Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Business Studies (Management) combines advanced business theory with a substantial research component, making it suitable for students who want both specialist management knowledge and research capability.
• Students develop high-level research skills and learn how to apply research methods to business and management problems.
• The programme includes an independent research project that must be presented in a comprehensive written report or thesis.
• Study is focused on Management while also placing the subject within the wider business environment.
• Massey highlights development of advanced oral and written communication skills appropriate to senior business roles.
• Industry relationships can provide context and practical relevance to learning.
• The qualification can also provide a pathway to doctoral study, including a PhD.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Management specialisation is a 180-credit, parts-based master's programme.

Part One

A compulsory research-methods component is included:

• 152781 Advanced Research Methods in Business – 30 credits

This course covers research approaches to management and organisation theory, including reading and designing research and preparing research proposals.

Management subject courses currently listed include:

• 114722 Advanced Organisational Behaviour – 30 credits
  Examines applied psychology and sociology in organisations and the application of theory to contemporary organisational situations.
• 152700 Organisation and Management – 30 credits
  Examines theories of management and their application within organisations.
• 152702 Advanced Strategic Management – 30 credits
  Covers advanced strategic planning, policy formulation and implementation.
• 152704 Business and Sustainability – 30 credits
  Examines relationships between business, the natural environment and social/environmental sustainability, including implications for business policy and management.
• 152707 Leading and Changing Organisations – 30 credits
  Focuses on practices, methods and frameworks for organisational leadership and change.
• 152724 Advanced Services Management – 30 credits
  Examines services-management theory, principles and contemporary research.
• 152725 Building Export and Import Businesses – 30 credits
  Covers knowledge and skills needed to manage import/export businesses and international trade.
• 152726 Growing Multinational Enterprises – 30 credits
  Focuses on strategies and implementation challenges associated with foreign direct investment.
• 152727 Managing Multinational Enterprises – 30 credits
  Examines management challenges in internationally expanded firms, including individuals, cross-cultural teams, subsidiaries and host-country relationships.
• 152728 Business Ethics and Responsible Management – 30 credits
  Covers business ethics, social responsibility, stakeholder management and responsible management.
• 152730 Advanced Contemporary Issues in Sustainability – 30 credits
  Covers sustainability strategy, sustainable supply chains, sustainable operations, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ethical trade.
• 152742 Health Systems Management – 30 credits
  Compares and analyses healthcare systems from a management perspective.
• 152743 Health Law and Policy – 30 credits
  Examines the relationship between health law and health policy and practical healthcare dilemmas.
• 152746 Contemporary Issues in Health Service Management – 30 credits
  Examines issues affecting efficient and effective health-service delivery.
• 152752 Project Management – 30 credits
  Covers theories and methods used in project management.
• 157701 Health Information Management – 30 credits
  Focuses on management of information and information systems relevant to healthcare.
• 157749 Technology Innovation Management – 30 credits
  Focuses on identifying and developing innovative opportunities within the technology sector.

Part Two – Research

Students select an approved research route. Current options include:

• 115894 + 115895 Research Report, 60 credits in total
• 152802 + 152803 Thesis, 90 credits in total
• 152804 + 152805 Thesis, 120 credits in total
• 152896 Research Report, 60 credits

Disciplines / Specialisations

Management is one of the subjects available within the Master of Business Studies.

The current MBS subjects are:

• Accountancy
• Banking
• Communication
• Economics
• Finance
• Human Resource Management
• Management
• Marketing

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 9 master's qualification.
• 180-credit programme.
• 15–18 months full-time.
• Management specialisation with an integrated research component.
• Auckland campus and distance/online study options.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• Research can be completed through a research report or thesis pathway.
• Students can progress to PhD study after successful completion.
• Massey Business School states that it is rated in the top 5% of global business colleges by AACSB International.
• Massey states that its Business Management subject area is ranked within the global top 400 by QS, while ShanghaiRanking places Massey at number 2 in New Zealand for Business Administration. These are university-reported rankings and should be treated as ranking-period-specific rather than permanent rankings.
• The university's programme-level historical data reports that 94% of surveyed students in the 2021 Student Experience Survey highlighted the qualification's development of excellent research skills. The graduate data cited on the current page is from the 2020 Graduate Destination Survey, so it should not be interpreted as a current 2026 employment statistic.

Career Outcomes

The MBS is designed to help graduates progress into more senior business and management positions and develop advanced research capability. Massey describes business studies graduates as having flexible and portable skills applicable across different industries.

Potential career directions for a Management graduate can include:

• Management and business management
• Strategic projects
• Organisational management
• Strategic planning
• Project management
• Business consulting
• Organisational development
• Change management
• International business management
• Services management
• Sustainability management
• Research and policy-related business roles
• Management-level roles across private, public and not-for-profit organisations

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current qualification is 180 credits and normally takes 15–18 months full-time.
• Progression from Part One to Part Two requires at least a B- average across the first 60 credits, including compulsory courses.
• A relevant bachelor's degree with at least a B- average in the highest-level courses is required.
• Official transcripts from universities other than Massey must be supplied.
• At least 60 credits must be at 800 level.
• A research report or thesis is compulsory as part of the MBS structure.
• Course restrictions, prerequisites and research-appraisal requirements apply to some course combinations.
• Advanced entry may be possible for applicants with specified prior qualifications and approved credit.
• International students studying physically in New Zealand need the appropriate student visa.
• Students studying entirely online from outside New Zealand do not normally need a New Zealand student visa simply to undertake offshore online study.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the MBS in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or evidence of a scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical/travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• A genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.
• Students already holding a student visa must generally demonstrate satisfactory progress and meet attendance requirements where applicable.