Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Phase one of the Otago MBA consists of the following components:

12 compulsory core papers

The core papers cover key business areas and have been specially designed for our MBA programme.

• BMBA 501 Business Law
• BMBA 502 Markets and Value Creation
• BMBA 503 Transformational Leadership
• BMBA 505 Business Economics
• BMBA 506 People and Culture
• BMBA 507 Accounting
• BMBA 508 Investment and Global Financial Markets
• BMBA 509 Strategic Planning for International Markets
• BMBA 510 Leading Sustainable Enterprises
• BMBA 511 Operational Excellence
• BMBA 512 International Business
• BMBA 513 Strategy Implementation

Live case study (on campus only)

The on-campus programmes include a live case study conducted in collaboration with the business community.

Extra-curricular activities

Extra-curricular activities and professional development opportunities vary for online and on-campus programmes.

Phase two of the Otago MBA can be completed through one or a combination of the following options:

Professional consulting engagement

This business project is one of the highlights of the Otago MBA programme. It is an opportunity to work with a real-world client on a project that is aligned with your career ambition. Your project is marked based on your ability to manage the project process, interactions with the client and the quality of your final report.

Elective papers  (on-campus only, available to online students)

The University of Otago MBA offers six 10-point short courses in advanced topics taught every January to February.

International exchange programme

The Otago MBA has international exchange partnerships with various MBA business schools and universities around the world:

• University of Western Australia
  Perth, Australia
• Vienna University of Economics and Business – Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien
  Vienna, Austria
• Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV- EAESP), São Paulo School of Business
  São Paulo, Brazil
• Western University, Ivey Business School
  London, Ontario, Canada
• York University, Schulich School of Business
  Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Copenhagen Business School
  Copenhagen, Denmark
• Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo De México (ITAM)
  Mexico City, Mexico
• Rotterdam School of Management / Faculteit Bedrijfskunde
  Rotterdam, Netherlands
• National University of Singapore (NUS)
  Singapore, Singapore
• Yonsei University
  Seoul, South Korea
• Duke University, Fuqua School of Business
  Durham, NC, USA
• Indiana University, Kelley School of Business
  Bloomington, IN, USA
• University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management
  Minneapolis, MN, USA
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler MBA
  Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Visit the Otago Global Student Exchange site for up-to-date details

For entry into the Otago MBA, students must meet the following criteria:

• An undergraduate degree (or equivalent or an acceptable level of management experience)
• A minimum of 3 years' professional / management experience
• A 550+ GMAT score or a 'pass' in the Otago MBA Admissions Test
• An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent (if English is not your first language)

The Otago MBA minimum entry requirements are the same for both online and on-campus.

How to apply

Domestic students - online

Fees information for NZ citizens, or New Zealand Residence Class Visa Holders studying in NZ

The tuition fees for the Online MBA programme can be paid on a pay-as-you-go basis.

* Please note: Tuition fees increase each year. All fees in this guide are for 2024.

Domestic students - on campus (full-time or part-time)

Fees information for NZ citizens, or New Zealand Residence Class Visa Holders studying in NZ

* Please note: Tuition fees increase each year. All fees in this guide are for 2024.

Additional information about fees

• Fees are inclusive of 15% GST (New Zealand Goods and Services Tax)
• Tuition fees do not include any of the University's sundry charges (see below for indicative pricing)
• Some costs such as additional or specialised printing, stationery and special events or trips are not included in the fee.

Student Services fee (on campus only)

The annual Student Services fee incorporates charges for a range of services which are charged in addition to the above fee. These services include:

• Access to student gym facilities
• Subsidised health and counselling services for domestic students
• Access to OUSA support services and recreational facilities
• Access to University recreation services
• Internet access

Those staying on campus in the second year (Phase 2) will be invoiced for a second annual Student Services fee at that time.

Those continuing off campus may apply for an exemption.

Find more information about the University of Otago Student Services fee

International students - online

Fees information for overseas students and New Zealand Residence Class Visa Holders studying outside of NZ

The tuition fees for the Online MBA programme are charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

* Please note: Tuition fees increase each year. All fees in this guide are for 2025.

International students – on campus

Fees information for international students who need to apply for student visa

International students are required to pay the total current tuition fee in advance.

The total international tuition fee for the programme in 2025 will be NZ$69,154.00

Additional information about fees

• Fees are inclusive of 15% GST (New Zealand Goods and Services Tax)
• Tuition fees do not include any of the University's sundry charges (see below for indicative pricing)
• Some costs such as additional or specialised printing, stationery and special events or trips are not included in the fee.
• Typically international fees increase annually, recently by around 3-5 per cent per year.

Student Services fee (on-campus only)

The annual Student Services fee incorporates charges for a range of services which are charged in addition to the above fee. These services include:

• Access to student gym facilities
• Subsidised health and counselling services for domestic students
• Access to OUSA support services and recreational facilities
• Access to University recreation services
• Internet access

Those staying on campus in the second year (Phase 2) will be invoiced for a second annual Student Services fee at that time.

Those continuing off campus may apply for an exemption.

Find more information about the University of Otago Student Services fee