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Master of Management

Masters Degree MMgmt
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Kickstart your career as a professional manager with this 12-month Masters in Management degree, specialising in Agribusiness, Business Analytics, Project Management, or Supply Chain Management.

180 points, 12 months (full-time study over three trimesters). Part-time study also available for domestic students.

Hamilton

Taught as FLEXI papers (students attend a mix of lectures on campus and online sessions).

February (A Trimester) or July (B Trimester) for all specialisations. Agribusiness starts in July 2025.

Why study the Master of Management?

The Master of Management will develop your ability to succeed as a business leader in complex, competitive and culturally diverse situations, both in New Zealand and other countries.

This professional Masters in Management degree offers a choice of four specialisations in Agribusiness, Business Analytics, Project Management, or Supply Chain Management.

The 12-month degree has a three-part structure, which includes a core of general business and management papers. These are designed to equip you with strong business acumen and analytical abilities, as well as good leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.

Then you'll build advanced knowledge and skills in your specialist subject, and apply these to a variety of hands-on learning challenges.

A Masters in Management is ideal for recent university graduates with a bachelor's degree in any field; or people in the early to mid stages of their career who want to gain a formal postgraduate business qualification. No previous management experience is required.

Career Opportunities

  • Agri-consultant
  • Analytics & Insights Manager
  • Business analyst
  • Business manager
  • International trade advisor
  • Logistics / Supply chain manager
  • Project Manager
  • Policy Advisor
  • Sustainability advisor

180 points, 12 months (full-time study over three trimesters). Part-time study also available for domestic students.

Hamilton

Taught as FLEXI papers (students attend a mix of lectures on campus and online sessions).

February (A Trimester) or July (B Trimester) for all specialisations. Agribusiness starts in July 2025.

Degree information

Plan your study Subjects Entry Requirements Fees and scholarships Graduate outcomes

Students who complete the Master of Management will able to:

  • Learn by undertaking research, analysing issues, questioning ideas and findings, and reflecting on learning achieved.
  • Be able to use research-led knowledge in their field, and link applied research results, to understand and advance professional practice.
  • Have well-developed communication and collaborative skills, including an ability to work in and lead teams.
  • Have the skills for career self-management, including self-realisation, awareness of potential, and the ability to plan for education and growth.
  • Have creative problem-solving skills, including the ability to observe, diagnose, think critically and apply a systems or holistic approach to a problem.
  • Have a comprehensive understanding of the business environment.
  • Have the specific skills and competencies expected of a professional in their field.

Agribusiness graduates will be able to:

  1. Evaluate the values that flow from food systems and earth systems, including from Pākehā and Māori perspectives.
  2. Analyse shocks, trends and innovations in food consumption.
  3. Identify and analyse consumers' perceptions, attitudes, motivations and behaviours towards food.
  4. Identify and estimate food market segments and the determinants of demand for food and food quality.
  5. Identify and analyse the environmental impacts associated with food processing, trade, and consumption, at a national and global scale.
  6. Identify points of leverage and utilise them to design more sustainable food systems for the benefit of stakeholders.
  7. Evaluate investment opportunities, financial returns and risks in agriculture.
  8. Produce credible financial analyses for agribusinesses that incorporate interactions between biophysical systems and financial outcomes.
  9. Analyse the impact of alternative management practices, policy decisions, biophysical shocks and economic shocks on international and local agri-food systems.

Business Analytics gradutes will be able to:

  1. Extract business value from multiple data sources.
  2. Present information in a meaningful way to aid business decision making.
  3. Use a range of contemporary business analytical tools.
  4. Articulate the value of business analytics to non-technical specialists.
  5. Have the specific skills and competencies expected of a business analytics professional.
  6. Be respectful of Māori rights and interests in data and can articulate the importance of, as well as relevant protocols associated with, Māori data sovereignty, Māori data governance, as well as other relevant and important principles.
  7. Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills, including the ability to observe, diagnose, think critically, and apply a systems or integrated approach to a problem.
  8. Synthesise knowledge from academic disciplines and practice to achieve a broad perspective on the multitude of factors – internal and external – that impact on the organisation.
  9. Engage real-world problems in a theoretically informed and questioning manner.

Marketing graduates will be:

  1. Ready to apply broad marketing expertise to industry and community organisations.
  2. Strategically-minded and creative communicators
  3. Able to apply core marketing expertise in the digital era
  4. Able to function effectively as marketing managers or equivalent.

Project Management graduates will be:

  1. Able to engage real-world problems in a theoretically informed and questioning manner.
  2. Skilled and persistent at accessing information through a variety of media and evaluating its relevance to a situation or topic.
  3. Able to synthesise knowledge from academic disciplines and practice to achieve a broad perspective on the multitude of factors – internal and external – that impact on the organisation.
  4. Able to plan their work to meet time and structural constraints. They are adaptable to change, progressive, innovative, and able to identify solutions and opportunities that add value to an organisation.
  5. Have the skills for career self-management, including self-realisation, awareness of potential, and the ability to plan for education and growth.
  6. Have creative problem-solving skills, including the ability to observe, diagnose, think critically and apply a systems or holistic approach to a problem.
  7. Have a comprehensive understanding of the project management environment.
  8. Have the specific skills and competencies expected of a project management professional.

Supply Chain Management graduates will have:

  1. The ability and skills to solve complex business problems that often face supply chain and logistics practitioners.
  2.  Advanced knowledge and understanding of the concepts, techniques and skills required for designing, developing and managing domestic and global supply chains
  3. The ability to manage complex regional, national and international logistics networks.

Course structure

Part One: Choose four out of nine core business and management papers to build a strong foundation for your studies. Topics include economics and global markets, strategic decision-making, innovation and value creation, leadership and change, marketing strategy, and financial analysis.

Part Two: Focus on your chosen specialist subject through four advanced papers that will develop your expertise in this field. See the degree planners for details.

Part Three: For the High Impact Applied Project, you'll conduct research for a host organisation and write a report that delivers actionable insights for key stakeholders. The Intercultural Perspectives paper will help you to become a better manager in workplaces with diverse teams of people. The capstone paper requires students to tackle complex management issues with scenario planning and foresight.

Master of Management in Agribusiness

Be equipped with the skills to drive profits, sustainability and innovation in the rapidly evolving global agribusiness sector.

With growing demand for graduates who can lead the transformation towards sustainable agri-food systems, this masters degree focuses on developing strong business and economic analysis skills.

Situated in New Zealand’s food bowl, the University of Waikato is right on the doorstep of leading export companies like Fonterra, Zespri, Gallagher and Comvita, who produce world-class beef, dairy, kiwifruit, lamb, mānuka honey, wine, and agri-tech products.

Our students can enjoy access to some of the best agribusiness firms in the world, and learn first-hand about the commercial realities of managing successful agribusiness enteprises, from paddock to plate.

This degree delves into the complexities of agribusiness, with a strong focus on changing global markets, innovative business models, and sustainable farming practices.

Students will apply their analytical skills to tackle issues in production, processing, investment, and the adoption of smart agri-technologies such as robotics and drones. You'll also learn about managing the food value chain, food safety, strategies and industry policies to sustain a competitive advantage, and navigating the regulatory environment.

Graduates will be well prepared for careers as agribusiness managers, advisors, analysts, or investors.

Master of Management in Business Analytics

This masters degree is tailored for those looking to excel in the field of data-driven decision-making, as organisations increasingly rely on business intelligence to gain a competitive edge.

There is strong demand for experts who can translate data into strategic insights that will improve business processes, optimise performance, and guide financial decisions.

Unlike other programmes that focus on computer science skills (such as machine learning), Waikato’s Master of Management emphasises the practical applications of analytics to solve business challenges.

It provides a strong foundation in key areas like data visualisation, predictive analytics, business intelligence, decision modelling, and communicating data effectively to stakeholders.

Students will learn how to extract and analyse ‘big data’, visualise key trends, make financial forecasts, and turn complex datasets into actionable insights. You will work on real-world scenarios while developing skills in data mining, aggregation, cleaning, analysis, reporting and forecasting.

Graduates will be well equipped to pursue a business analytics career across diverse industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, agribusiness, marketing, supply chain/logistics, consulting, and government.

Master of Management in Project Management

The University of Waikato is proud to offer New Zealand’s first-ever business-oriented masters degree specialising in Project Management.

This 12-month programme is ideal for those seeking expertise in managing complex projects across sectors such as healthcare, construction, IT, finance and consulting.

Project managers with formal training are now in high demand as organisations strive for greater efficiency and rapid uptake of new technologies.

This degree equips students with practical skills and professional knowledge to lead projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.

Papers cover a comprehensive range of topics, from project planning and risk management, through to quality control, procurement, and stakeholder communication.

Students will learn how to use industry-standard methodologies and techniques like Agile and the waterfall approach, and a range of tools to manage resources effectively. Real-world case studies and practical projects are built into the coursework to provide hands-on experience in managing real-life scenarios.

Master of Management in Supply Chain Management

Prepare to lead in the fast-paced world of global logistics and supply chain management.

This masters degree will equip you with the skills to design, manage, and optimise supply chains, ensuring products move smoothly and efficiently from production to consumers.

In today’s interconnected global economy, supply chain management is vital. Unexpected disruptions – like shipping route closures or component shortages - can have significant impacts.

Key topics covered in this degree include supply chain strategy, logistics management, procurement, inventory control, and the use of technology to streamline operations.

Through real-world case studies and projects, you’ll learn how to tackle industry challenges such as demand forecasting, risk management, and sustainability in supply chains.

Students also gain hands-on experience with tools like SAP, the leading enterprise resource planning software, as well as Microsoft Project.

Graduates will be ready to take on supply chain/logistics roles in diverse industries, such as manufacturing, retail, transportation, and technology.

 

Why study business at Waikato?

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Top 1% globally

Study at the University of Waikato’s Management School. We are in the top 1% of business schools globally with our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation, proudly held since 2005.

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Close to the action

We are in New Zealand’s ‘Golden Triangle’, a powerhouse region that produces 50% of the nation's GDP. It has two seaports, an international airport, a logistics hub, and world-class agricultural land.

 

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High-tech futures

Hamilton city has a fast-growing cluster of IT, banking, biotechnology and manufacturing companies. The university is located near the Ruakura Superhub, a 490ha logistics and industrial facility.

Other study options

If you want to study a different specialist subject not currently offered with the Master of Management (MMgmt), take a look at the following 12-month masters degrees:

In addition, you may wish to consider our one-year Graduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Diplomas.

Please note that graduates of the Master of Management (MMgmt) are not eligible for admission to PhD study unless they complete some additional research-focused papers at postgraduate (500) level.

If you are interested in doing PhD study later on, then you may need to enrol for the Master of Business (MBus) instead, subject to meeting the entry requirements.

Contact us

International Enquiries

Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Management Student Centre

Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm
MSB.1.50, Waikato Management School, Hillcrest Road, University of Waikato, Hamilton