Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours

Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours

The Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours is changing.

Thinking about enroling in Bachelor of Management Studies in 2017? Check out the current information.

Gain the management expertise and leadership qualities you need to become a globally-minded manager, with New Zealand's most comprehensive business degree.

Waikato's Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours is New Zealand's premier four-year business degree - our graduates are highly regarded by employers in the private and public sectors.

Top business leaders need a well-rounded understanding of all the key areas of management, and that's exactly what this comprehensive degree delivers to maximize your career opportunities.

The BMS(Hons) is an ideal choice for those who are looking to develop a broad range of business, financial and people skills.

The 'Business Fundamentals' papers at the heart of this degree provide an introduction to all the key areas of management, including accounting, economics, finance, strategic management, marketing, digital business, and supply chain.

You have the flexibility to specialize in up to three different subjects, known as 'Majors' (eight papers) and 'Minors' (four papers).

You can also use this degree to fast-track your journey towards becoming a Chartered Accountant, by taking a specific suite of professional accounting papers recognized by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

The BMS(Hons) degree will hone your abilities to identify new market opportunities, strategize for future growth, make business operations more efficient and profitable, lead teams of people, and build a culture of innovation to help firms thrive in a competitive global environment.

You’ll learn about some of the challenges faced by smaller firms, and the cultural complexities of doing business across national borders. We also teach you about sustainable business practices, and how companies can contribute to creating a better world.

During your final honors year, you will build on your skills by gaining industry experience in the workplace, or by completing a research dissertation in your specialist subject area.

Waikato has an international reputation

You'll be studying at Waikato Management School, which is ranked in the top 1% of business schools globally, having achieved Triple Crown Accreditation from EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB in 2005. This is a global benchmark of excellence in teaching and research.

Waikato is also ranked in the world's top 150 universities for the teaching of Accounting, Finance and Business & Management Studies by the prestigious QS Subject Rankings.

Career opportunities

• Business analyst
• Chartered Accountant
• Chief executive officer (CEO)
• Economist
• Financial adviser
• Government policy adviser
• Human resource manager
• International trade negotiator
• Management consultant
• Managing director
• Marketing manager
• Operations manager
• Project manager

Exchange programme and study abroad

Prepare yourself for a global career and broaden your horizons by going on a student exchange to one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, North America or Mexico.

You can take an overseas study exchange for 1-2 semesters, pay your usual Waikato fees, and credit the points back to your BMS(Hons) degree. Contact the University of Waikato Student Exchange team to find out more.

Management students can apply for the Waikato Management School International Exchange Scholarship, offered twice a year and worth up to $2,500.

From the second year, you can apply for the Discover SWUFE International Summer Camp Scholarship, which provides a fully-funded trip to China for two weeks of business lectures and cultural activities, hosted by the South-Western University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE).

Cultural experience

Waikato Management School has a vibrant student culture that offers plenty of social and learning opportunities.

You can meet like-minded people through student clubs, such as:

• Waikato Management School Students' Association (WMSSA)
• Beta Alpha Psi - Waikato Chapter (Accounting club)
• Economics Discussion Group
• Management Communication Students Association (MCSA)
• Te Ranga Ngaku - the Māori management student network
• Pacific Islands Management Students Association (PIMSA)
• Innovation Station Waikato
• Social Innovation Waikato

We offer a student mentor programme for first-year management students to help you make the academic transition from high school to university.

For expert advice on writing essays and reports, contact our team of specialist teachers in the WMS Language and Learning Development Unit, located in the Management Student Centre (MSB1.50).

Practical experience

During lectures, students will discuss case studies of New Zealand and overseas businesses, begin to apply key business theories and concepts to solve real problems and work in teams to write reports and give presentations.

You'll gain strong analytical and problem-solving skills; team-work, communication and interpersonal skills, and a holistic understanding of the global business environment.

• In the first-year paper 'Fundamentals of Successful Marketing', you'll compete against other teams to come up with the best idea for an innovative new product.
• BMS(Hons) students will act as management consultants and apply the business theories they’ve learned in class to develop a growth strategy for a real New Zealand company, with the chance to win a cash prize. For more details see Waikato Management School Case Competition.
• In the fourth year, you'll choose whether to gain industry experience by working for a relevant host organization; or undertake an applied research project for a local business.

Admission and enrolment

You're eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours if you have University Entrance or its equivalent. All other applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you don't meet the admission criteria, please contact [email protected], as there may be other pathways you can take to study at the University of Waikato.