Why Study / Key Benefits

The MPA is particularly suitable for graduates who have a bachelor's degree in a non-accounting discipline and want to transition into professional accounting.

Key benefits include:

• Conversion qualification: students do not need a previous Commerce or Accounting degree.
• Develops accounting, finance, taxation, auditing, business law and information-systems knowledge.
• Includes applied independent research into the accounting profession.
• Develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills relevant to accounting and business.
• Provides preparation for professional accounting careers.
• Aligned with four major professional accounting bodies: CA ANZ, CPA Australia, ACCA and CIMA.
• Graduates can currently obtain provisional or associate-level pathways with relevant professional bodies, subject to each body's separate requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MPA consists of 12 compulsory courses, each worth 15 points, for a total of 180 points.

The current course structure is:

1. MBAZ601 – Accounting for Managers
2. MBAZ602 – Business Economics
3. MBAZ603 – Managerial Finance
4. MBAZ605 – Business Law
5. MBIS601 – Management of Information Systems
6. MPAC601 – Professional Accounting Principles
7. MPAC602 – Advanced Professional Accounting Principles
8. MPAC605 – Taxation
9. MPAC608 – Auditing
10. MPAC612 – Financial Accounting and Reporting
11. MPAC613 – Strategic Management Accounting
12. MPAC648 – Methodological and Empirical Aspects of Financial Accounting Research.

The programme therefore covers:

• Financial accounting
• Professional accounting
• Advanced accounting principles
• Management accounting
• Strategic management accounting
• Taxation
• Auditing
• Financial reporting
• Managerial finance
• Business economics
• Business law
• Information systems
• Accounting research methodology.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The MPA does not have majors, minors or formal specialisations.

The 2026 regulations explicitly state that there are no majors or minors for this qualification.

The programme is therefore a single professional accounting qualification covering multiple areas of accounting and business.

Programme Highlights

The main highlights of the MPA are:

• 180-point professional master's.
• 17-month full-time duration.
• February and July intakes.
• Conversion programme suitable for graduates from different academic backgrounds.
• No previous accounting or Commerce degree required.
• 12 compulsory courses.
• Strong combination of accounting and wider business subjects.
• Applied independent research component.
• Alignment with CA ANZ, CPA Australia, ACCA and CIMA.
• Preparation for professional accounting careers in New Zealand and internationally.
• Opportunity to pursue professional accounting membership after completing the additional requirements of the relevant professional body.

Career Outcomes

The MPA is designed to prepare graduates for accounting and related business roles.

Potential career areas include:

• Accountant
• Financial accountant
• Management accountant
• Taxation accountant
• Auditor
• Financial reporting roles
• Accounting analyst
• Business analyst
• Finance-related roles
• Accounting advisory
• Professional services
• Public-sector accounting
• Corporate accounting
• International accounting roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current 2026 regulations came into force on 1 January 2026.

Important current requirements and updates include:

• 180-point qualification.
• 12 compulsory courses.
• February and July intakes.
• Maximum qualification timeframe of 48 months.
• No majors or minors.
• Students can be withdrawn from the degree if they fail more than 30 points.
• The qualification may be awarded with Merit or Distinction, subject to UC regulations.
• Some courses have specific prerequisites.
• Some course delivery is campus-based, while MBAZ601 also has a UC Online occurrence in 2026.
• International students who do not meet the academic requirements may be considered for UC International Pre-Master's pathways.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally need a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa to study the MPA.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that the visa:

• Costs from NZ$850.
• Can be granted for up to 4 years.
• Has an 80% processing timeframe of 8 weeks.
• Requires an Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Requires sufficient funds for tuition or an acceptable scholarship.
• Requires sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable insurance.
• Requires applicants to meet health, character and genuine-intention requirements.