Course Overview

New Zealand is a popular study destination for students looking to pursue a degree in business. Offering a world-class education with globally-recognised qualifications from prominent institutions, New Zealand is home to one of the major trading cities in the world with a thriving finance and commerce industry. Undergraduate programs prepare students for careers in various industries including finance, technology, agribusiness and shipping. Students can specialise in majors that include marketing, property, digital marketing, international business and applied management.

Strict quality of standards and checks on each program is conducted by the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NZVCC), ensuring degrees are recognised internationally. In addition to a comprehensive curriculum, students are taught to develop key capability skills, through internships and business competitions, which include flexibility and teamwork while being effective professionals in multicultural and Western business environments. Taking a business degree in New Zealand is a solid step towards excellent career prospects internationally as well as employment opportunities in New Zealand where graduates can stay and work in.

Why study business in New Zealand?

  • Business universities in New Zealand have a rigorous curriculum to ensure graduates are employment-ready. This includes an emphasis on active participation, team-work and projects through internships, study tours and business competitions.

  • Choose from a wide variety of business disciplines that interest you such as marketing, property, digital marketing, international business and applied management.

  • Students studying business have the opportunity to gain industry insight during their program through internships.

  • Excellent employment opportunities await students who study business in New Zealand, back home and within New Zealand itself.

Key facts about studying business in New Zealand

  • All of New Zealand’s 8 Universities are featured in the QS rankings (QS Top Universities 2021) with the University of Auckland being in the top 100.

  • You can stay and work in New Zealand for 1, 2 or 3 years after you graduate with a business degree from a New Zealand university with the Post-study work visa.

  • New Zealand is a safe and peaceful country, ranking 2nd out of 163 countries in the 2021 Global Peace Index.

Choosing your business university

Here are some key things to look out for in choosing your business university in New Zealand:

  • Academic Excellence – Research on reviews and teaching professors can give a good insight into the course curriculum in addition to course descriptions. A good experience can move beyond traditional education boundaries and provides excellent teaching support for the track you wish to pursue.

  • Linked MBA Programs - Understand if there are any post-graduate programs such as an MBA that allows you easier entry when you apply in the future while accelerating your learning through exemptions,

  • Location – Whether it’s the bustling city of Auckland or scenic Christchurch you prefer, look for a university situated in a region that offers you the best mix of lifestyle and standard of living.

  • Cost – While tuition fees shouldn’t vary too much for the same course, the kind of financial assistance and scholarships available to you may differ more substantially. Look for a university that offers scholarships and determine if you are eligible, some scholarships are only awarded to students in certain countries and regions.

  • International Student Support – Find a university that offers well-planned support for international students, as they can advise on essentials such as accommodation, student welfare, and post-graduate employment opportunities.

Admission requirements for New Zealand universities

Entry into a New Zealand university typically requires a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or an equivalent diploma or certificate depending on the course applied for. Non-native speakers will also require an overall IELTS (Academic) band score of 6.0, with no individual sub-score less than 5.5 as evidence of English language proficiency.

Those looking for postgraduate programs may need to meet additional entry requirements, such as prior knowledge in certain subjects, work experience, and the successful completion of an audition, portfolio, interview or test.

If you are applying for an MBA program in New Zealand, many universities will require you to have two to three years of work experience, a detailed curriculum vitae, statement of purpose and the contact details of your professional referees.

Begin your health and medical education in New Zealand with IDP. We will guide you through your options as well as the necessary application processes for universities and visas. Speak to our international education consultants now for free.

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