Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
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.
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 credits 30
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 credits 30
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 credits 30
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: 114722 Advanced Organisational Behaviour credits 30
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152700 Organisation and Management credits 30
A study of the theories of management and their application within organisations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152702 Advanced Strategic Management credits 30
An advanced study of the systems and techniques of strategic planning, policy formulation and implementation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152704 Business and Sustainability credits 30
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152707 Leading and Changing Organisations credits 30
A study of the practices, methods and frameworks for leading and changing organisations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152724 Advanced Services Management credits 30
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152725 Building Export and Import Businesses credits 30
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152726 Growing Multinational Enterprises credits 30
Focuses on strategies and implementation challenges of foreign direct investment projects.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152727 Managing Multinational Enterprises credits 30
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152728 Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility credits 30
An advanced critique of the concepts of corporate social responsibility (CSR), business ethics, stakeholder management, and their implications for the management of business organisations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152730 Advanced Contemporary Issues in Sustainability credits 30
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152731 Innovation and New Ventures credits 30
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152732 Issues in Entrepreneurship credits 30
An advanced study of entrepreneurship including the analysis of trends and issues relating to the entrepreneurial process. A range of topics are offered to allow some customisation of the course to the particular educational and research interests of students.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152742 Health Systems Management credits 30
The health care systems of New Zealand and selected nations are compared and critically analysed from a management perspective.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152743 Health Law and Policy credits 30
The interrelationship between health law and health policy is examined with an emphasis on practical health care dilemmas.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152746 Contemporary Issues in Health Service Management credits 30
Issues relevant to the efficient and effective delivery of health services are identified and examined.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152752 Project Management credits 30
A comprehensive study of the theory and methods employed in project management.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152768 Managing Knowledge credits 30
An advanced exploration of the challenges of managing knowledge and knowledge work, for the purpose of producing more effective managers and team members in knowledge-intensive work environments. The role of computerized "knowledge management" systems, and the relationship between people and technology which constitute special challenges to managing in such environments will be considered.
View full course detailsCourse code: 157701 Health Information Management credits 30
A study of the management of information and information systems relevant to the planning and delivery of high-quality healthcare.
View full course detailsCourse code: 157748 Advanced Management, Analytics, and Decision Making credits 30
A comprehensive study of the techniques and issues involved in using data to support organisational decision making.
View full course detailsCourse code: 157749 Technology Innovation Management credits 30
Initiate and develop innovative opportunities within the technology sector.
View full course detailsPart Two
Course code: 115894 Research Report Part 1 credits 30
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 credits 30
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: 152800 Thesis credits 120
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152801 Thesis credits 90
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152802 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 credits 45
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152803 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 credits 45
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152804 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 credits 60
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152805 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 credits 60
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152896 Research Report credits 60
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 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 (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, or the equivalent degree of another recognised university, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification in accordance with the limits specified in the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations.
You will need to 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
Find more scholarships and awardsFees 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.

QS Ranking - Business Management Studies
Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for business and management.
Related study options
Bachelor of Aviation Management – BAvMan
If you are passionate about aviation and are interested in the broader picture of the aviation industry, this is the degree for you.
Disaster Management – Master of Sustainable Development Goals
Massey’s Master of Sustainable Development Goals (Disaster Management) will give you an advanced grounding in the theory, practice, and application of the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to disaster management.
Emergency Management – Diploma in Arts
Gain useful skills in disaster prevention and management with Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Emergency Management).
Management – Bachelor of Business
Become a manager or entrepreneur that empowers others and makes a real difference to the future.
Management – Master of Management
Massey’s Master of Management will increase your business knowledge to help move your career in a new direction. You don’t have to have a qualification in business to undertake this master’s.
Useful planning information

Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz