Bachelor of Business
Unlock your potential with the new Bachelor of Business at Waikato, launching in 2024.
Real-world learning experiences, academic excellence, and flexible study options combine forces to supercharge your future career.

The Bachelor of Business takes you beyond the textbook to tackle real challenges facing companies, government, and community organisations today.
As New Zealand's #1 ranked business school, Waikato is proud to offer the best undergraduate business degree in the country. It's available at our campuses in both Hamilton and Tauranga.
Our BBus has been refreshed for 2024 to give students even more choices and flexibility, all underpinned by the same academic excellence our students have come to expect over the last 50 years.
What really sets this degree apart is the focus on practical experiences. You'll have the opportunity to tackle real business challenges through internships, projects, and our new optional Experience Modules - which are exclusive to Waikato Management School! This hands-on learning approach will provide invaluable insights that can supercharge your future career.
Today's employers are looking for graduates with an agile and curious mindset, who can lead, communicate, negotiate, problem solve, and collaborate with others. And that's exactly what this degree delivers. You'll also develop a solid mix of analytical, numeracy, financial and project management skills to set you up for success.
We've designed the Bachelor of Business so you have the flexibility to tailor your subjects and papers to match your learning style and career aspirations - no matter which of our 15 subjects you are most excited about!
At Waikato, you'll be taught by passionate lecturers who are also sought-after business consultants and researchers, with links to leading companies and government agencies. You will be empowered to think independently and work collaboratively, with interactive discussions and experiential learning. Class sizes tend to be smaller at Waikato, so our teaching staff will know your name and can provide extra support when you need it.
Once you graduate, you can use your expertise to help organisations become more efficient and profitable, adapt to fast-changing global markets, help develop new products and services, drive technological innovations, manage international supply chains, and thrive in the 21st century.
Real-world experiences
Connect with industry: The BBus includes a workplace internship or consulting project for a real organisation, based in New Zealand or overseas. This will give you practical business experience in your major subject/s, and allow you to grow your skills and confidence before you graduate.
Experience Modules: We are the only university in New Zealand offering our new Experience Modules, focused on specialist topics such as international business or Te Ao Māori business. These unique block courses are designed to enrich your student experence and give you a competitive edge in the job market. They will be offered in the teaching breaks between trimesters A, B and C. If you complete three Experience Modules, you'll receive credit for one 15-point paper at 200 Level.
Capstone paper: Your final year culminates with our legendary capstone paper, MNGMT321 Applied Business Challenge (previously known as the WMS Case Competition). You'll work in a team with other students to tackle a real-world case study of a New Zealand business that is looking to expand and grow. By bringing together your team's combined expertise, students will develop an innovative strategy for the business to increase its revenue and profits.
Learn from the best in the business
You can expect a world-class business education at Waikato Management School, which is ranked #1 in New Zealand for Business & Economics in the Times Higher Education Rankings in both 2022 and 2023.
Waikato is also in the top 1% of all business schools globally, thanks to our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation from EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB.
The Bachelor of Business provides a strong foundation across core business areas such as strategy and economics, along with advanced expertise in your specialist subjects, and cross-functional skills that are in high demand with employers.
In your first year you can choose from a selection of papers in accounting, finance, digital business, marketing, and supply chain management. This will help you discover which aspects of business you’re most passionate about, before deciding which subjects to focus on in your second year.
Tailored for your ambitions
Customise your degree to align with your career interests. Our degree structure lets you choose from one of 12 business first majors, including a brand-new major in Leadership.
You also have the freedom to add either a second major subject (8 papers) or two minor subjects (4 papers each) or up to 8 elective papers from any discipline that interests you across the University of Waikato - such as law, arts or science.
You can even opt to study a second degree alongside your BBus (eg. LLB, BA or BSc) - known as a conjoint or double degree - for a truly unique educational experience. This allows you to complete both degrees in a much shorter timeframe than if you had enrolled in them separately.
Major subjects for the BBus degree:
Choose one of the following subjects as your 1st major:
- Accounting (Tauranga and Hamilton)
- Agribusiness (Hamilton)
- Digital Business (Hamilton)
- Economics (Hamilton)
- Finance (Tauranga and Hamilton)
- Human Resource Management (Hamilton)
- Leadership (Hamilton)
- Marketing (Tauranga and Hamilton)
- Public Relations (Hamilton)
- Strategic Management (Tauranga and Hamilton)
- Supply Chain Management (Hamilton)
- Tourism and Hospitality Management (Hamilton)
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.
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): | $34,695 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 (360 pts)
Year 1
100 Level
Major
Choose one:
ACCTN101, FINAN101, MGSYS101, MRKTG101
Choose one:
ACCTN101, FINAN101, MGSYS101, MRKTG101
100 level
Elective or Minor
100 Level
Elective or Minor
Year 2
200 Level
Major
200 Level
Major
200 Level
Major
Choose one:
BUSAN201, BUSAN205, DIGIB201, MRKTG205
100 Level or above
Any WMS paper or 3 Experience Modules
200 Level
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
Work-Integrated Learning
200 Level or above
Elective or Minor
200 Level or above
Elective or Minor
200 Level or above
Elective or Minor
- Major
- Field
- Elective
Experience modules (worth 5 points each) will be offered in the teaching breaks between trimesters A, B and C. If you complete three experience modules, you will receive credit for one 15-point paper at 200 Level.
This information is provisional and subject to change.
Degree planner — Bachelor of Business (BBus) - Double Major (360 pts)
Year 1
100 Level
Major 1
Choose one:
ACCTN101, FINAN101, MGSYS101, MRKTG101
Choose one:
ACCTN101, FINAN101, MGSYS101, MRKTG101
100 Level
Major 2
100 Level
Major 2
Year 2
200 Level
Major 1
200 Level
Major 1
200 Level
Major 1
Choose one:
BUSAN201, BUSAN205, DIGIB201, MRKTG205
100 Level or above
Any WMS paper or 3 Experience Modules
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
300 Level
Work-Integrated Learning
300 Level
Major 2
300 Level
Major 2
300 Level
Major 2
- Major
- Field
- Second Major
Experience modules (worth 5 points each) will be offered in the teaching breaks between trimesters A, B and C. If you complete three experience modules, you will receive credit for one 15-point paper at 200 Level.
This information is provisional and subject to change.Choose a major
Recommended minors
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
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
Study in Tauranga
Students can complete all three years of the Bachelor Business (BBus) at our CBD campus in Tauranga.
Students can complete all three years of the Bachelor Business (BBus) at our 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
Exchange programme and study abroad
Expand to read about exchange programme and study abroad opportunities
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.
If you’re planning to go to Asia, you can apply for a Prime Minister's Scholarship for Asia.
Why study business at Waikato?
Top 1% global ranking Gain your world-class business education from Waikato Management School.
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.
Student experience at Waikato Management School
Waikato Management School has a vibrant student culture that offers plenty of social and learning opportunities.
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)
- Women in Business Association (WIBA)
- Beta Alpha Psi - Waikato Chapter (Accounting and Finance club)
- Waikato Economics Discussion Group
- Management Communication Students Association (MCSA) - for Public Relations and Marketing students
- Te Ranga Ngaku - the Māori management student network
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.
Graduate and Postgraduate Study
Expand to read Graduate and Postgraduate Study
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):
- Graduate Certificate (GradCert)
- Graduate Certificate in Project Management (GradCertPM)
- Graduate Diploma (GradDip)
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 7 807 9275 Email: [email protected]
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