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BBus
Bachelor of Business

Be a business trailblazer and use your innovative thinking to help drive companies forward in a fast-paced world that is changing with a click.

BBus students

Our three-year Bachelor of Business will equip you with the flexible skills needed to work in today’s small to large enterprises, using your expertise to help them thrive, grow and succeed in the 21st century.

This degree is focused on developing New Zealand's business innovators and entrepreneurs of the future. Get set to take on highly skilled roles across a diverse range of industries – from agribusiness and logistics to tourism, professional services and the government.

In first year you’ll get a grounding in all the core areas of business, from accounting, economics and finance through to digital business, marketing, strategy and supply chain management.

Discover which career pathways you’re most passionate about, before specialising in up to two major subjects later on.

The Bachelor of Business will prepare you to play a crucial part in helping organisations run their operations in a responsible way, adapt to the needs of changing markets, and drive innovation processes to develop cutting-edge products or services.

You'll gain valuable insights into why companies need to be agile to survive in today's 24/7 global marketplace, and how to use the latest digital technologies to make an organisation more profitable and efficient.

With the Bachelor of Business, you’ll develop the bold and curious mindset that today’s employers are looking for, with a good mix of analytical, financial, decision-making, teamwork, project management and communication skills.

Top 1% global ranking

Gain your world-class business education from Waikato Management School, which is ranked #1 in New Zealand for Business & Economics in the Times Higher Education Rankings.

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

Practical industry experience

A key strength of the Bachelor of Business is that it includes a work-integrated learning paper in third year. You'll gain practical industry experience with an organisation - such as an internship or applied research project - and have the opportunity to test your skills in the real world.

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.

Through practical assignments, you’ll learn how to forecast changing customer demands, manage international supply chains, lead transformative business projects, work collaboratively in teams, and apply your critical thinking to find creative solutions for business problems.

Major subjects for this degree

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 your campus.

Professional Accounting pathway

If you'd like to become a certified Professional Accountant (by joining either CA ANZ, CPA Australia, CIMA or ACCA and passing their exams), you can use this internationally accredited degree to fast-track your journey by taking an approved suite of accounting and business papers.

Apply to enrol

Key information

Entry Requirements:

University Entrance, or its equivalent, or on a case-by-case basis.

Years: 3
Points: 360
BBus Study Locations:Hamilton, Tauranga
Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info.
Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Estimated Fees* (Domestic): $7,103 per year
See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year
Estimated Fees* (International): $32,725 per year
Entry Requirements: Undergraduate International
Area of Study:
*Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.

Degree Planner

Degree planner — Bachelor of Business (BBus) - Single Major

Year 1

100 Level
Major

100 Level
One of Business Fundamentals

100 Level
One of Business Fundamentals

100 Level
One of Business Fundamentals

100 Level
One of Business Fundamentals

100 Level
One of Business Fundamentals

100 level
Elective or Minor

100 Level
Elective or Minor

Year 2

200 Level
Major

200 Level
Major

200 Level
Major

100 Level or above
Elective or Minor

200 Level
Elective or Minor

200 Level
Elective or Minor

Year 3

300 Level
Major

300 Level
Major

300 Level
Major

300 Level
Major*

300 Level
Work-Integrated Learning paper

200 Level or above
Elective or Minor

200 Level or above
Elective or Minor

200 Level or above
Elective or Minor

  • Major
  • Field
  • Elective
This information is provisional and subject to change.

Required papers for BBus degree

Open this section to read more

Business Fundamentals papers:

  • ACCTN101 Accounting for Management
  • ECONS101 Business Economics and the New Zealand Economy
  • FINAN101 Introduction to Finance
  • MGSYS101 Digital Business and Supply Chain Management
  • MRKTG101 Fundamentals of Successful Marketing
  • STMGT101 Introduction to Management

*9th Major paper:

Students have the option to replace the 9th Major paper* in Year 3 with the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) paper* and count the WIL towards their major subject. This provides the flexibility to take any management paper at 300 Level instead.

Elective papers or Minor subjects:

You have the option to include one or two Minors in almost any subject offered at the University of Waikato in your degree, instead of taking elective papers. A Minor subject is worth four papers (60 points), including at least two papers above 100-level.

Work-Integrated Learning papers:

School of Accounting, Finance and Economics:
School of Management and Marketing:

Degree planner — Bachelor of Business (BBus) - Double Major

Year 1

100 Level
Major 1

100 Level
One of Business Fundamentals

100 Level
One of Business Fundamentals

100 Level
One of Business Fundamentals

100 Level
One of Business Fundamentals

100 Level
One of Business Fundamentals

100 Level
Major 2

100 Level
Major 2

Year 2

200 Level
Major 1

200 Level
Major 1

200 Level
Major 1

200 Level
Major 2

200 Level
Major 2

200 Level
Major 2

Year 3

300 Level
Major 1

300 Level
Major 1

300 Level
Major 1

100 Level or above
Any Management paper

300 Level
Work-Integrated Learning paper

300 Level
Major 2

300 Level
Major 2

300 Level
Major 2

  • Major
  • Field
  • Second Major
This information is provisional and subject to change.

Required papers for BBus

Open this section to read more

Business Fundamentals papers:

Choose at least five of the following six papers:

  • ACCTN101 Accounting for Management
  • ECONS101 Business Economics and the New Zealand Economy
  • FINAN101 Introduction to Finance
  • MGSYS101 Digital Business and Supply Chain Management
  • MRKTG101 Fundamentals of Successful Marketing
  • STMGT101 Introduction to Management

Work-Integrated Learning papers:

School of Accounting, Finance and Economics:
School of Management and Marketing:


You have the option to include one or two minors in almost any subject as part of your degree programme, instead of taking a 2nd Major or eight elective papers.

A minor is four papers (60 points) in the same subject. This includes a required paper at 100-level; another paper at 100-level or above; and two other papers at 200-level or above.


Career opportunities

  • Agri-consultant
  • Banker (investment or commercial)
  • Business analyst / consultant
  • Business development manager
  • CEO / General manager
  • Chartered accountant
  • Customer experience manager
  • Digital business or e-commerce manager
  • Economist
  • Entrepreneur
  • Financial advisor / analyst
  • Human resources manager
  • International trade advisor
  • Logistics / Supply chain manager
  • Marketing executive
  • Operations manager
  • Policy advisor / analyst (eg.government)
  • Portfolio or wealth manager
  • Project manager
  • Public relations manager
  • Sharebroker
  • Systems analyst
  • Tourism or hospitality manager

Nicole Davey I truly believe that you shouldn’t be afraid to have big dreams - hard work and having faith in your abilities will open the door to so many great opportunities.

Read stories from other Bachelor of Business students


Students can complete all three years of the Bachelor Business (BBus) at our new CBD campus in Tauranga.

For advice before you enrol in the Bachelor of Business, please contact the University of Waikato Tauranga Student Services team. Email [email protected] or phone 0800 WAIKATO.

Major subjects available in Tauranga

If you'd like to choose from a wider range of major subjects, you will need to transfer to our Hamilton campus instead.


Scholarships and prizes

Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships

Find your scholarship


Prepare yourself for a global business career and broaden your horizons by going on an overseas student exchange to one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, North America or Mexico. You can study overseas for 1-2 semesters, pay your usual Waikato tuition fees, and then credit the points back to your BBus degree.

An overseas exchange will enhance your personal development, enable you to explore new places and cultures, and make your CV stand out to employers.

Bachelor of Business students are strongly encouraged to apply for the Waikato Management School International Exchange Scholarship, offered twice a year and worth up to $2,500.

You can also 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).

If you’re planning to go to Asia, you can apply for a Prime Minister's Scholarship for Asia.


Top 1% global ranking

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

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

The export-driven Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions are an ideal place to study business if you're interested in international trade, with two seaports, two inland ports, an international airport, and some of the best agricultural land in New Zealand.

We're also home to a growing cluster of biotechnology, IT, aviation, manufacturing and logistics companies. And we boast some of New Zealand's most popular tourism destinations, such as Rotorua, 'Hobbiton' (Matamata) and Waitomo Caves.


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:

Check out the Waikato Management School Facebook page for the latest news and events.


Regulations for the BBus

Please refer above to the online degree planner for the BBus. You can also read the full Regulations for the Bachelor of Business in the University of Waikato Calendar.


Postgraduate study lets you develop advanced knowledge in an area of management that you are passionate about, giving you an edge in the job market.

Graduate-level programmes (100 to 300-level papers):

Postgraduate programmes (500-level papers):


Contacts

Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.

Student Centre
Phone: 0800 WAIKATO (0800 924 528) or 07 838 4176
Email: [email protected]

Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.

Phone: +64 7 8384610
Email: [email protected]

Enquire Now