Waikato Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Course outline
Transform your career with the Waikato MBA. This life-changing masters programme is designed to propel you into senior leadership roles and equip you with the strategic insights and innovative mindset to drive any organisation forwards.
Key facts
- Study locations: Hamilton or Tauranga
- Points: 180 points (11 papers)
- Start date: March 2020, flexible study options on evenings or weekends
- Domestic students: Study 24-36 months part-time
Fees: NZ$38,000 (includes 7-9-day study tour, plus textbooks) - International students: Study 18 months full-time
Fees: NZ$55,000 (includes 7-9-day study tour, plus textbooks)
The Waikato Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a world-class degree that equips individuals with the best-practice skills and personal competencies to become a dynamic business leader or senior manager, who can continuously adapt and transform themselves in changing contexts.
Graduates will be prepared to drive continuous innovation and growth, be able to identify emerging opportunities or threats, lead high-performing teams of people, and confidently respond to new challenges.
The Waikato MBA covers all aspects of general and specialist management, giving participants the ability to drive positive changes within their own organisation.
The programme is structured around three key interdisciplinary areas: Frameworks, Leadership, and Value Creation. Each area imparts the knowledge and skills that today's leaders require as they face unprecedented disruption and digital transformation in the 21st century.
Top lecturers
The teaching style is highly engaging and participative. Smaller class sizes imeans a higher level of interaction with your MBA classmates through practical and group assignments. The professional and cultural diversity of MBA participants also helps to build lifelong global professional networks across multiple industries.
You'll be taught by top lecturers who are experts in their fields, exposing you to contemporary thought leadership that will challenge your current thinking. Not only do they bring cutting-edge research into the classroom; they also consult directly for organisations in New Zealand and overseas.
Study tour
A real highlight of the Waikato MBA is the study tour, with 7-9 days of industry visits and cultural sight-seeing. You'll learn first-hand about doing business in the real world, visit blue-chip companies and meet their CEOs, and see how global business theories work in practice.
The Waikato MBA is ideal for:
- Middle managers looking to step into more senior roles
- Functional, technical or professional specialists moving into positions that require broader management knowledge
- Business owners or entrepreneurs looking to add best-practice knowledge to their practical expertise.
Degree planner — Master of Business Administration (MBA) - 180 points
- Frameworks
- Leadership
- Value creation
Each paper is worth 15 points, unless stated otherwise.
This information is provisional and subject to change.Study options
Enjoy the flexibility to study part-time while you work, with classes offered in either Hamilton or Tauranga.
Enjoy the flexibility to study part-time while you work, with classes offered in either Hamilton or Tauranga.
The Waikato MBA programme starts in March each year.
Choose from the following three streams:
- Hamilton: every Tuesday and Thursday evening, 6pm - 9pm
- Hamilton: alternate Saturdays, 8.30am - 5pm
- Tauranga: alternate Saturdays, 8.30am - 5pm
MBA papers
The Waikato MBA programme is comprised of a suite of 11 papers structured around three cross-disciplinary areas - Frameworks, Leadership and Value Creation.
The Waikato MBA programme is comprised of a suite of 11 papers structured around three cross-disciplinary areas - Frameworks, Leadership and Value Creation.
Part 1: Frameworks
- EXMBA557 Competing in a complex world
- EXMBA558 Understanding the business environment
- EXMBA559 Financial analysis and performance
- EXMBA560 People and productivity
Part 2: Leadership
- EXMBA561 Leadership for growth and development
- EXMBA562 Creating positive disruption
- EXMBA563 Leading transformation in organisations
- EXMBA564 Governance and responsible management
Part 3: Value Creation
- EXMBA565 High impact project
- EXMBA566 Breaking boundaries - the global business experience
- EXMBA567 Contemporary and future issues for leaders
International rankings
Gain your world-class business education from Waikato Management School, which ranks in the top 1% of all business schools globally with our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation from EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB.
Waikato has an international reputation
Gain your world-class business education from Waikato Management School, which ranks in the top 1% of all business schools globally with our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation from EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB.
Waikato is also ranked in the world's top 250-300 universities for Accounting, Finance, and Business & Management Studies (QS Subject Rankings 2019).
Entry requirements
A bachelor's degree, or an equivalent professional qualification, AND At least 3 years' relevant management experience OR at least 10 years' work experience in any field.
You can apply for the Waikato MBA if you have:
- A bachelor's degree, or an equivalent professional qualification, AND
- At least 3 years' relevant management experience OR at least 10 years' work experience in any field.
If you are unsure if you have the necessary management experience, please send us a copy of your CV so we can assess your eligibility.
Note: The requirement for a bachelor's degree may be waived if an applicant can demonstrate substantial management experience (eg. five years at CEO/GM level; or seven years at functional management level).
You may also be asked to attend an interview with the MBA Director (in person or via Zoom), as part of the application process.
You will also need to provide the following documentation:
- A detailed CV that outlines your education and employment history that highlights leadership and management skills or experience.
- Two written letters of reference; one from your employer and the other can be from an individual of your choice.
References should be from individuals who can comment on your managerial strengths, leadership potential and personal character.
International students - English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to meet the University of Waikato's English language requirements.
English language requirements for international students:
- an IELTS overall score of at least 6.5, including at least 6.0 in the Writing band, or
- an iBT (Internet-based TOEFL) score of at least 90, with a Writing score of at least 22, or
- a B grade or better at Level 8 in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English, or
- an overall score of C (with at least a C in the Writing band) in the Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes, or
- a PTE Academic overall score of at least 65, with no less than 58 for each communicative skill.
How to apply
To enrol in our Waikato MBA programme you will need to complete an online application process for enrolment at the University of Waikato and admission to your programme of study.
To enrol in our Waikato MBA programme you will need to complete an online application process for enrolment at the University of Waikato and admission to your programme of study.
Contact us
Email: mba@waikato.ac.nz
Phone: +64 7 838 4833
One-to-one meetings with MBA Director
Dr Heather Connolly, MBA Director, regularly holds one-to-one sessions in Tauranga and Hamilton for prospective participants.
If you are interested in learning more about the Waikato MBA, please register for a meeting with Heather now. Each appointment will last up to 30 minutes.
Our team will be in touch via email to schedule a suitable meeting time.