Master of Applied Management (Business Management)
If you want to gain a thorough understanding of management, this is the programme for you. You will have the flexibility to choose between research or an applied approach to fit your learning needs. Whatever your career plans, you will gain the specialised management and leadership knowledge to be an effective leader.
Domestic
July
About the programme
Successful completion of this advanced programme will enable you to confidently engage with research and its application across a range of disciplines within the applied management context.
Graduates of this qualification are critical thinkers, effective problem solvers, future-focused and apply specialised management and leadership knowledge and capabilities to new situations within the field of business management.
Management occupations are projected to grow rapidly over the next ten years leading to an increasing need for management professionals and there is also an increasing demand for those professionals to hold higher level qualifications. Applicants for these roles are therefore at a considerable advantage with a postgraduate qualification.
This qualification offers you two pathway options: Professional Project and Coursework, or Research Thesis.
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We offer this programme with part-time options - talk to us about what suits you best!
International
Dunedin
April
July
October
About the programme
Successful completion of this advanced programme will enable you to confidently engage with research and its application across a range of disciplines within the applied management context.
Graduates of this qualification are critical thinkers, effective problem solvers, future-focused and apply specialised management and leadership knowledge and capabilities to new situations within the field of business management.
Management occupations are projected to grow rapidly over the next ten years leading to an increasing need for management professionals and there is also an increasing demand for those professionals to hold higher level qualifications. Applicants for these roles are therefore at a considerable advantage with a postgraduate qualification.
In Dunedin
This qualification offers you two pathway options: Professional Project and Coursework, or Research Thesis. Our Dunedin programme has an intake in February.
In Auckland
This qualification offers you three pathways: Coursework, Professional Project and Coursework, or Research Thesis. It's offered by Future Skills Academy due to a sub-contract arrangement with Otago Polytechnic. Our Auckland programme has intakes in February, April, July and October.
What You Study
You will study (in Dunedin)
This option is available for both domestic and international students.
Research Thesis
Complete the four compulsory courses listed below plus Research Thesis (120 credits, Level 9).
You must pass all four core compulsory courses with a B average before enrolling in the Research Thesis.
Compulsory courses
| Course name | Course description | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Capabilities for Managers |
Gain a critical awareness of the skills needed to manage complex organisations |
8
|
15 |
|
Research and Enquiry |
Achieve the skills needed to undertake small-scale professional projects within organisations |
8
|
15
|
|
Analytics for Managers |
Achieve the skills needed to critically evaluate data for decision making within applied management |
8
|
15
|
|
Project Management |
Develop critical analysis and application skills in project management |
8
|
15
|
You will study (in Auckland)
This option is only available for international students and has three pathway options.
1. Coursework
Complete the four compulsory courses listed below plus eight other courses (including at least three Level 9 courses) from the electives list.
2. Professional Project and coursework
Complete the four compulsory courses listed below plus Professional Project (45 credits, Level 9) and five courses at Level 8 and Level 9 (at least two courses must be at Level 9) from the electives list.
3. Research Thesis
Complete the four compulsory courses listed below plus Research Thesis (120 credits, Level 9).
Compulsory courses
| Course name | Course description | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Capabilities for Managers |
Gain a critical awareness of the skills needed to manage complex organisations |
8 |
15 |
|
Research and Enquiry |
Achieve the skills needed to undertake small-scale professional projects within organisations |
8 |
15 |
|
Analytics for Managers |
Achieve the skills needed to critically evaluate data for decision making within applied management |
8 |
15 |
|
Project Management |
Develop critical analysis and application skills in project management |
8 |
15 |
Elective courses
| Elective name | Description | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Developing Effective Organisations |
Gain a critical understanding of organisational development theory and practice in organisational contexts including Iwi/Māori organisations |
8 |
15 |
|
Entrepreneurship and Innovation |
Learn how to analyse the processes associated with managing entrepreneurship and innovation within both new ventures and existing firms and to assess the significant issues associated with utilising these managerial concepts to optimise organisational performance |
8 |
15 |
|
Managing for Sustainability |
Develop sustainable practice capabilities and learn how to apply these capabilities to a variety of applied settings as a sustainable practice manager |
8 |
15 |
|
Marketing in a Digital Age |
Gain the marketing management capabilities necessary to organise and manage for growth and profitability in a digital age |
8 |
15 |
|
Financial Decision Making |
Enables you to apply the concepts, theory and analytical techniques of finance to investment, financing and dividend decisions of a firm |
8 |
15 |
|
Applied Human Resource Management |
Gain the skills needed for management of human resources within contemporary Aotearoa/New Zealand organisations |
8 |
15 |
|
Cross-cultural Management |
Develop the capabilities to evaluate the issues that arise in the leadership of organisations when managers address culturally-determined differences in employee values, attitudes and behaviours |
9 |
15 |
|
Corporate Governance and Leadership |
Evaluate complex corporate governance and leadership challenges in the context of different ownership structures. This will include governance and leadership models in the context of indigenous organisations, and the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi |
9 |
15 |
|
Managing Change and Adversity |
Critically analyse the processes associated with achieving organisational growth, effective management of change, and the implementation of actions to respond to adversity, including how iwi/Māori organisations have managed post settlement growth |
9 |
15 |
|
Management of Information Systems |
To enable students to understand how information systems should be managed in order to assist in the achievement of the strategic goals of organisations. |
9 |
15 |
Further study options
This qualification prepares you for further postgraduate study. Alternatively, it also prepares you to advance your career or enhance your own organisation.
Workload
Your workload
You will be expected to spend about 38 hours per week (or 300 hours per study block) on your course work. This includes both scheduled class time and self-directed study. For on-campus students, some of these hours may be spent in a workplace gaining hands-on experience and developing important industry and business connections.
How you'll learn
You'll learn using an online learning platform called Moodle. This means that, no matter where you are, you have easy access to all your course content. You also have access to Office 365, including Microsoft Teams, which you can use as part of your interaction with lecturers and classmates.
Entry
Entry requirements
Minimum entry requirements are:
- A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in a related discipline with a grade average at Level 7/8 of B- or higher, OR
- A combination of academic qualifications and relevant skills and knowledge acquired through work or professional experience that is deemed equivalent to the above.
- International applicants must demonstrate that they have equivalent academic qualifications and experience. Click here for your country's equivalent academic entry requirements.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Selection process
Where there are more applicants than places available, applicants will be selected on the basis of the best academic records and their admission recommended to the OPAIC Director, Learning and Teaching in Auckland or the Programme Leader in Dunedin who will approve the final selection.
Pathways into this programme
You may have completed an undergraduate degree in a different discipline and be working in a management role. There are no specific foundation/bridging programmes in applied management for this qualification.
Where English proficiency does not meet the required IELTS level, you may pathway to this qualification by completing the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 5) which is available at Otago Polytechnic.
Want your existing skills recognised?
Recognition of Prior Learning including cross credit or credit transfer are available for this programme.
Advanced standing is available for up to 60 credits in this programme through the process of assessment of prior learning. Students may use a combination of formal and informal learning experiences to support their application.
The following courses are not available for credit recognition:
- AM801002 Capabilities for Managers
- AM901001 Professional Project
- AM902001 Research Thesis
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
