complete an MBA full-time in just 1 year.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
This is a selected entry qualification. This means there are several extra requirements you must meet.
To enter the Master of Business Administration you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for a relevant bachelor’s degree, having achieved at least a B- grade average in the highest level courses, or equivalent; and
- have completed at least 3 years of postgraduate full-time work; and
- have been selected into the qualification on the basis of selection process.
Application closing dates
There are 3 intakes each year.
First intake application closing date
- International students: 20 January 2025
- Domestic students: 17 February 2025
Second intake application closing date
- International students: 19 May 2025
- Domestic students: 16 June 2025
Third intake application closing date
- International students: 15 September 2025
- Domestic students: 13 October 2025
Documents you need to provide
With your application, you need to supply the following documentation:
- copies of official transcripts of all previous university and/or professional qualifications
- your CV showing at least 3 years’ work experience
- an application statement covering supplied questions (video or in writing)
- a passport-sized photo for identification purposes.
Application statement
Questions to address in your application statement (video or written):
- Compared with other choices you considered for your studies, what made you select Massey?
- Why have you chosen to do an MBA at this stage in your career?
- How will you draw on your unique skills and experiences to contribute to your cohort’s MBA experience?
- There will be group work during your studies. Tell us about the ways you have managed to perform in groups previously.
- The MBA will require substantial work in class and out of class. In the past, how have you managed your time to be effective?
- What are your career plans following your MBA graduation and how will the MBA help you achieve them?
Work experience
The work experience requirement ensures that you are able to contribute effectively to group discussions and participate from a position of experience and knowledge. This means that when you have less than the required 3 years’ work experience, we are unlikely to consider you for this MBA.
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.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
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 Administration
If you study full-time, you will take 180 credits over a period of 12 months.
If you study part-time, you can complete the MBA in 2 years or take up to 5 years.
This is a parts-based qualification. For progression to Part Two you must have achieved a B- grade average across the courses completed in Part One.
You may enrol in this qualification with or without a specialisation.
To complete a specialisation in the Master of Business Administration you must pass 60 credits in the specified area which includes 2 specialisation courses plus the Action Learning Project in that specialisation area.
The MBA must be completed within 5 years subject to any visa restrictions.
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
Completing without a specialisation
- Part One core courses – 90 credits
- Part One electives from the Part One Schedule – 30 credits
- Part Two core courses – 30 credits
- Part Two project – 30 credits
Completing with a specialisation
- Part One core courses – 90 credits
- Part One courses from specialisation list – 30 credits
- Part Two core courses – 30 credits
- Part Two project from a subject Schedule – 30 credits
Requires:
- Completion of Parts One and Two
- Compulsory courses
- An Action Learning project
- Attendance at contact courses, block courses, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials as required.
A specialisation (subject) is optional and requires 60 credits. Includes an Action Learning project (30 credits) in the subject.
There are regulations around completion of Part One before progressing to Part Two.
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.
Part One Core courses (Choose 90 credits from)
Course code: 115764 Leadership and Teamwork 15 credits
Applied and experiential study of leading and working in teams, and the interpersonal communication skills required to be successful.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115765 Managing People and Organisations 15 credits
Applied study of the behaviour and management of people and organisations in the contemporary business environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115766 Managing Financial Resources 15 credits
The study of corporate finance and accounting functions in business, including the analysis, sourcing, and use of funds in the pursuit of organisational goals.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115768 Marketing Analysis and Strategy 15 credits
A study of marketing strategies, practices and analytical methods, including a range of marketing tools, techniques and research methods.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115769 Business Economics 15 credits
Study of core micro- and macro-economic principles and how these can be used in a business environment to enable effective decision making.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115774 Operations and Supply Chain Management 15 credits
This course examines operations management functions and methods in pursuit of sustainable organisational effectiveness.
View full course detailsPart Two Core course selection (Choose 30 credits from)
Course code: 115810 Strategic Business in the Global Market 30 credits
This course includes guided field visits to international businesses. Students integrate and apply knowledge from diverse business functions to enhance their understanding of business models and value creation in global business.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115811 Strategic Complexities in International Business 30 credits
This course includes a self-initiated study of international businesses. Students integrate and apply knowledge from diverse business functions to enhance their understanding of business models and value creation in global business.
View full course detailsPart One Elective courses for candidates completing without a subject (Choose 30 credits from)
Course code: 115784 Balancing Innovation and Risk Management 15 credits
An applied and experiential study of the principles and practices that enable leaders to achieve the balance of innovation and risk management that enables resilient, sustainable businesses.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115791 Digital Transformation 15 credits
Applied study of the use of digital technology to solve business problems and exploit new business opportunities.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115792 Business Sustainability 15 credits
This course examines business practices that make organisations sustainable and resilient, with a particular focus on how to balance continuous innovation with good governance and risk management.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115793 Global Business 15 credits
A study of global trade practices and marketing strategies, including a range of trading tools, systems and techniques and their application to international marketing situations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115796 Designing Globally Competitive Products and Services 15 credits
An applied and experiential study of innovative products and service design to achieve differential advantages for trading in global markets.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115799 Digital Design and Disruption 15 credits
Applied and experiential study of how digital technologies have disrupted various industries and how businesses can design digitally based innovations to achieve competitive advantage.
View full course detailsPart Two Compulsory course for candidates completing without a subject (Choose 30 credits from)
Course code: 115812 Action Learning Project 30 credits
Supervised team-based project focused on deliverable improvement of practices in an existing business or development of a new business opportunity, drawing on knowledge from multiple business disciplines.
View full course detailsMaster of Business Administration 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.
Business Sustainability
With Massey’s Master of Business Administration MBA (Business Sustainability), you’ll develop leading-edge business skills that are closely connected to business practice including business risk and innovation management.
Digital Transformation
With the Master of Business Administration (Digital Transformation), you’ll develop leading-edge business skills that are closely connected to business practice. You are then competent to help businesses advance to a digitally-focused environment.
Global Business
Develop valuable business skills, closely connected to practice. With the Master of Business Administration MBA (Global Business), you will gain management competence to work in firms and organizations that are active globally as part of an international supply chain or those that recruit staff from overseas.
Without Specialisation
The Massey University Master of Business Administration (MBA) gives you the flexibility to design your studies to perfectly fit your interests.
Fees and scholarships
Master of Business Administration tuition fees
- The estimated domestic MBA online tuition fee for 2025 is approximately NZ$50,333 with an expected qualification completion within 2 years.
- The estimated domestic offshore MBA online tuition fee for 2025 is approximately NZ$43,768 with an expected qualification completion within 2 years.
- The estimated domestic MBA on-campus tuition fee for 2025 is approximately NZ$49,346 with an expected qualification completion within 12 months.
- The estimated onshore full-time international tuition fee for 2025 is approximately NZ$61,450 with an expected qualification completion within 12 months.
- The estimated offshore online international tuition fee for 2025 is approximately NZ$56,510 with an expected qualification completion within 2 years
The fees include ebooks and study materials.
The fees above do not include non-tuition fees and living costs. International students also need look at the international student insurance fees tab.
Please note that the total fees for the qualification are indicative only, as course fees can increase each year. The tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
Scholarships and award opportunities
Please note that the total fees for the qualification are indicative only, as course fees can increase each year.
You can find details of Student Services fee for on-campus and distance (online) courses on the non-tuition fees page. International students also need look at the international student insurance fees tab.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
Domestic students may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your tuition fees and non tuition fees.
If you have studied fewer than 60 credits previously, 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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
- Joe Walding Memorial Bursary
- Massey University Postgraduate Overseas Research Grant
- Yvonne A M Smith Charitable Trust Postgraduate Scholarship
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
No matter in which industry you have worked and which prior qualification you hold, the Massey Master of Business Administration MBA can help you progress into leadership and management roles quickly, and in many sectors, whether in private business, government or non-profit entities.
As a practically trained, globally competent MBA graduate, you are considered a generalist manager and can position yourself for leadership roles across the board in New Zealand or overseas
The MBA is specifically designed for emerging managers and leaders. who want to broaden their career opportunities by combining a specialist undergraduate degree with a broad and widely applicable MBA qualification. With its strong practical focus, the Massey MBA builds on your previous work experience and adds new relevant learnings you can instantly apply at work. This will be a tremendous advantage when you apply for management and leadership positions.
Massey Career Centre
Massey Career Centre is here to help you build the skills and knowledge you’ll need in your career. You can access our services online or in person, both while you study and after you graduate.
MBA alumni network
After you graduate from the MBA, we provide you access to our MBA alumni network for your professional networking and opportunities to pursue other life-long learning offerings which will assist you in keeping your currency as a manager and leader.
What our students say
“Since starting the MBA I have been promoted twice and have instituted meaningful change within my teams and the greater business.”
“Guest speakers help students not only to create meaningful learning connections but also offer real-world practical advice and tips that can go a long way – and of course they are also a primary ground for initiating a network in NZ!”
“Massey University’s MBA program has lived up to its promise of being an adaptable study experience in a comprehensive and structured setting.”
Accreditations and rankings
Association of MBAs (AMBA)
Massey's MBA programmes (MBA and EMBA) are accredited by the Association of MBAs
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Massey Business School is rated in the top 5% of global business colleges by AACSB International.
CEO magazine MBA ranking
This international magazine for executives ranked Massey's MBA in its top MBA qualifications for 2024.
QS Ranking – Accounting and Finance
Massey is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 250 universities for accounting and finance.
QS Ranking - Business Management Studies
Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 500 universities for business and management.
QS Ranking - Economics and Econometrics
Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for economics and econometrics.
QS Ranking - Communication and Media
Massey is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 150 universities for communication and media studies. QS is an organisation that ranks universities worldwide in various topics.
ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration
Massey University is ranked #2 in New Zealand for business administration by ShanghaiRanking.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz