- Where you can study
-
Auckland campus
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International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Open to international students on campus in New Zealand
- Note:
- Note: Three intakes per year (March, July, November). Selected entry qualification.
Specialise in Business Sustainability for your Master of Business Administration at Massey
The MBA (Business Sustainability) is about building businesses that last and organisations that remain resilient in a rapidly changing world.
Driven by customer demand, stakeholder pressure, environmental concerns, regulation, or profitability, organisations are investing heavily in sustainability. This specialisation equips you to:
- Develop governance structures that support sustainability
- Lead the identification and implementation of innovative, sustainable practices
- Manage risk while leveraging sustainable products and services.
You’ll connect with businesses and experts who have both succeeded in and overcome challenges around sustainability. The programme covers both strategic and operational approaches to building sustainable enterprises.
You will complete a management project with a firm in New Zealand. Successful project outcomes can boost your employability and give you valuable experience to showcase in interviews.
There are two specialisation courses for Business Sustainability:
- 115792 – Business Sustainability explores how organisations build resilience and sustainability to turn threats into opportunities and achieve long-term success. You’ll examine resilience in culture, crisis response, and sustainability as a competitive advantage, including the circular economy and practical frameworks. Case studies and analysis provide tools to measure outcomes and lead future-ready strategies.
- 1157984 – Balancing Innovation and Risk Management explores why great companies fail, examining internal and external factors alongside practical risk management tools. It then focuses on managing disruptive innovation through organisational structures, market orientation, and new product development, concluding with a case study that integrates all key learnings.
- Register your interest
Insights
Massey’s business qualifications are internationally recognised:
- Top 300 globally – Shanghai Ranking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024
- AACSB ranks Massey in the top 5% of business schools in the world
- Accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA)
AMBA accreditation is recognised by employers and industry as a mark of quality and excellence.
Your Massey MBA will help you to:
- make a meaningful impact on business and society
- think critically and lead with integrity in a global, diverse environment
- master cross-functional and strategic decision-making
- stay career-ready and committed to lifelong learning.
Related qualification: EMBA
If you have 7+ years’ full-time work experience (including 3 years in management) and prefer face-to-face weekend study, consider our Executive MBA, completed in less than 2 years.
A Master of Business Administration in Business Sustainability is a good fit if you:
- Have at least 3 years of relevant postgraduate work experience
- Are ready to fast-track your degree with a full-time MBA in just one year
- Are interested in creating sustainable enterprises.
Planning information
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take 180 credits over a period of 12 months or 60 credits in each of semesters 1 and 2, and 60 credits in Summer School.
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.
To complete the Business Sustainability specialisation you must pass 60 credits in Business Sustainability which includes 2 courses (15 credits each) plus the Action Learning Project (30 credits) in Business Sustainability.
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 be 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
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 Administration
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Master of Business Administration core courses
Business Sustainability courses
Part One Subject courses
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: 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 detailsPart Two Subject course
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 detailsEntry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
The MBA has selected entry. To apply you’ll need to:
- 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
- have completed at least 3 years of relevant postgraduate practical work experience
- have been selected into the qualification on the basis of selection process which may include a written application, references and practical exercises.
Application closing dates
There are 3 intakes each year.
Third intake application closing date for 2025
- International students: 15 September 2025
- Domestic students: 13 October 2025
First intake application closing date for 2026
- International students: 15 December 2026
- Domestic students: 23 February 2026
Second intake application closing date for 2026
- International students: 27 April 2026
- Domestic students: 22 June 2026
Documents you need to provide
You need to supply with your application the following documentation:
- copies of official transcripts of all previous university and/or professional qualifications
- a full CV showing at least 3 years of work experience
- an application statement covering supplied questions
- a passport-sized photo for identification purposes.
Application statement
Questions to address in your application personal statement:
- 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 can contribute effectively and participate from a position of experience and knowledge. This means that when you have fewer than the required 3 years of 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.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
Master of Business Administration tuition fees
Tuition fees vary depending on the mode of study.
Indicative 2026 MBA tuition fees
- 2026 Domestic on-campus: NZ$52,300 (12 months)
- 2026 International full-time (onshore): NZ$65,150 (12 months)
Fees include eBooks and study materials but exclude non-tuition fees.
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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
Domestic students 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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free – Inland Revenue
Scholarship and award opportunities
- Massey Business School Promising Student Assistance Bursary
- New Zealand Institute of Management Foundation 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
Careers and job opportunities
No matter which industry you have worked in and which prior qualification you hold, the MBA can help you progress into leadership and management roles quickly, and in many sectors, whether in private business, government or non-profit entities.
The Massey MBA builds on your work experience, adding new insights you can apply immediately giving you a strong advantage when competing for management and leadership positions in New Zealand or internationally.
An MBA with a focus on business sustainability positions you for roles that combine traditional business skills with expertise in this area. Employers are increasingly looking for managers who can link profitability with responsible practice, especially in sectors where sustainability is both a regulatory requirement and a market differentiator.
Massey Career Centre
The Massey Career Centre supports you during study and after graduation. Access online and in-person services to build career skills, confidence, and networks.
MBA alumni network
Stay connected. Our Massey and MBA alumni network gives you exclusive access to professional events, networking opportunities, and continued learning—helping you stay at the forefront of business leadership throughout your career.
International students
International students
New Zealand offers a supportive and welcoming environment for international students. Massey is rated 5-Star Plus by QS World University Rankings and is known for approachable staff, small classes, and faculty who bring industry expertise to their teaching.
Upon completion of your MBA study, you can apply for a 3-year post study work visa (conditions apply).
Important for international students on campus:
- Apply at least 3 months before your start date to allow for admissions and visas
- Massey has a Licensed Immigration Adviser service for those without an agent
- Learn about studying at Massey as an international student
- Check entry requirements for international students
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.
QS Ranking - Business Management Studies
Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 500 universities for business and management.
ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration
Massey University is ranked #2 in New Zealand for business administration by ShanghaiRanking.
CEO magazine MBA ranking
This international magazine for executives ranked Massey's MBA in its top MBA qualifications for 2025.
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