Management

Entry requirements

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce). Applicants must either be a graduate, normally with qualifications requiring a total of at least four years of tertiary study, or have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce). In considering an applicant's qualifications, regard will be had to the detail of the course of study followed to gain the qualification, as well as the applicant's performance in the programme.

If your first language is not English you need to meet our English language requirements as follows: IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); we also accept a number of other English language tests. Due to COVID-19, we currently accept Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS Indicator Test, and TOEFL iBT Special home Edition.

Don’t meet the English language requirements? The University of Otago Language Centre English for Otago programme offers a pathway for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to meet the English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Months of entry

February, July

Course content

The Master of Commerce (MCom) degree allows for the development of individual research. Starting with a sound background of coursework, students will have the opportunity to contribute to existing fields or to begin to develop new areas of research.

The MCom can be pursued by a combination of papers and thesis, or by thesis only. Students who have a good Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) will complete the MCom by papers and thesis (at least two years' full-time study). The first year consists of a selection of papers leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce (PGDipCom). Students who have a good Honours degree or a PGDipCom (or equivalent qualification) can complete an MCom by thesis only (minimum one year).

The value of study in management cannot be overestimated. Whatever your interests in life and work and whatever your future hopes, wishes and goals, management will help you succeed. Management skills are needed by everyone in a position of responsibility. For example the top jobs in manufacturing, commerce, healthcare, education, legal, non-profit, recreational and science organisations will include managerial responsibilities. Management is equally applicable to self-employment, small business, national businesses, government organisations and multinational companies.

Often described as 'the art of getting things done through people', Management teaches students how to apply principles which focus on people at work, the day to day job of 'managing' and on organisations as a whole. Students may also take courses which attempt to explain the implications of managerial roles both in and out of the workplace.

A Management major is an essential component for all those who wish to participate and succeed in the business or organisational world because the management role is critical to both economic performance and human satisfaction in the workplace.

Management provides theoretical groundings and frameworks for understanding and developing solutions to the challenges of human resource and operations management. However, all students benefit from Management study because management activities support other specialist responsibilities. For instance, a senior medical laboratory technician is both a scientist and a manager, a school principal is a teacher and a manager. A senior accountant is both a financial interpreter and a manager and a religious leader is a spiritual teacher and a manager.

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 international students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding

New Zealand is a relatively affordable country to live in. Dunedin, being a student-focused city, has living and entertainment options for all budgets.

Students are eligible for the University of Otago International Research Master's Scholarship.