Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours

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 organisations 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 organisations; 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.

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 the BMS(Hons) Study Tour and visit top organisations involved in international business. 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.

As you move through your degree you'll be studying with the same cohort of students, helping to build professional networks and lifelong bonds.

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.

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 into the classroom to share their insights.

If you'd like to become a certified Professional Accountant (by joining either CA ANZ, CPA Australia, CIMA 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.

Gain your world-class business education from Waikato Management School - New Zealand's leading business school. We are ranked #1 in the country for Business & Economics in the Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings for both 2022 and 2023.

Waikato is also in the top 1% of all business schools globally with our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation from from EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB.

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

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

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 ASB Bank CEO Vittoria Shortt, founder of Houston Technology Group Alan Chew, former Telecom CEO and co-founder of My Food Bag Theresa Gattung, and Kevin Kenrick, former CEO of TVNZ and now Chairman of Good George Brewing.