Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Communication 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 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 completing a Master of Business Studies, you could go on to a PhD.
A Master of Business Studies in Communication is a good fit if you:
- have completed a bachelor’s degree (or bachelor’s degree with honours) with good grades
- are interested in a postgraduate qualification with a research component
- wish to progress your career, or would like to pursue further study (e.g. a PhD).
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
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.
Part One
Compulsory course selection
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 156776 Research Methods in Marketing 30 credits
This is an advanced research methods course. It covers critical thinking in marketing research and provides an in depth understanding of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches to marketing research. It provides a detailed examination of research design, construct measurement, methods of data collection and methods for analysing data.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219790 Research Methods in Communication 30 credits
To introduce students to the research design principles of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, data collection procedures, analysis of data and interpretation of results, and writing the research report.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 219702 Management Communication 30 credits
This course examines the management of internal communication processes within organisations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219703 Perspectives in Business Communication 30 credits
An exploration of the theory and practice of workplace communication in diverse organisational settings. Theory is linked to practice through the analysis of contemporary case studies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219704 International and Intercultural Communication 30 credits
This course uses communication theory and research to explore ways of developing cross-cultural effectiveness, with an emphasis on communication in organisational settings.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219708 Political Communication 30 credits
This course is a critical and theoretical inquiry into the nature of contemporary political communication.
View full course detailsPart Two
Course code: 115890 90 Credit Thesis 90 credits
Candidates are required to conduct a piece of independent research under supervision and to produce a thesis for examination.
View full course detailsCourse code: 115891 Thesis 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 detailsCourse code: 115892 Thesis 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 detailsCourse code: 115894 Research Report 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 detailsCourse code: 115895 Research Report 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 detailsCourse code: 219887 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 detailsCourse code: 219897 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219898 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219899 Thesis 120 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsEntry 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 (Communication) 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.
Provide verified copies of all 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.
- 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
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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
- Joe Walding Memorial Bursary
- Lovell and Berys Clark Scholarships
- Massey University Master's Research 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
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 to join the world of business in a variety of dynamic roles, from financial accountant to marketing manager.
Sought after by employers
International trends are for employers to reward postgraduate study well, especially in larger enterprises. The skills you learn are increasingly recognised as setting you apart from other potential employees.
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
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC)
Massey’s Bachelor of Communication is the only degree outside the Americas and the Middle East to be recognised by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC).
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 350 universities for business and management.
QS Ranking - Communication and Media
Massey is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 100 universities for communication and media studies. QS is an organisation that ranks universities worldwide in various topics.
ShanghaiRanking - communication
Communication at Massey is ranked #1 in New Zealand, and in the top 150 universities in the world, by ShanghaiRanking.
ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration
Massey University is ranked #1 in New Zealand for business administration by ShanghaiRanking.
Related study options
Communication – Master of Management
The Master of Management (Communication) focuses on key skills that will increase your business knowledge, to help move your career in a new direction.
Communication Management – Bachelor of Communication
You’ll gain an understanding of the complexities, challenges, and rewards of interpersonal and organisational communication – you’ll be a communication specialist.
Diploma in Communication – DipC
Massey's Diploma in Communication will introduce you to a selection of disciplines in the communication field.
Expressive Arts and Media Studies – Bachelor of Communication
This unique degree is for those who love being creative, writing and the performing arts, but also want to discover how the media shape our identities and our world.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz