Program Overview

Master of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Waikato is a world-class business qualification designed to unlock leadership potential and drive positive change in organizations. This part-time program is offered at both the Hamilton and Tauranga campuses, with a mix of in-person classes and online sessions.

Program Structure

• The program consists of 180 points, completed over 2 years of part-time study.
• Classes are held in person 15 Saturdays a year, plus 20 online sessions on alternate Wednesdays.
• The program covers all aspects of general management, with a focus on three key areas: Frameworks, Leadership, and Value Creation.

Entry Requirements

• Domestic students must have:
  • A bachelor's degree with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300-level papers, or equivalent professional qualification.
  • At least 3 years' management experience.
• Alternatively, students with at least 7 years' management experience may be considered.
• Students may be invited to attend an interview with the Waikato MBA Director before being admitted to the program.
• Required documentation includes:
  • A detailed CV outlining education and employment history, highlighting leadership and management skills or experience.
  • Two written letters of reference, one from an employer and one from an individual of the student's choice.

Fees and Scholarships

• Estimated fees: $47,271 per program.
• Domestic tuition fees are indicative only and may change.
• Additional fees and charges related to enrollment apply.
• The Waikato Management School Emerging Leaders Entrance Scholarship is available, with applications closing at the end of January.

Graduate Outcomes

• Graduates of the Master of Business Administration will be future-focused leaders who:
  • Have insight and curiosity to develop values-led innovative ideas and solutions for business faced with complex global issues.
  • Can translate ideas into impactful results for business.
  • Are agile, resilient, and ethical at all levels of decision-making.
  • Are global citizens.
  • Can inspire and facilitate others to transform for positive change.
  • Demonstrate and utilize key strategic, communication, marketing, decision-making, and financial frameworks to support organizational resilience and influence change.

Course Content

• The Waikato MBA puts a strong emphasis on experiential learning, with a focus on practical and relevant skills.
• The program includes a High Impact Research Project, where students add value to their own organization or investigate an entrepreneurial opportunity.
• The Waikato MBA Case Competition is also part of the program.
• The professional and cultural diversity of participants provides exceptional insights into different management practices and leadership behaviors, helping to build lifelong professional networks.

Why Choose the Waikato MBA?

• The Waikato Management School is in the top 1% of business schools globally, with prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation.
• The program offers a unique MBA Study Tour, where students can travel to another country for one week and enjoy daily field trips to export-led businesses and meet local leaders.
• Smaller cohort sizes provide a higher level of interaction with lecturers and classmates, as well as more personalized support.

Global Accreditations

• AMBA (Association of MBAs Accreditation) is the highest standard of accreditation awarded to the world's best MBA programs internationally.
• EQUIS is the leading international system of quality assessment, improvement, and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration.
• AACSB recognizes institutions that uphold its mission and core values, work to advance the interests of global management education, and participate in AACSB’s community of leading business schools.
• The Waikato MBA retained its Tier One status in CEO Magazine’s Global MBA Rankings 2024, since first achieving this ranking in 2017.