Online MBA
Are you ready to transform your career, grow your professional network, expand your horizons, accelerate your career, and be an innovative and adaptable future-ready leader? Book ConsultationApply NowOnline MBA
Are you ready to transform your career, grow your professional network, expand your horizons, accelerate your career, and be an innovative and adaptable future-ready leader? Book ConsultationApply NowBUSINESS SCHOOL
%
succeeded in completing the MBA (class of 2022)
%
of MBA graduates had improved their career prospects¹
%
of MBA graduates say the MBA is worthwhile¹
Our expertly designed and accredited Online MBA builds on our extensive experience as New Zealand’s top Business School by offering you an internationally recognised MBA within a collaborative online learning experience.
Our Online MBA offers greater flexibility in how you study and when you learn in a way that best fits your lifestyle, combined with excellent opportunities for in-person professional development and business networking events.
Our Business School has Triple Crown accreditation from the top international bodies: AACSB International, EFMD-EQUIS and AMBA. Only 1% of Business Schools worldwide have these accreditations.
Our coursework masters degrees offer a practical learning experience, closely connected to industry needs. Whether you have a business background or not, these programmes can help you to advance your career or take it in a new direction.
Entry Requirements
A Bachelor’s degree with a GPA/GPE of 5.0 or higher, or the equivalent approved by Senate or its representative
AND
At least 3 years relevant management experience
Duration
Accelerated part-time
18-months
20-25 hours work a week
Next start dates
2025 Quarter 2
- Classes start 31 March
- Applications close 17 March
Full Programme Fees*
$48,960.00 (estimate)
Why is the Master of Business Administration right for you?
We have over 40 years of experience delivering our internationally acclaimed Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Auckland Business School. Tailored specifically for ambitious managers and leaders aspiring to elevate their leadership capabilities and advance their careers to senior levels, this exclusive programme promises a transformative journey.
Experience an online world-class education triple-accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, enriched by the unique perspectives of Aotearoa, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. Feel supported at every step of your journey through a wealth of online support services designed to help you thrive. Join a vibrant, diverse global community of peers, professionals and faculty preparing you to thrive in a multicultural and interconnected world.
Graduates of our online programmes become part of the university’s extensive alumni network, gaining access to a valuable community of professionals and potential mentors. As an MBA student, you will refine and enhance your leadership and business management skills, instil sustainable and ethical practices, and adeptly navigate a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Our commitment to academic excellence, the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and sustainability ensures a holistic learning experience that prepares graduates for an impactful future.
Join an exclusive cohort of global professionals in our highly popular Online MBA programme. Don’t delay—apply now to secure your place.
Sabrina’s story
Get a glimpse into Sabrina Hou’s world of balancing her busy life as a mother, manager and student, and why she pursued an MBA at the University of Auckland.
Book consultation
Our experienced programme consultants specialise in understanding your unique goals, interests, and career aspirations. They provide personalised advice tailored to your individual needs, ensuring you choose the programme that aligns perfectly with your objectives and lifestyle – and at a time, that suits you.
Schedule a no obligation consultation today.
As an Online MBA student, you will learn how to analyse and solve complex business problems, as well as how to develop and implement effective business strategies. The programme has an international dimension, including political risk, emerging markets, global governance, and globalisation.
The MBA Capstone Project consists of an international field trip and provides the opportunity to integrate theory and practice, working with a real-world New Zealand business in an international context. This will prepare you to operate effectively in a global business environment.
Course Code |
Course |
Description |
Points |
| BUSMBA 720 | Leading in Complexity | Develops skills for navigating the complex and changing workplace, to enable students to lead organisations positively, during uncertainty. Topics covered include leadership mindsets, leadership influence and leading in complex, changing environments. Draws on a range of theoretical backgrounds including psychological and management theories, and combines both international and Aotearoa leadership perspectives. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 721 | Te Ao Māori Business | Investigates how to integrate Māori values into contemporary business practices through examining governance, tikanga, and the Māori economy. Emphasis is placed on sustainability, societal well-being, and principles like kaitiakitanga, social purpose, and long-term planning. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 722 | Aotearoa NZ’s Unique Legal Landscape | Evaluates how New Zealand’s unique history shapes our legal and political environment, exploring how businesses can influence future policy and law-making. Through the lens of key areas of commercial law, business leaders learn to identify and critically evaluate significant business constraints and opportunities, thereby enabling more effective decision-making in both domestic and international contexts. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 723 | Strategy in Dynamic Markets | Explores strategic approaches to sustainable growth in a VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) world, focussing on problem-solving, effective positioning in existing markets and shaping of new markets. Develops skills to devise and implement strategies at organisation, ecosystem and market levels in uncertain and complex contexts. Practical examples are used to reinforce climate mitigation and circular economy practices to face and embrace 21st-century challenges. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 724 | Navigating the Economic Environment | Develops analytical and critical thinking skills in contemporary economic issues, both international and domestic, including national goals, productivity growth, money and inflation, inequality, and the genesis of financial crises. Micro-economic skills in the theory of the firm, competition, and supply and demand are also covered. Practical insights are gained into international economics and domestic issues such as the Māori economy. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 725 | Accounting & Finance | Develops finance and accounting skills covering topics such as interpreting financial statements, risk management, valuation techniques, financing, international finance, and fintech. Using case studies and real-world examples, students will develop practical skills in finance decision-making, including the importance of sustainable accounting and climate-related disclosures for ethical financial practices. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 726 | Analytics for Business Decisions | Develops a critical understanding of data science techniques. Students will be able to independently evaluate and identify sources of data, make high-level data-driven decisions, communicate specialised insights, and contribute to solving real-world problems. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 727 | Delivering Value Through Operations | Explores operations and supply chain management, focusing on effective production and delivery of goods and services that meet customer needs. Examines how to improve operations and supply chains to support competitive positioning while considering factors such as uncertainty and environmental sustainability. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 728 | Creating Value Through Innovation | Explores contemporary approaches that enhance innovation activities. Expands thinking about design and innovation beyond new products to other sources of value creation. Critically evaluates the role of innovation and design processes in creating new products, services, experiences, and markets. Develops skills to manage a creative approach to problem/ opportunity/solution identification and ideation. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 729 | Global Success and Scaling Up | Evaluates and assesses opportunities, challenges and risks in exporting or operating a business across borders as part of a global value chain. Combines country and market analysis with internationalisation strategies to explore challenges firms and their leaders face, focussing on New Zealand firms, their global context and the unique trade-offs to be considered. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 730 | MBA Capstone Consultancy Project | Develops skills in the identification of new opportunities and strategic recommendations for international growth through a consultancy project working with a New Zealand business. Students will learn to utilise information from a range of sources to make decisions while navigating uncertainty. An international field trip provides practical experience and exposure to global business practices. | 30 |
For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.
- Demonstrate the skills and knowledge to work in culturally diverse and inclusive domestic and global business environments; and converse with Māori knowledge (mātauranga Māori), values and principles (kaupapa Māori), and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Recognise the role of guardianship (kaitiakitanga) and acknowledge your socio-cultural, environmental and economic responsibilities when operating in domestic and global business environments.
- Exhibit advanced knowledge and application of general business management and leadership theory and practice in current domestic and global management contexts.
- Analyse, synthesise and evaluate ideas and information from multiple sources to develop coherent and evidence-based managerial decisions for the benefit of all stakeholders.
- Show innovation and entrepreneurship in your problem-solving, consider multiple perspectives, and investigate ways of resourcing and implementing solutions under uncertainty.
- Communicate professionally using a range of technologies and formats to engage diverse audiences; and display the skills to negotiate and persuade effectively.
- Collaborate effectively and professionally in diverse teams, maintaining positive relationships (whanaungatanga).
- Work with integrity, demonstrating self-management and respect (manaakitanga); and present a capacity for independent thought and lifelong learning, and the ability to influence others
Programme Summary
The Master of Business Administration programme covers a range of topics related to operational and strategic business management, macroeconomics and microeconomics, business research methods, and consultancy skills.
As an Online MBA student, you will learn how to analyse and solve complex business problems, as well as how to develop and implement effective business strategies. The programme has an international dimension, including political risk, emerging markets, global governance, and globalisation.
The MBA Capstone Project consists of an international field trip and provides the opportunity to integrate theory and practice, working with a real-world New Zealand business in an international context. This will prepare you to operate effectively in a global business environment.
Programme Structure
The MBA is designed to enable practising managers to study in an accelerated time frame. Courses are taught using an interactive and experientially-based pedagogy with weekly online classes supported by online learning materials and activities, including discussions, simulations, and active learning projects.
Course Code |
Course |
Description |
Points |
| BUSMBA 720 | Leading in Complexity | Develops skills for navigating the complex and changing workplace, to enable students to lead organisations positively, during uncertainty. Topics covered include leadership mindsets, leadership influence and leading in complex, changing environments. Draws on a range of theoretical backgrounds including psychological and management theories, and combines both international and Aotearoa leadership perspectives. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 721 | Te Ao Māori Business | Investigates how to integrate Māori values into contemporary business practices through examining governance, tikanga, and the Māori economy. Emphasis is placed on sustainability, societal well-being, and principles like kaitiakitanga, social purpose, and long-term planning. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 722 | Aotearoa NZ’s Unique Legal Landscape | Evaluates how New Zealand’s unique history shapes our legal and political environment, exploring how businesses can influence future policy and law-making. Through the lens of key areas of commercial law, business leaders learn to identify and critically evaluate significant business constraints and opportunities, thereby enabling more effective decision-making in both domestic and international contexts. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 723 | Strategy in Dynamic Markets | Explores strategic approaches to sustainable growth in a VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) world, focussing on problem-solving, effective positioning in existing markets and shaping of new markets. Develops skills to devise and implement strategies at organisation, ecosystem and market levels in uncertain and complex contexts. Practical examples are used to reinforce climate mitigation and circular economy practices to face and embrace 21st-century challenges. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 724 | Navigating the Economic Environment | Develops analytical and critical thinking skills in contemporary economic issues, both international and domestic, including national goals, productivity growth, money and inflation, inequality, and the genesis of financial crises. Micro-economic skills in the theory of the firm, competition, and supply and demand are also covered. Practical insights are gained into international economics and domestic issues such as the Māori economy. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 725 | Accounting & Finance | Develops finance and accounting skills covering topics such as interpreting financial statements, risk management, valuation techniques, financing, international finance, and fintech. Using case studies and real-world examples, students will develop practical skills in finance decision-making, including the importance of sustainable accounting and climate-related disclosures for ethical financial practices. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 726 | Analytics for Business Decisions | Develops a critical understanding of data science techniques. Students will be able to independently evaluate and identify sources of data, make high-level data-driven decisions, communicate specialised insights, and contribute to solving real-world problems. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 727 | Delivering Value Through Operations | Explores operations and supply chain management, focusing on effective production and delivery of goods and services that meet customer needs. Examines how to improve operations and supply chains to support competitive positioning while considering factors such as uncertainty and environmental sustainability. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 728 | Creating Value Through Innovation | Explores contemporary approaches that enhance innovation activities. Expands thinking about design and innovation beyond new products to other sources of value creation. Critically evaluates the role of innovation and design processes in creating new products, services, experiences, and markets. Develops skills to manage a creative approach to problem/ opportunity/solution identification and ideation. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 729 | Global Success and Scaling Up | Evaluates and assesses opportunities, challenges and risks in exporting or operating a business across borders as part of a global value chain. Combines country and market analysis with internationalisation strategies to explore challenges firms and their leaders face, focussing on New Zealand firms, their global context and the unique trade-offs to be considered. | 15 |
| BUSMBA 730 | MBA Capstone Consultancy Project | Develops skills in the identification of new opportunities and strategic recommendations for international growth through a consultancy project working with a New Zealand business. Students will learn to utilise information from a range of sources to make decisions while navigating uncertainty. An international field trip provides practical experience and exposure to global business practices. | 30 |
For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.
Programme Benefits
As a graduate of the Online MBA, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate the skills and knowledge to work in culturally diverse and inclusive domestic and global business environments; and converse with Māori knowledge (mātauranga Māori), values and principles (kaupapa Māori), and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Recognise the role of guardianship (kaitiakitanga) and acknowledge your socio-cultural, environmental and economic responsibilities when operating in domestic and global business environments.
- Exhibit advanced knowledge and application of general business management and leadership theory and practice in current domestic and global management contexts.
- Analyse, synthesise and evaluate ideas and information from multiple sources to develop coherent and evidence-based managerial decisions for the benefit of all stakeholders.
- Show innovation and entrepreneurship in your problem-solving, consider multiple perspectives, and investigate ways of resourcing and implementing solutions under uncertainty.
- Communicate professionally using a range of technologies and formats to engage diverse audiences; and display the skills to negotiate and persuade effectively.
- Collaborate effectively and professionally in diverse teams, maintaining positive relationships (whanaungatanga).
- Work with integrity, demonstrating self-management and respect (manaakitanga); and present a capacity for independent thought and lifelong learning, and the ability to influence others
* Note that travel costs associated with in-person intensives (such as a wānanga at Waipapa Marae and the international study tour) are additional. Courses are paid per Quarter. Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $4.62 per point (online). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.
¹Results from the University of Auckland’s graduate survey sent out to all MBA graduates since 2017. 100% of MBA graduates have responded to the survey.
Celebrating 40 years of the MBA
On Friday 20 October 2023, a special gathering of alumni, students and staff celebrated the fortieth anniversary of our prestigious MBA programme.
Past MBA students from cohorts spanning the last 4 decades came together to reminisce and reflect on the last 40 years, connecting with staff past and present.
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