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Combining a strong global perspective with the diversity of our classes and opportunities for international exchange to renowned universities worldwide, students are prepared for success in the highly competitive global economy.

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Email otagomba@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/mba

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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.

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Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.

Programme details

Compare programmes for this subject.

Papers

For the English Language version of the programme

ModulePapers
Phase 1

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

Note: One BMBA 500-level paper not listed in the schedule may be substituted for another BMBA 500-level paper, with the approval of the Director of Executive Programmes in Business..
Phase 2

BUSI 540 Professional Consulting Engagement

or papers to a minimum of 60 points from:
  • BMBA 500-level papers, excluding BMBA 501-513
  • Approved elective papers*
Note: A candidate, with approval from the Programme Director and the MBA Academic Leader may substitute alternative papers to a maximum of 60 points. * selected from approved papers normally at 400-level or higher. Entry into specific elective papers will be subject to approval by the head of the host department based on the background of the student applying and on performance in the relevant MBA core papers.

For the Chinese Language version of the programme

ModulePapers
Phase 1

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

Note: One CMBA 500-level paper not listed in the schedule may be substituted for another CMBA 500-level paper, with the approval of the Director of Executive Programmes in Business..
Phase 2

CBUS 540 Professional Consulting Engagement (60 points)

Or papers to a minimum of 60 points from: CMBA 500-level papers*, excluding CMBA 501– 513

Or papers to a minimum of 60 points from: BMBA 500-level papers, excluding BMBA 501– 513**

Or papers from an approved international exchange partner**. Papers to be taken through international exchange must be approved by the Programme Director and the MBA Academic Leader.

* Not all papers are available every year
**Students selecting this option must meet the University's Postgraduate English language requirements.

 Papers
Coursework

Three compulsory 20-point papers

and three elective 20-point papers selected from

  • BDBA 901 Organisational Leadership for Change
  • BDBA 902 Organisational Psychology
  • BDBA 903 Globalisation and International Trade
  • BDBA 904 Contemporary Issues in Finance
  • BDBA 908 Sustainable Business
  • BDBA 909 Marketing Theory and Practice
  • BDBA 912 Systems Thinking and Practice
  • BDBA 913 Governance and Evidence-Informed Decision Making
(not all elective papers will necessarily be offered each year)
 Note: Every paper must be passed with a grade of at least B+, and a confirmation presentation must be satisfactorily completed as part of the residential component of BDBA 906 Research Methodology II, before a candidate may proceed to the thesis component.
Thesis – for all candidates

Preparation and submission of a scholarly work, based on research investigation, which demonstrates academic prowess and the integration of an industry report with business theory.  It may include a professional business case, reporting improvement or development of a specific business area.

Papers

View a list of all related papers below.

BDBA papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
BDBA901 2026, 2027 Organisational Leadership for Change 20 points 1st Non standard period (24 August 2026 - 16 October 2026), 1st Non standard period (23 August 2027 - 17 October 2027)
BDBA902 2026, 2027 Organisational Psychology 20 points 1st Non standard period (4 May 2026 - 26 June 2026), 1st Non standard period (28 June 2027 - 20 August 2027)
BDBA903 2026, 2027 Globalisation and International Trade 20 points Not offered in 2026, 1st Non standard period (28 June 2027 - 22 August 2027)
BDBA904 2026, 2027 Contemporary Issues in Finance 20 points 1st Non standard period (24 August 2026 - 16 October 2026), Not offered in 2027
BDBA905 2026, 2027 Research Methodology I 20 points 1st Non standard period (12 January 2026 - 6 March 2026), 2nd Non standard period (29 June 2026 - 21 August 2026), 1st Non standard period
BDBA906 2026, 2027 Research Methodology II 20 points 1st Non standard period (12 January 2026 - 11 December 2026), 2nd Non standard period (29 June 2026 - 25 June 2027), 1st Non standard
BDBA907 2026, 2027 Socially Responsible Business 20 points 1st Non standard period (9 March 2026 - 1 May 2026), 2nd Non standard period (19 October 2026 - 11 December 2026), 1st Non standard period
BDBA908 2026, 2027 Sustainable Business 20 points 1st Non standard period (29 June 2026 - 21 August 2026), 1st Non standard period (3 May 2027 - 27 June 2027)
BDBA909 2026 Marketing Theory and Practice 20 points Not offered in 2026
BDBA912 2026, 2027 Systems Thinking and Practice 20 points 1st Non standard period (4 May 2026 - 26 June 2026), 1st Non standard period (3 May 2027 - 25 June 2027)
BDBA913 2026, 2027 Governance and Evidence-Informed Decision Making 20 points 1st Non standard period (12 January 2026 - 6 March 2026), 1st Non standard period (3 May 2027 - 24 June 2027)
BDBA914 2027 Leveraging Knowledge for Practice 20 points 1st Non standard period (23 August 2027 - 15 October 2027)

BUSI papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
BMBA501 2026, 2027 Business Law 15 points 1st Non standard period (12 January 2026 - 22 February 2026), 1st Non standard period (20 April 2026 - 31 May 2026), 4th Non standard period (8 June 2026 - 19 July 2026), 2nd Non standard period (1 March 2027 - 11 April 2027), 2nd Non standard period (1
BMBA502 2026, 2027 Markets and Value Creation 15 points 1st Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 26 October 2026), 3rd Non standard period (20 April 2026 - 31 May 2026), 7th Non standard period (2 November 2026 - 13 December 2026), 3rd Non standard period (19 April 2027 - 30 May 2027), 5th Non standard
BMBA503 2026, 2027 Transformational Leadership 15 points 1st Non standard period (2 March 2026 - 12 April 2026), 3rd Non standard period (20 April 2026 - 31 May 2026), 6th Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 25 October 2026), 2nd Non standard period (1 March 2027 - 11 April 2027), 3rd Non standard period
BMBA505 2026, 2027 Business Economics 15 points 1st Non standard period (20 April 2026 - 31 May 2026), 4th Non standard period (8 June 2026 - 19 July 2026), 5th Non standard period (27 July 2026 - 6 September 2026), 7th Non standard period (2 November 2026 - 13 December 2026), 4th Non standard period
BMBA506 2026, 2027 People and Culture 15 points 1st Non standard period (27 July 2026 - 6 September 2026), 2nd Non standard period (2 March 2026 - 12 April 2026), 6th Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 25 October 2026), 1st Non standard period (11 January 2027 - 21 February 2027), 3rd Non
BMBA507 2026, 2027 Accounting 15 points 1st Non standard period (12 January 2026 - 22 February 2026), 1st Non standard period (2 March 2026 - 12 April 2026), 4th Non standard period (7 June 2027 - 18 July 2027), 5th Non standard period (26 July 2027 - 5 September 2027), 6th Non standard
BMBA508 2026, 2027 Investment and Global Financial Markets 15 points 1st Non standard period (8 June 2026 - 19 July 2026), 3rd Non standard period (20 April 2026 - 31 May 2026), 7th Non standard period (2 November 2026 - 13 December 2026), 6th Non standard period (13 September 2027 - 24 October 2027), 7th Non standard
BMBA509 2026, 2027 Strategic Planning for International Markets 15 points 1st Non standard period (12 January 2026 - 22 February 2026), 1st Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 25 October 2026), 2nd Non standard period (2 March 2026 - 12 April 2026), 2nd Non standard period (1 March 2027 - 11 April 2027), 5th Non standard
BMBA510 2026, 2027 Leading Sustainable Enterprises 15 points 1st Non standard period (27 July 2026 - 7 September 2026), 6th Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 25 October 2026), 7th Non standard period (2 November 2026 - 13 December 2026), 3rd Non standard period (19 April 2027 - 30 May 2027), 4th Non
BMBA511 2026, 2027 Operational Excellence 15 points 1st Non standard period (8 June 2026 - 20 July 2026), 3rd Non standard period (20 April 2026 - 31 May 2026), 4th Non standard period (8 June 2026 - 19 July 2026), 1st Non standard period (11 January 2027 - 21 February 2027), 3rd Non standard period (19
BMBA512 2026, 2027 International Business 15 points 1st Non standard period (2 November 2026 - 13 December 2026), 2nd Non standard period (2 March 2026 - 12 April 2026), 5th Non standard period (27 July 2026 - 6 September 2026), 4th Non standard period (7 June 2027 - 18 July 2027), 7th Non standard
BMBA513 2026, 2027 Strategy Implementation 15 points 1st Non standard period (2 November 2026 - 13 December 2026), 3rd Non standard period (20 April 2026 - 31 May 2026), 6th Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 25 October 2026), 6th Non standard period (13 September 2027 - 24 October 2027), 7th Non
BMBA550 2026, 2027 MBA Elective Papers 60 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BMBA571 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Strategy 1 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BMBA572 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Strategy 2 10 points 1st Non standard period (1 December 2026 - 31 March 2027), 1st Non standard period (1 December 2027 - 31 March 2028)
BMBA573 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Strategy 3 10 points 1st Non standard period (1 December 2026 - 31 March 2027), 1st Non standard period (1 December 2027 - 31 March 2028)
BMBA574 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Strategy 4 10 points 1st Non standard period (1 December 2026 - 31 March 2027), 1st Non standard period (1 December 2027 - 31 March 2028)
BMBA575 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Marketing 1 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BMBA576 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Marketing 2 10 points 1st Non standard period (1 December 2026 - 31 March 2027), 1st Non standard period (1 December 2027 - 31 March 2028)
BMBA577 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Marketing 3 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BMBA578 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Marketing 4 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BMBA579 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in International Business 1 10 points 1st Non standard period (1 December 2026 - 31 March 2027), 1st Non standard period (1 December 2027 - 31 March 2028)
BMBA580 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in International Business 2 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BMBA581 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in International Business 3 10 points 1st Non standard period (1 December 2026 - 31 March 2027), 1st Non standard period (1 December 2027 - 31 March 2028)
BMBA582 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in International Business 4 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BUSC510 2026, 2027 General Management Concepts 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BUSC511 2026, 2027 Strategic Thinking 15 points 1st Non standard period (1 January 2026 - 30 June 2026), 2nd Non standard period (1 July 2026 - 31 December 2026), 1st Non standard period (1 July 2027 - 31 December 2027)
BUSC512 2026, 2027 Enhancing Leadership 15 points 1st Non standard period (1 January 2026 - 30 June 2026), 2nd Non standard period (1 July 2026 - 31 December 2026), 1st Non standard period (1 January 2027 - 30 June 2027)
BUSC513 2026, 2027 Marketing - Creating Value For Customers 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BUSC516 2026, 2027 Managing People and Performance 15 points 1st Non standard period (1 January 2026 - 30 June 2026), 2nd Non standard period (1 July 2026 - 31 December 2026), 1st Non standard period (1 July 2027 - 31 December 2027)
BUSC517 2026, 2027 Finance for Non-Financial Managers 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BUSC518 2026, 2027 Innovation and Entrepreneurship 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BUSC520 2026, 2027 The Art of Labour Negotiations 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BUSC523 2026, 2027 Corporate Sustainability 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BUSC524 2026, 2027 Project Management 15 points 1st Non standard period (1 January 2026 - 30 June 2026), 2nd Non standard period (1 July 2026 - 31 December 2026), 1st Non standard period (1 July 2027 - 31 December 2027)
BUSC590 2026, 2027 Business Project in Executive Management 30 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
BUSI540 2026, 2027 Professional Consulting Engagement 60 points 2nd Non standard period (19 January 2026 - 27 April 2026), 4th Non standard period (22 June 2026 - 28 September 2026), 2nd Non
CBUS540 2026, 2027 Professional Consulting Engagement 60 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA501 2026, 2027 Business Law 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA502 2026, 2027 Markets and Value Creation 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA503 2026, 2027 Transformational Leadership 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA505 2026, 2027 Business Economics 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA506 2026, 2027 People and Culture 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA507 2026, 2027 Accounting 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA508 2026, 2027 Investment and Global Financial Markets 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA509 2026, 2027 Strategic Planning for International Markets 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA510 2026, 2027 Leading Sustainable Enterprises 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA511 2026, 2027 Operational Excellence 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA512 2026, 2027 International Business 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA513 2026, 2027 Strategy Implementation 15 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA571 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Strategy 1 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA572 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Strategy 2 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA573 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Strategy 3 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA574 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Strategy 4 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA575 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Marketing 1 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA576 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Marketing 2 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA577 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Marketing 3 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA578 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in Marketing 4 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA579 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in International Business 1 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA580 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in International Business 2 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA581 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in International Business 3 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
CMBA582 2026, 2027 Advanced Topics in International Business 4 10 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027

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.

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