Study Sustainable Business at Otago

Sustainability is becoming a crucial component of most organisations, and there is huge demand for graduates with specialised sustainability knowledge. The minor in Sustainable Business will give you an understanding of the social, ethical, and environmental implications of managing business organisations. You will develop the depth of knowledge needed to provide recommendations for sustainable operations and strategy, and ultimately make a difference in both New Zealand and the world.

The skills and knowledge you learn in this minor can be applied across a variety of industries such as energy, farming, education, health and government. Most larger organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand now have some form of sustainability role so you will have a great selection of career opportunities.

Information on this page relates to the Minor in Sustainable Business. There is also a postgraduate degree, the Master of Sustainable Business (MSusBus), which has its own qualification page:

Master of Sustainable Business

Why study Sustainable Business?

This minor will appeal to students who are environmentally, ethically and societally minded and who want to do good in the world. The selection of papers focus on issues surrounding sustainable business, ethics and indigenous approaches to dealing with environmental pressures. These will provide you with a breadth and depth of knowledge to support good organisational citizenship and allow you to make a difference in both New Zealand and the world.

The call for businesses to become more sustainable is ever-increasing. Gain the sought-after skills and knowledge needed to help organisations tackle one of the key issues of our time – how to manage an organisation to maximise benefits to society, while minimising the impact on the natural environment. This minor will enhance your employability, by providing you with the opportunity to apply sustainability concepts to business, a skill highly sought after by graduate employers.

Background required

There are no required subjects for studying Sustainable Business at Otago. This minor is open to all students studying across the University.

Teaching style

Teaching is via a mix of lectures, labs and tutorials. The three required papers are delivered by active researchers who have an interest in managing sustainable enterprises, which means that the teaching and course work draw upon emerging research in the field. The elective papers are offered by departments across the University which can further enhance and broaden your perspective of Sustainable Business.

Career opportunities

The job opportunities in sustainable business are increasing fast, with a strong market for the skill set developed through this programme. The minor in Sustainable Business will prepare students for a variety of careers. Graduates will be well positioned to work as and with sustainability advisers, consultants, analysts, planners and managers for policy, change, development and strategy. These roles cut across industries such as energy, farming, education, health and government.

Key information for future students

• Domestic students
• International students

Contact us

Department of Management
Otago Business School
Email minor.susbus@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/management

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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2023 Calendar and supplementary material.