Best MBA Programs in New Zealand

The Best MBA Programs in New Zealand

Students looking to enroll in a Master’s in Business Administration degree are joining hundreds of thousands around the world in one of the most popular graduate programs on the planet. New Zealand is not an exception when it comes to the fact that business administration ranks as one of the top career paths for students [insert link to top fields of study in New Zealand article] around the world.

Many international businesspeople and students come to New Zealand to continue their education and help advance their careers through the country’s top-notch MBA programs and access to major international hubs, such as Christchurch and Aukland. Despite being geographically isolated from much of the world, it is a highly-connected country that is home to many international businesses, providing graduated MBA students with a wide range of career opportunities.

New Zealand’s universities offer a wide range of MBA programs and focuses, but with so many world-class programs to choose from, where do students begin their search? This might be a good place to start: we’ve compiled a list of New Zealand’s best MBA programs for…

...for the experienced businessperson

Some MBA programs are designed for students who have spent years building their resume and working their way up the “corporate ladder.” These universities offer MBAs structured in a manner that speaks to those who want to propel their already established career, rather than those just seeking to begin it. If you’re a businessperson with a history of success in the industry and you want to take your graduate education to New Zealand, the University of Canterbury might be for you.

The University of Canterbury’s MBA program has a focus on general management and aims to help students who have established themselves in the world of business become leaders of that world. It emphasizes management and leaderships skills through its internationally accredited courses, the rigor and renown of which have placed the university’s program in the top 5% of business schools on a global scale.

As New Zealand’s second-oldest university, the University of Canterbury has a prestige and established international reputation that makes its degrees among the most enviable and recognized in the world. The university is known for its high caliber in terms of research and teaching, ranking in the top 1% of universities worldwide.

Learn more about University of Canterbury’s MBA program here [link to Findcourse Canterbury profile when available].

...for the newbie

Some students prefer to move more quickly into their graduate programs, even coming directly from undergraduate coursework in certain cases. These students would prefer to enter the workforce with a higher degree in hopes that it will allow them to earn higher positions or salaries from the beginning of their time as a professional. If you’re more interested in this path of study and want to complete your MBA in New Zealand, the University of Waikato’s MBA program is probably for you.

The University of Waikato’s MBA program is internationally focused, with a strong focus on leadership development, as well as general management skills. Students enrolled in the program will take part in an international study tour, where they learn first-hand about doing business in other countries. International students in the program then gain experiences that take them abroad twice. Waikato Management School has held Triple Crown Accreditation from EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA since 2005 – an accomplishment achieved by fewer than 1% of the world's business schools.

The University of Waikato is a world-class institution that constantly continues to rise through the world ranks. In just four years, the university jumped 100 places, thanks to its ability to challenge, inspire, and prepare its students to lead progress and change. Its research is also ranked highest in New Zealand for quality and impact, tackling issues of national and global importance.

Learn more about University of Waikato, Waikato School of Management’s MBA program here.

...for the name recognition

In the world of business, there is no doubt that networking is one of the most important tools a professional can have. It can give them the edge over competition in the hiring process, introduce new opportunities, and inspire new solutions to challenges. A university with a trusted program and familiar name can be the first step to this network, and when it comes to New Zealand, no school is as renowned as the University of Auckland.

The University of Auckland offers a range of masters in business programs, with emphases on management, international business, professional accounting, and marketing. Throughout the masters program, students participate in courses designed to prepare them for the workplace and help them stand out in a competitive job market. Graduates will have a firm grasp on skills that can be applied across a number of different industries, depending upon which focus they have chosen in their degree.

New Zealand’s most highly-ranked university, the University of Auckland is 82nd in the world when it comes to quality of education. It is considered to be among the most innovative universities worldwide, teaching its students to find creative solutions to the world’s issues on every level. With over 40,000 students, it is the largest university in new Zealand, with eight faculties spread across 6 campuses.

Learn more about University of Auckland’s MBA program here.

...You

This part is where you come in. Weighing the pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses, focuses and emphases of different universities can be a challenging task. Be sure to consider your top priorities – whether you want to study for one year or two, what your budget looks like, and where you would like you see yourself post-graduation – before making your final decision and sending in your applications.

It’s a big decision, but whatever you choose, the breadth and quality of MBA programs in New Zealand provide the perfect place to begin or continue your career once you’ve completed your chosen MBA program.

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