Master of Commerce

Program Overview

The Master of Commerce (MCom) program at the University of Auckland is a postgraduate program designed to provide students with a deep understanding and advanced knowledge in their chosen field of business. The program offers a diverse range of subjects across various business specializations, including accounting, commercial law, economics, finance, global management and innovation, information systems, marketing, and operations and supply chain management. The program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to excel in specialist positions within the public and private sectors and provides a pathway for further doctoral study.

Program Outline

Master of Commerce (MCom)

Degree Overview

The Master of Commerce (MCom) program at the University of Auckland is a postgraduate program designed to provide students with a deep understanding and advanced knowledge in their chosen field of business. It is a 120 or 180-point program that builds on an undergraduate degree in the same discipline. The 180-point MCom is a 12 or 15-month specialist master's degree combining coursework and a research component in the form of either a short dissertation (60 points) or a more substantial research portfolio (90 points). For those who have completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) or equivalent, the option to undertake a 120-point MCom by research comprising a supervised thesis is available. The MCom program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to excel in specialist positions within the public and private sectors and provides a pathway for further doctoral study.

Outline

The MCom program offers a diverse range of subjects across various business specializations, including:

• Accounting: This specialization delves into advanced topics such as research methods in accounting, governance issues in accounting, research in management control, accounting information and capital markets, and specific topics like sustainability accounting and efficiency and productivity measurement.
• Commercial Law: This specialization focuses on advanced legal concepts relevant to business, including contract law, company law, intellectual property law, and international business law.
• Economics: This specialization examines advanced economic theories, econometrics, and applied economics, delving into areas like economic development, international trade, and public policy.
• Finance: This specialization deepens understanding of financial theories, markets, and institutions, covering topics like portfolio theory and investment analysis, risk management, and financial econometrics.
• Global Management and Innovation: This specialization explores the complexities of managing in a globalized world, addressing topics like international business strategy, innovation management, and cross-cultural management.
• Marketing: This specialization focuses on advanced marketing concepts and strategies, covering topics like consumer behavior, brand management, digital marketing, and marketing analytics.
• Operations and Supply Chain Management: This specialization explores the optimization of production and supply chain processes, covering topics like operations strategy, supply chain management, and logistics.
In addition to coursework, the 180-point MCom program includes a research component, allowing students to choose between a dissertation or a research portfolio. The dissertation option involves conducting an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisor, culminating in a written thesis. The research portfolio option allows students to undertake multiple research projects in their chosen field, culminating in a collection of research outputs. The program structure caters to both full-time and part-time study options, with the 120-point program typically taking one year to complete and the 180-point program taking 12 to 15 months.

Assessment:

The assessment methods in the MCom program vary depending on the specific courses and specializations. However, common assessment methods include:

• Examinations: Written or oral examinations assess students' understanding of key concepts and theories.
• Assignments: Individual or group assignments allow students to apply their knowledge to real-world business scenarios.
• Case studies: Case studies challenge students to analyze complex business situations and develop solutions.
• Presentations: Oral presentations allow students to demonstrate their communication skills and ability to synthesize information.
• Research projects: Research projects, including dissertations and research portfolios, assess students' research skills, critical thinking abilities, and ability to contribute to knowledge in their field.

Teaching:

The MCom program is taught by experienced faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. These faculty members are actively involved in research and bring real-world industry experience to the classroom. The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles and preferences. These methods include:

• Lectures: Lectures provide students with an overview of key concepts and theories.
• Seminars: Seminars allow students to discuss course material in a smaller group setting and engage in active learning.
• Workshops: Workshops provide students with hands-on opportunities to develop practical skills in areas like data analysis, software applications, and communication.

Careers:

The MCom program prepares graduates for a wide range of career paths in the public and private sectors. Graduates can pursue careers in areas such as:

• Accounting: Management accountant, financial accountant, auditor, forensic accountant, taxation specialist
• Commercial Law: Commercial lawyer, corporate lawyer, in-house counsel, legal advisor
• Economics: Economic analyst, econometrician, economic consultant, policy advisor
• Finance: Financial analyst, portfolio manager, investment banker, financial advisor, risk management specialist
• Global Management and Innovation: Management consultant, international business manager, project manager, entrepreneur
• Information Systems: Business analyst, system analyst, software engineer, data scientist, cybersecurity specialist
• Marketing: Marketing manager, brand manager, digital marketing specialist, market research analyst
• Operations and Supply Chain Management: Operations manager, supply chain manager, logistics specialist, manufacturing engineer
The MCom program also provides graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue further academic study, such as doctoral research.

Other:

The MCom program emphasizes developing students' capabilities in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, and cultural understanding. The program also incorporates elements of sustainability and social responsibility into the curriculum. Students in the MCom program have the opportunity to participate in various co-curricular activities, such as internships, research projects, and industry events. These activities provide students with valuable real-world experience and networking opportunities.