Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Global Business (MGB) is designed for students interested in international business, trade, sustainability and intercultural communication.
• The programme develops advanced academic inquiry, critical analysis, independent research and the ability to evaluate and improve business practices from sustainable-development perspectives.
• Students study concepts and methodologies from different disciplines, giving the programme an interdisciplinary approach to global business problems.
• The programme develops skills in identifying business problems or research questions, designing and conducting independent scholarly/applied research, and making recommendations to stakeholders.
• Study can be undertaken online or on campus, providing flexibility for eligible students.
• The programme can support progression into doctoral-level study after successful completion to a sufficiently high level, subject to the receiving institution's requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MGB has two major components: a study component and a research component. Students must complete at least four study-component papers, consisting of two compulsory papers and at least two electives, followed by one research-component paper.

Compulsory papers:

• Postgraduate Research Methods – 30 credits
• Resource Management – 30 credits

Elective papers:

• People, the Planet and Sustainability – 30 credits
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation – 30 credits
• Business, the Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility – 30 credits
• Science, the Environment and Policy Making – 30 credits
• Politics and Development – 30 credits
• Sustainability and Management Accounting – 30 credits
• International Human Resource Management – 30 credits
• Leadership, Communication and Change Management – 30 credits.

Research component:

Students complete one of the following:

• Executive Project Thesis – 60 credits
• Executive Thesis – 60 credits
• Research Project Thesis – 90 credits
• Research Thesis – 90 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The MGB does not list fixed named specialisations. Instead, students develop an interdisciplinary study profile through their elective choices.

Key areas include:

• International business
• Business strategy
• Sustainability
• Resource management
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Corporate social responsibility
• Environmental policy
• Politics and development
• Management accounting
• International human resource management
• Leadership
• Communication and change management
• Research and applied business research. 

Programme Highlights

• Master's-level qualification focused on global business.
• 180–240 credit programme structure.
• Indicative full-time duration of 18 months.
• Online and on-campus study options.
• Combination of interdisciplinary coursework and independent research.
• Strong emphasis on international business, sustainability and intercultural perspectives.
• Multiple elective options allow students to shape their academic focus.
• Research component provides preparation for higher-level academic or applied research.

Career Outcomes

IPU identifies the following general professional roles for MGB graduates:

• Executive
• Manager
• Specialist
• Supervisor
• Team Leader.

Potential employment areas include:

• Advertising and public relations
• Business development
• Communications
• Digital business and digital enterprise
• Education
• Financial and accounting
• Human resource management
• International relations
• Logistics and distribution
• Marketing
• Management
• Project management
• Public relations
• Research
• Sales or retail management.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current IPU programme page identifies the qualification as the Master of Global Business and states that it is available online and on campus.
• The supplied /programmes/mgb-1 URL currently contains a programme-status notice relating to the Master of Contemporary International Studies rather than the current MGB information. It states that MCIS is no longer accepting new enrolments and that existing MCIS students may complete their requirements by 2027.
• For a new MGB applicant, the current /programmes/mgb page should therefore be treated as the relevant programme source.
• Not all papers are offered every year.
• Applicants are expected to have appropriate academic essay-writing and research skills from their bachelor's study.
• International students must arrange appropriate travel/medical insurance and provide IPU with evidence of insurance before arrival in New Zealand.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student coming to New Zealand to study the MGB, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to the student's individual circumstances.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to satisfy requirements relating to:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Payment of tuition fees or evidence of an acceptable scholarship/funding arrangement.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses.
• Required health and character requirements.
• Appropriate insurance where required.
• Evidence relating to onward travel where applicable.
• Genuine intention to study and comply with visa conditions.

Current visa conditions include:

• Eligible students may work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during eligible holidays, depending on the conditions attached to their individual visa.
• The visa is normally issued for the period of study for which tuition has been paid, subject to passport validity and other conditions.
• A Fee Paying Student Visa can be issued for a maximum of four years.
• Immigration New Zealand strongly encourages international students to apply around three months before their intended travel date