Postgraduate Study in Leadership and Management
The Master of Business (MBus) in Leadership and Management is designed to unlock future leadership potential and widen career opportunities.
The subject covers the skills, insights and confidence required to lead and manage successfully in today’s dynamic and competitive landscape.
Whether you’re looking to advance within your current field or pivot into new opportunities, this degree will help you develop the skills to lead teams, drive innovation and make strategic decisions that have a real impact.
You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of key leadership and business models, as well as practical tools that employers value – from advanced problem-solving and decision-making, to effective communication and organisational leadership. Taught by leading academics and grounded in real-world applications, you’ll be prepared to take on leadership roles in a variety of sectors, including business, non-profit and government.
A postgraduate qualification in Leadership and Management not only enhances your employability, but sets you apart from the crowd in a competitive job market. Employers are actively seeking professionals who can navigate complexity, inspire others, and lead with confidence; all key components of the Master of Business in Leadership and Management.
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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, Master’s, 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 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.
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Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
The Master of Business in Leadership and Management 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 | |
| One of MANT 551 Strategic Change and Innovation or MANT 556 Global Operations Excellence | 20 | |
| One of MANT 553 Human Resource Management or MANT 555 Leadership Development | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 40 points from: | 40 | |
| 400 and 500 level papers in MANT (excluding MANT 480) | ||
| 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 | |
| One of MANT 551 Strategic Change and Innovation or MANT 556 Global Operations Excellence | 20 | |
| One of MANT 553 Human Resource Management or MANT 555 Leadership Development | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 60 points from: | 60 | |
| 400 and 500 level papers in MANT (excluding MANT 480) | ||
| 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 | |
| One of MANT 551 Strategic Change and Innovation or MANT 556 Global Operations Excellence | 20 | |
| One of MANT 553 Human Resource Management or MANT 555 Leadership Development | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points from: | 100 | |
| 400 and 500 level papers in MANT (excluding MANT 480) | ||
| Total | 180 |
Papers to the equivalent of 120 points from:
BSNS 411, BSNS 412, BSNS 413, and MANT papers at either 400- or 500-level (excluding MANT 480)
Papers to the equivalent of 60 points from:
BSNS 411, BSNS 412, BSNS 413, and MANT papers at either 400- or 500-level (excluding MANT 480)
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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