Our Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours is one of New Zealand's leading four-year business degrees, with its emphasis on global strategic thinking, leadership, innovation and practical industry experience.

This exceptional degree is aimed at top students who wish to become dynamic, future-focused business leaders, with the ability to tackle complex challenges facing major organizations and help contribute to creating a better world.

With the BMS(Hons), you'll get two rounds of practical work experience built into the programme. This gives you twice as many opportunities to test your skills in the real world by delivering projects for real organizations; based either in New Zealand or overseas if you wish.

In first year you’ll get a grounding in business fundamentals, from accounting, economics and finance through to digital business, marketing, strategy and supply chain management. This allows you to discover which career pathways you’re most passionate about.

Then in second year you'll specialise in up to two major subjects, take papers at a more advanced level, and start to see the bigger picture from a general management perspective.

Global exposure at postgraduate level

The BMS(Hons) includes a series of professional management papers at postgraduate level in years 3 and 4, which are designed to be challenging and inspiring. You’ll delve deeply into real-world issues faced by business leaders, such as managing risk and uncertainty.

Another exciting highlight of this degree is the opportunity to take part in an international study tour and visit businesses in another country. This unique travel experience will bring to life your understanding of global business practice and the complexities of working in international markets.

Through hands-on learning and real-life case studies, the BMS(Hons) will equip you to identify new commercial opportunities, develop effective business growth strategies in the global context, and build a culture of innovation within firms. You'll also learn about the barriers faced by smaller companies, and how to make them more profitable and efficient.

Executive mentoring

As you move through your degree you’ll be studying with the same cohort of students, helping to build professional networks and lifelong bonds. You’ll also receive mentoring/coaching from industry executives in the corporate world, who will help guide your career development.

Our graduates are highly regarded by employers and go on to become senior leaders at organisations around the world. You’ll graduate work-ready, with a well-rounded set of analytical, creative, leadership, problem-solving and communication skills to maximise your career opportunities.

Practical industry experience

Unlike most degrees, the BMS(Hons) includes two work-integrated learning papers, such as undertaking an internship with a relevant company or carrying out an applied business research project.

You’ll work on real-world case studies throughout your degree, drawing on your lecturers’ consultancy experience and strong business networks. We also invite guest lecturers from industry to share their insights.

In fourth year, teams of students will compete for cash prize to come up with the best growth strategies for a New Zealand firm as part of the Waikato Management School Case Competition.

Professional Accounting pathway

If you'd like to become a certified Professional Accountant (by joining either CA ANZ, CPA Australia or ACCA), you can use this degree to fast-track your journey and gain an internationally recognised qualification, by taking an approved suite of accounting and business papers. See further down this page for more details.

Top 1% global ranking

Gain your world-class business education from Waikato Management School, which ranks in the top 1% of all business schools globally with our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation from from EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB.

We’re also ranked in the world's top 300 universities for Accounting, Finance, and Business and Management Studies (QS World University Subject Rankings 2021).

Major subjects for this degree

Choose one of the following subjects as your 1st major:

• Accounting
• Digital Business
• Economics
• Finance
• Human Resource Management
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Strategic Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Tourism and Hospitality Management

You can opt to take a second major or 1-2 minors in almost any other undergraduate subject offered at the University of Waikato.

World-leading alumni

Join our community of world-leading alumni. You’ll be equipped to play a strong leadership role in society, following in the footsteps of inspirational alumni such as Avon CEO Jan Zigderveld, ASB Bank CEO Vittoria Short, General Motors Cruise Automation CEO Dan Ammann, former Telecom CEO and co-founder of My Food Bag Theresa Gattung, and Vista China CEO Lawrence Wang.

Career opportunities

• Accountant or auditor
• Banker (Commercial or investment)
• Business analyst
• Chartered Accountant
• CEO or General Manager
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• Customer experience manager
• Digital business or e-commerce manager
• Economist
• Entrepreneur
• Government policy adviser
• Human resource manager
• International trade advisor
• Logistics/Supply chain manager
• Management consultant
• Marketing manager
• Operations manager
• People and capability manager
• Policy analyst (eg. Treasury)
• Project manager
• Sharebroker
• Systems analyst
• Taxation advisor
• Tourism/hospitality manager