Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

    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.

    Contact details

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

    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.

    Ready to apply?

    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 Organisational Leadership for Change 20 points 1st Non standard period (24 August 2026 - 16 October 2026)
    BDBA902 2026 Organisational Psychology 20 points 1st Non standard period (4 May 2026 - 26 June 2026)
    BDBA903 2026 Globalisation and International Trade 20 points Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027
    BDBA904 2026 Contemporary Issues in Finance 20 points 1st Non standard period (24 August 2026 - 16 October 2026)
    BDBA905 2026 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)
    BDBA906 2026 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)
    BDBA907 2026 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)
    BDBA908 2026 Sustainable Business 20 points 1st Non standard period (29 June 2026 - 21 August 2026)
    BDBA909 2026 Marketing Theory and Practice 20 points Not offered in 2026
    BDBA912 2026 Systems Thinking and Practice 20 points 1st Non standard period (4 May 2026 - 26 June 2026)
    BDBA913 2026 Governance and Evidence-Informed Decision Making 20 points 1st Non standard period (12 January 2026 - 6 March 2026)

    BUSI papers

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

    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
    Postgraduate student
    Back to top