Why Study / Key Benefits

• Massey’s Master of Analytics is designed to develop technical and practical capability in using data to solve real-world problems and support evidence-based decision-making.
• The programme covers statistics, data mining, econometrics, machine learning, data visualisation, programming and database-related skills.
• Students learn technologies including Python, R and SQL and apply them to analytics problems.
• The final applied analytics project involves working with an external organisation on a real-world analytics problem, providing substantial industry-oriented experience.
• Students receive the globally recognised SAS Academic Specialisation as part of the programme. Massey states that it was the first New Zealand university to offer the SAS Academic Specialisation.
• The qualification develops the ability to extract, process, analyse and communicate insights from large datasets while considering privacy and data security.
• Massey describes analytics graduates as being sought across professional services, government and other industry sectors. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme is divided into Part One and Part Two.

Part One – core compulsory courses:

• 158739 Data Mastery: Scripting, Databases and Data Privacy – 15 credits. Covers identifying analytics problems, finding and acquiring data, data preparation, programming for data processing and database retrieval, privacy, security, ethics and communication of results.
• 161762 Multivariate Analysis for Big Data – 15 credits. Covers analysis of large datasets with many variables, data visualisation, customer segmentation, factor analysis and latent class analysis.
• 161777 Practical Data Mining – 15 credits. Covers data preparation and exploration, supervised and unsupervised modelling, decision trees, neural networks, k-nearest neighbours, clustering, text mining and related analytics techniques.
• 178724 Applied Econometric Methods – 15 credits. Covers specification, estimation and validation of econometric models for analysis and forecasting.

Part One – specialist subject:

Students complete 60 credits in their chosen subject/specialisation. The current regulations recognise three approved subjects:

• Business
• Health
• Public Policy.

Part Two – Applied Analytics Project:

Students choose either:

• 115801 Applied Analytics Project – 60 credits; or
• 115802 Applied Analytics Project Part 1 – 30 credits, followed by
• 115803 Applied Analytics Project Part 2 – 30 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current Master of Analytics regulations list three approved subjects/specialisations:

• Business
• Health
• Public Policy.

Programme Highlights

• 180-credit NZQF Level 9 master's degree.
• 12–18 months full-time, with part-time study available.
• Designed around statistics, data mining, econometrics and practical analytics.
• Uses Python, R and SQL as part of the technical toolkit.
• Includes a substantial real-world applied analytics project.
• Requires at least 600 hours of approved practica and associated reports.
• Students receive the SAS Academic Specialisation/recognised SAS certification associated with the programme.
• Strong focus on data privacy, security, ethics and communication of analytical findings.
• Massey Business School is AACSB accredited; Massey states that it is rated in the top 5% of global business colleges by AACSB International.
• Massey states that it is ranked among the top 400 universities globally for Business and Management Studies by QS.
• Massey states that ShanghaiRanking places it at number 2 in New Zealand for Business Administration.

Career Outcomes

The programme is intended to prepare graduates for roles involving data analysis, analytics, data-driven decision-making and business intelligence.

Potential career areas include:

• Data analyst.
• Business analyst.
• Data scientist.
• Analytics consultant.
• Market research and customer analytics.
• Business intelligence.
• Data-driven strategy and decision support.
• Analytics roles in government.
• Professional services and consulting.
• Financial and insurance analytics.
• Health analytics.
• Public policy analytics.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current Master of Analytics remains open to international students studying on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• The current qualification requires a relevant academic background or the alternative pathway of a bachelor's degree plus at least two years of relevant professional experience.
• A background in statistical analysis tools is specifically required; this is an important additional requirement beyond simply holding a bachelor's degree.
• Applicants must provide a CV showing relevant experience with statistical software.
• Students must achieve a B- average across the Part One core compulsory courses to progress to Part Two.
• The programme is specifically structured around a Semester One start for the advertised 12-month completion pathway.
• The Applied Analytics Project is a substantial practical component rather than a conventional research thesis.
• The programme requires approved practica and associated reports totalling at least 600 hours.
• Students may be awarded the degree with Merit or Distinction where the relevant academic requirements are met.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the Master of Analytics 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.
• Enough funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Enough money for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Good health and character.
• A genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.