Overview
If you’re an aspiring business leader looking to advance your business or academic career, then the Master of Business could be for you. Offered by the Otago Business School – New Zealand's top research business school – this programme will equip you with the practical skills and real-world experience to tackle business challenges.
You’ll be taught by experienced academic staff who are leaders in their fields and have strong ties with industry partners, providing opportunities for internships, networking, and career advancement.
With three different study paths available, and the option to specialise in various subjects, the Master of Business allows you to tailor your studies to meet your specific career goals. You can complete your degree by either undertaking an independent study (project or dissertation) alongside taught papers, or enrolling in a series of taught papers (coursework only).
The project and coursework options are ideal if you’re seeking to advance your professional career, while the dissertation option serves as a qualification for entry into doctoral-level study.
MBus subject areas
The standard admission requirement is a bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade of B (Otago equivalent), though some subjects (Accounting and Finance, Economics, Finance, and Philosophy, Politics and Economics) require more specific backgrounds.
Requirements
Master of Business (MBus) in Accounting and Finance
The Master of Business in Accounting and Finance will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|
| Dissertation | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 590 Dissertation
|
60
|
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 80 points from the following list, including at least one ACCT and one FINC paper: |
80
|
| ACCT 504, ACCT 510, ACCT 514, ACCT 599, ACFI 525, BSNS 413, FINC 502, FINC 503, FINC 505, FINC 510, FINC 511, FINC 512, FINC 520, FINC 544, FINC 598, FINC 599
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Project | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 580 Applied Project
|
40
|
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points from the following list, including at least one ACCT and one FINC paper: |
100
|
| ACCT 504, ACCT 510, ACCT 514, ACCT 599, ACFI 525, BSNS 413,
FINC 502
, FINC 503 , FINC 505, FINC 510, FINC 511, FINC 512, FINC 520,
FINC 544
, FINC 598, FINC 599 | |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Coursework | Compulsory papers: |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 140 points from: |
140
|
| ACCT 504, ACCT 510, ACCT 514, ACCT 599, ACFI 525, BSNS 413,
FINC 502
, FINC 503 , FINC 505, FINC 510, FINC 511, FINC 512, FINC 520,
FINC 544
, FINC 598, FINC 599 | |
| |
Total
|
180 |
Master of Business (MBus) in Economics
The Master of Business in Economics will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|
| Dissertation | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 590 Dissertation
|
60
|
| ECON 410 Advanced Microeconomic Theory
|
20
|
| ECON 411 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
|
20
|
| and one of ECON 412 Macroeconometrics or ECON 413 Microeconometrics
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 40 points from: |
40
|
| ECON 412, ECON 413, ECON 502, ECON 503, ECON 505, ECON 506,
ECON 507 | |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Project | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 580 Applied Project
|
40
|
| ECON 410 Advanced Microeconomic Theory
|
20
|
| ECON 411 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
|
20
|
| and one of ECON 412 Macroeconometrics or ECON 413 Microeconometrics
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 60 points from: |
60
|
| ECON 412, ECON 413, ECON 502, ECON 503, ECON 505, ECON 506,
ECON 507 | |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Coursework | Compulsory papers: |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| ECON 410 Advanced Microeconomic Theory
|
20
|
| ECON 411 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
|
20
|
| and one of ECON 412 Macroeconometrics or ECON 413 Microeconometrics
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points from: |
100
|
| ECON 412, ECON 413, ECON 502, ECON 503, ECON 505, ECON 506, ECON 507
| |
| |
Total
|
180 |
Master of Business (MBus) in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Master of Business in Entrepreneurship and Innovation will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|
| Dissertation | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 590 Dissertation
|
60
|
| ENTR 411 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
|
20
|
| ENTR 421 Technology and Entrepreneurship
|
20
|
| MANT 551 Strategic Change and Innovation
|
20
|
| MART 449 Creative Marketing for Behaviour Change, Sustainability and Social Good
|
20
|
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Project | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 580 Applied Project
|
40
|
| ENTR 411 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
|
20
|
| ENTR 421 Technology and Entrepreneurship
|
20
|
| MANT 551 Strategic Change and Innovation
|
20
|
| MART 449 Creative Marketing for Behaviour Change, Sustainability and Social Good
|
20
|
| Plus other approved papers at 400-level or higher to the equivalent of 20 points. |
20
|
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Coursework | Compulsory papers: |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| ENTR 411 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
|
20
|
| ENTR 421 Technology and Entrepreneurship
|
20
|
| MANT 551 Strategic Change and Innovation
|
20
|
| MART 449 Creative Marketing for Behaviour Change, Sustainability and Social Good
|
20
|
| Plus other approved papers at 400-level or higher to the equivalent of 60 points, including a minimum of 20 points at 500-level. |
60
|
| |
Total
|
180 |
Master of Business (MBus) in Finance
The Master of Business in Finance will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|
| Dissertation | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 590 Dissertation
|
60
|
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 80 points from: |
80
|
| ACFI 525, BSNS 413, FINC 502, FINC 503, FINC 505, FINC 510,
FINC 511
, FINC 512, FINC 520, FINC 544, FINC 598, FINC 599
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Project | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 580 Applied Project
|
40
|
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points from: |
100
|
| ACFI 525, BSNS 413, FINC 502, FINC 503, FINC 505, FINC 510,
FINC 511
, FINC 512, FINC 520, FINC 544, FINC 598, FINC 599
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Coursework | Compulsory papers: |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 140 points from: |
140
|
| ACFI 525, BSNS 413, FINC 502, FINC 503, FINC 505, FINC 510,
FINC 511
, FINC 512, FINC 520, FINC 544, FINC 598, FINC 599
| |
| |
Total
|
180 |
Master of Business (MBus) in International Business
The Master of Business in International Business will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|
| Dissertation | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 590 Dissertation
|
60
|
| MANT 471 International Business Strategy
|
20
|
| MANT 472 Managing International Organisations
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 40 points from: |
40
|
| 400 and 500 level papers in MANT (excluding MANT 480), ENTR 411, ENTR 421
, FINC 510 , TOUR 511, TOUR 522, TOUR 527
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Project | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 580 Applied Project
|
40
|
| MANT 471 International Business Strategy
|
20
|
| MANT 472 Managing International Organisations
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 60 points from: |
60
|
| 400 and 500 level papers in MANT (excluding MANT 480), ENTR 411, ENTR 421
, FINC 510 , TOUR 511, TOUR 522, TOUR 527 | |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Coursework | Compulsory papers: |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| MANT 471 International Business Strategy
|
20
|
| MANT 472 Managing International Organisations
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points, including a minimum of 40 points at 500-level, from: |
100
|
| 400 and 500 level papers in MANT (excluding MANT 480), ENTR 411,
ENTR 421
, FINC 510 , TOUR 511, TOUR 522, TOUR 527 | |
| |
Total
|
180 |
Master of Business (MBus) in Leadership and Management
The Master of Business in Leadership and Management will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|
| Dissertation
| Compulsory papers:
| |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 590 Dissertation
|
60
|
|
One of MANT 551 Strategic Change and Innovation or MANT 556 Operations Excellence
|
20
|
|
One of MANT 553 Human Resource Management or MANT 555 Leadership Development
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 40 points from:
|
40
|
| 400 and 500 level papers in MANT (excluding MANT 480)
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Project
| Compulsory papers:
| |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 580 Applied Project
|
40
|
|
One of MANT 551 Strategic Change and Innovation or MANT 556 Operations Excellence
|
20
|
|
One of MANT 553 Human Resource Management or MANT 555 Leadership Development
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 60 points from:
|
60
|
| 400 and 500 level papers in MANT (excluding MANT 480)
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Coursework
| Compulsory papers:
|
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
|
One of MANT 551 Strategic Change and Innovation or MANT 556 Operations Excellence
|
20
|
|
One of MANT 553 Human Resource Management or MANT 555 Leadership Development
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points from:
|
100
|
| 400 and 500 level papers in MANT (excluding MANT 480)
| |
| |
Total
|
180 |
Master of Business (MBus) in Marketing
The Master of Business in Marketing will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|
| Dissertation
| Compulsory papers:
| |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 590 Dissertation
|
60
|
| MART 461 Marketing Theory
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 60 points from:
|
60
|
| MART 449, MART 548, MART 563, MART 564, MART 566, MART 567,
MART 568
, MART 569, MART 570, MART 574
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Project
| Compulsory papers:
| |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 580 Applied Project
|
40
|
| MART 461 Marketing Theory
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 80 points from:
|
80
|
| MART 449, MART 548, MART 563, MART 564, MART 566, MART 567,
MART 568
, MART 569, MART 570, MART 574
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Coursework
| Compulsory papers:
|
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| MART 461 Marketing Theory
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 120 points from:
|
120
|
| MART 449, MART 548, MART 563, MART 564, MART 566, MART 567,
MART 568
, MART 569, MART 570, MART 574
| |
| |
Total
|
180 |
Master of Business (MBus) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
The Master of Business in Philosophy, Politics and Economics will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|
| Dissertation
| Compulsory papers:
| |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 590 Dissertation
|
60
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 80 points from:
|
80
|
| 400-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers or 500-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers*, including at least one paper from two of the three disciplines
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Project
| Compulsory papers:
| |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 580 Applied Project
|
40
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points from:
|
100
|
| 400-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers or 500-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers*, including at least one paper from two of the three disciplines
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Coursework
| Compulsory papers:
|
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 140 points from:
|
140
|
| 400-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers or 500-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers*, including at least one paper from two of the three disciplines
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| |
*
Some papers are limited to students in particular programmes | |
Master of Business (MBus) in Tourism
The Master of Business in Tourism will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|
| Dissertation
| Compulsory papers:
| |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 590 Dissertation
|
60
|
| TOUR 423 Advanced Tourism Concepts
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 60 points from:
|
60
|
| TOUR 426, TOUR 511, TOUR 516, TOUR 518, TOUR 520, TOUR 521,
TOUR 522
, TOUR 525, TOUR 527
| |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Project
| Compulsory papers:
| |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| BSNS 580 Applied Project
|
40
|
| TOUR 423 Advanced Tourism Concepts
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 80 points from:
|
80
|
| TOUR 426, TOUR 511, TOUR 516, TOUR 518, TOUR 520, TOUR 521,
TOUR 522
, TOUR 525, TOUR 527 | |
| |
Total
|
180
|
| Coursework
| Compulsory papers:
|
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century
|
10
|
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1
|
10
|
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2
|
20
|
| TOUR 423 Advanced Tourism Concepts
|
20
|
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 120 points from:
|
120
|
| TOUR 426, TOUR 511, TOUR 516, TOUR 518, TOUR 520, TOUR 521,
TOUR 522
, TOUR 525, TOUR 527 | |
| |
Total
|
180 |
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Business (MBus)
Admission to the Programme
- Every applicant must have been awarded a bachelor's degree with an average grade of at least B, have obtained a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Business with an average grade of at least B, or have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce).
- In addition to clause 1(a) applicants seeking admission to the subject of:
- Accounting and Finance must hold a bachelor's degree with a sciences or quantitative focus
- Economics must hold a bachelor's degree including both econometrics and mathematical economics
- Finance must hold a bachelor’s degree with a sciences or quantitative focus
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics must hold either a bachelor’s degree with a major in the interdisciplinary subject of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE); or, alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in any subject and have completed the equivalent of 300-level study (at least one paper) in each of three fields: Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
- Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce).
Subjects of Study
The degree may be awarded in any of the subjects for the degree of Master of Business listed in the MBus Schedule. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce), the degree may be awarded without a named subject.
Structure of the Programme
- The programme of study shall consist of one of the following options:
- Coursework Option: approved papers at 400-level or higher worth at least 180 points, selected from the papers specified in the Master of Business schedule for the subject concerned; or
- Project Option: approved papers at 400-level or higher worth at least 180 points, selected from the papers specified in the Master of Business schedule for the subject concerned, including a project to the value of 40 points; or
- Dissertation Option: approved papers at 400-level or higher worth at least 180 points, selected from the papers specified in the Master of Business schedule for the subject concerned, including a dissertation to the value of 60 points.
- may, with the approval of the Head of Department or Programme Coordinator concerned, include papers worth up to 40 points from 400- and 500-level papers other than those specified in the Master of Business schedule for the subject concerned.
- A candidate who has completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma in Business shall be exempted from those papers in the programme for the degree which have previously been passed for the certificate or diploma.
- With prior approval from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce), papers worth up to a maximum of 60 points in a relevant subject offered by another tertiary institution may be granted transfer credit for equivalent paper(s) within the programme. Such credits will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions
Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements for prerequisites, corequisites, and restrictions set out on the Prescriptions (published in the Guide to Enrolment).
Duration of the Programme
A candidate for the degree shall normally follow a programme of study for not less than one year (12 months) of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study.
Examination of the Project
- The applied project shall normally be assessed by the supervisor and one other internal examiner, to be determined by the Programme Co-ordinator.
- Each examiner shall supply a written report and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the final manuscript report as submitted.
- Where there is a disagreement over a final result, an independent moderator determined by the Programme Co-ordinator shall arrive at a decision.
Examination of the Dissertation
- The dissertation shall normally be assessed by the supervisor and one other internal examiner, to be determined by the Programme Co-ordinator.
- Each examiner shall supply a written report and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the final dissertation as submitted.
- Where there is a disagreement over a final result, an independent moderator determined by the Programme Co-ordinator shall arrive at a decision.
Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
