From data and digital to ethics and society – explore the full spectrum of modern marketing in your postgraduate study.
Why study postgraduate Marketing?
Marketing is everywhere. It informs what we buy, why we listen, where we travel and even how we vote. At its core, marketing is about people, relationships and meaning. Through a postgraduate programme in Marketing you’ll explore not just how to raise brands and sell products, but how to create value, influence outcomes and contribute to positive change.
At Otago you won’t just learn theory: you’ll engage with real-world problems, ask critical questions and build skills that matter in a complex world. We examine marketing’s ethical, social and environmental dimensions, because in the modern context being smart means being responsible. Whether your goal is to lead brands, create digital strategies, explore consumer behaviour or influence public policy, this is where you build the practical marketing skills to do it.
Career opportunities
When you study Marketing at a postgraduate level, you are preparing to step into roles that demand both insight and impact. The versatile nature of marketing means your skills can be applied across many sectors and organisations. Possible career pathways are:
- Brand manager or strategist
- Digital marketing and analytics specialist
- Consumer behaviour researcher
- Corporate communications or stakeholder engagement lead
- Social marketing or sustainability marketing specialist
What it’s like to study at this level
In this programme you will learn by doing, reflecting and collaborating. You’ll work alongside expert staff at Otago’s Department of Marketing and engage with classmates who share your passion for ideas and impact. You’ll take advanced coursework and/or a thesis-based component. You’ll challenge yourself with case studies, group projects and research tasks that mirror real business and societal issues. From classroom discussion to project work and independent inquiry, you will grow your thinking, skills and professional confidence.
This is for you if ...
You will benefit from having completed an undergraduate degree (typically in business, commerce, marketing, social sciences or a related discipline), and from being comfortable with research, data interpretation and critical thinking.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Marketing as an undergraduate at Otago.
Why study Marketing at Otago Business School
In this postgraduate programme you’ll join the Otago Business School’s Department of Marketing, where teaching and research converge to create meaningful outcomes. Otago’s Business School is ranked among the top research institutions in New Zealand and supports a culture of academic rigour backed by real-world relevance.
Our marketing staff bring specialised expertise in consumer behaviour, digital strategy, sustainability and brand innovation. You’ll learn alongside scholars who engage with business and society, ensuring your postgraduate study has impact beyond the classroom.
The programme is designed to give you flexibility, whether you choose a coursework pathway or a research-rich focus. It supports your growth into roles where strategy, insight and leadership matter. With access to the wider Otago Business School networks, you’ll be part of an ecosystem that values quality, relevance and future-orbit thinking.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Master of Commerce (MCom)
A one-year thesis-only master's degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Master of Business (MBus)
A coursework degree with an optional research component, awarded in a chosen specialist subject, completed in one-year's full-time or equivalent part-time study
Postgraduate Diploma in Business (PGDipBus)
A two-semester (at full-time), coursework programme, offering specialisation in a variety of subjects and a possible entry pathway into the MBus
Postgraduate Certificate in Business (PGCertBus)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time study (half year) or part-time study (full year)
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Thesis |
|---|
|
| Papers required |
|---|
| Note: Admission to this programme is subject to approval from the Head of the Department of Marketing. |
Note: Endorsement may require enrolment in papers totalling more than 120 points, depending on the extent of prior study in relevant subjects and whether the student wishes to be eligible for postgraduate study in the subject of endorsement.
The Master of Business in Marketing will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2 | 20 | |
| BSNS 590 Dissertation | 60 | |
| MART 461 Marketing Theory | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 60 points from: | 60 | |
| MART 449, MART 548, MART 563, MART 564, MART 566, MART 567, MART 568 , MART 569, MART 570, MART 574 | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| Project | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2 | 20 | |
| BSNS 580 Applied Project | 40 | |
| MART 461 Marketing Theory | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 80 points from: | 80 | |
| MART 449, MART 548, MART 563, MART 564, MART 566, MART 567, MART 568 , MART 569, MART 570, MART 574 | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| Coursework | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2 | 20 | |
| MART 461 Marketing Theory | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 120 points from: | 120 | |
| MART 449, MART 548, MART 563, MART 564, MART 566, MART 567, MART 568 , MART 569, MART 570, MART 574 | ||
| Total | 180 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
MRKG papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MART112 | 2026 | Marketing | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| MART201 | 2026 | Integrated Marketing Communications | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MART207 | 2026 | Sports Marketing | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MART210 | 2026 | Consumer Behaviour | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MART211 | 2026 | Products to Market | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MART212 | 2026 | Understanding Markets | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MART301 | 2026 | Strategic Marketing | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MART304 | 2026 | Sales and Sales Management | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MART305 | 2026 | Societal Issues in Marketing | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MART306 | 2026 | Market-Led Innovation | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MART308 | 2026 | Integrated Digital Marketing | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MART310 | 2026 | Current Issues in International Branding | 18 points | Summer School |
| MART328 | 2026 | Business to Business Marketing | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MART329 | 2026 | Consumer Behaviour | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MART330 | 2026 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MART333 | 2026 | Creative Marketing Communication | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MART355 | 2026 | Business Project | 36 points | Full Year |
| MART449 | 2026 | Creative Marketing for Behaviour Change, Sustainability and Social Good | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| MART461 | 2026 | Marketing Theory | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| MART548 | 2026 | Advanced Business Analytics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| MART563 | 2026 | Food Marketing | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| MART564 | 2026 | Consumer Behaviour | 20 points | 1st Non standard period (19 October 2026 - 20 November 2026) |
| MART565 | 2026 | Marketing for Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| MART566 | 2026 | Digital Marketing | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| MART567 | 2026 | Tourism Marketing | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MART570 | 2026 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
Contacts
Department of Marketing
Otago Business School
Email marketing@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/marketing
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
World-class research
The University of Otago has a global reputation for research excellence. Our expertise is vast across health, society, culture, sustainability and the environment.
Explore our research