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Master of Business (MBus)

Overview
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Business (MBus)
Subject Areas
Applications
Programme Requirements

Overview

The Master of Business (MBus) degree is a professionally-oriented specialist qualification designed to meet the needs of both employers and students. It consists of two semesters of papers and a nine-month thesis. To be eligible to undertake this programme you must be a graduate in commerce, business studies or an equivalent area, or possess appropriate experience. The MBus degree provides advanced study including an applied research topic. The thesis reports on an applied research project based on contemporary theory from the academic literature.

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Regulations for the Degree of Master of Business (MBus)

1 Admission to the Programme

(a) Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce) who must be satisfied that the applicant has the ability and experience to complete the degree.

(b) Every applicant must either

(i) be a graduate in Commerce, Business Studies or the equivalent, or

(ii) be a graduate with alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce).

(c) No applicant will be admitted to a programme of study for the degree in a subject in which he or she has previously been awarded an honours degree or postgraduate diploma.

2 Structure of the Programme

(a) The degree may be awarded in any of the subjects listed below.

(b) The programme of study shall be as described for the subject concerned in the subjects listed below.

(c) A candidate shall, before commencing the investigation to be described in the thesis, secure the approval of the Head of Department concerned for the topic, the supervisor(s) and the proposed course of the investigation.

(d) A candidate may not present a thesis which has been accepted for another degree.

3 Duration of the Programme

(a) A candidate shall follow the taught course of study at the University of Otago for one academic year followed by the completion of a research thesis.

(b) A full-time candidate shall complete the research thesis within nine months, and a part-time candidate within 18 months.

4 Withdrawal from the Programme

A candidate who wishes to withdraw from the programme may apply to qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce or the Diploma for Graduates if all the requirements for those qualifications have been satisfied.

5 Examination of the Thesis

(a) The thesis shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.

(b) The candidate's supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Head of Department concerned.

(c) Each examiner shall supply a written report on the thesis and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the thesis as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options as specified in clause (d) below.

(d) The examiners may recommend that a thesis:

(i) be accepted without amendments;

(ii) be accepted subject to amendments being made at the discretion, and to the satisfaction, of the Head of Department concerned;

(iii) does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;

(iv) does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.

(e) Amendments (regulation 5)(d)(ii)) and revisions (regulation 5(d)(iii)) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Head of Department concerned.

(f) A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis for examination once only.

(g) If a revised and resubmitted thesis is finally accepted, the result shall be either 'Pass' or 'Fail' (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with Distinction or Credit.

(h) Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Head of Department concerned should so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce) or nominee who shall arrive at the decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.

(i) The weighted average of papers and thesis marks will determine the level of award of the degree, except in the case of a revised and resubmitted thesis.

6 Level of Award of the Degree

The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

7 Variations

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce) may in exceptional circumstances approve admission or a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.

Note: An application for admission to the programme is required; this is separate from the enrolment process. Applications should reach the Division of Commerce by 15 January. Late applications will be considered.

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Subject Areas

Applications

Application forms are available from the Office of the Dean, School of Business, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. Tel 64 3 479 8149, email business@otago.ac.nz

Programme Requirements