Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Commerce and Management at Lincoln University is a research-focused master's programme designed for students who want advanced knowledge of commerce and management and the ability to investigate a substantial business or management research question. Lincoln highlights management, organisational behaviour, marketing, finance, accounting and economics as key areas within the degree.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced knowledge of modern commerce and management.
• Strong development of research, analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Opportunity to study the theory as well as practical application of management and business concepts.
• Research experience relevant to business, government and other organisations.
• Opportunity to investigate a topic relevant to the student's professional or academic interests.
• Preparation for research-oriented professional roles and further doctoral study.
• Flexibility to construct a programme from approved postgraduate commerce courses.
• Lincoln's specialist land-based environment provides opportunities to explore commerce and management issues connected with agriculture, natural resources, food, tourism and other sectors.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The 240-credit Master's normally consists of:

Year 1:

• 120 credits of approved taught postgraduate commerce courses.
• Preliminary research preparation.

Research component:

• 120-credit thesis.

The thesis is the major independent research component of the programme.

Lincoln's current programme information states that students select at least 120 credits with Academic Board approval. The normal structure includes:

• QMET615.
• ECON615.
• Four additional courses selected from the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) schedule.

The exact course selection should be approved so that it forms a coherent programme supporting the student's research topic.

Potential academic areas include:

• Management
• Organisational behaviour
• Marketing
• Finance
• Accounting
• Economics
• Business research
• Quantitative methods
• Commerce and management-related interdisciplinary topics

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme does not list separate named majors or formal specialisations on the current programme page.

Students can develop their academic focus through their approved course selection and thesis topic.

Possible areas of research include:

• Management
• Organisational behaviour
• Marketing
• Finance
• Accounting
• Economics
• Business strategy
• Quantitative methods
• Consumer behaviour
• Financial and economic analysis
• Commerce-related research

Programme Highlights

• Level 9 postgraduate qualification.
• Research-oriented Master of Commerce and Management.
• 240-credit standard pathway.
• 120-credit thesis component.
• 120-credit thesis-only pathway for suitably qualified postgraduate applicants.
• Normally 2 years full-time for the 240-credit pathway.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry.
• Advanced study in commerce and management.
• Strong emphasis on independent research.
• Flexible selection of approved commerce courses.
• Potential pathway to doctoral research.
• Research topics can address contemporary organisational and business issues.

Career Outcomes

The programme can prepare graduates for advanced analytical, research and management-related careers in areas such as:

• Business management
• Management consulting
• Marketing
• Finance
• Accounting
• Economics
• Business research
• Policy and analysis
• Government and public-sector organisations
• Corporate strategy
• Organisational development
• Research institutions
• Universities and other academic organisations

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current official Lincoln programme page confirms:

• 240-credit Master’s: relevant Level 7 bachelor's degree or recognised equivalent with a B average or better in the 300-level and final-year full-time-equivalent courses.
• 120-credit thesis-only Master's: relevant postgraduate honours degree with Second Class Honours, Division One equivalent or higher.
• 120 taught credits plus a 120-credit thesis for the standard pathway.
• Other thesis-only starting dates may be possible subject to supervisor availability.
• 2026 international fee estimate: NZ$35,000 per 120 credits.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students must hold a current and valid New Zealand visa permitting study at Lincoln University.

For a new international student, Lincoln states that the Student Visa application requires:

• Offer of Place from Lincoln University.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, normally a fee receipt.
• Passport.
• Digital photograph.
• Proof of funds for living expenses of NZ$20,000 per year.
• Evidence of funds for travel to the home country at the end of study, or an air ticket to the home country.
• Visa application fee.

Immigration New Zealand may additionally request:

• Medical certificates or a chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Additional information depending on the applicant's circumstances.