Duration
Available locations
Programme type

Programme overview

Join the community of learners at New Zealand’s most innovative university and leading business school.

The Master of Business Development is designed for early- to mid-career professionals engaged in business development. You will gain knowledge and expertise in business development while building practical skills and capabilities in your chosen specialisation, positioning you to take the next step in your career.

Business development focuses on expanding the business by:

  • Developing new products or services
  • Modifying or enhancing existing products or services
  • Entering new markets
  • Partnering or developing strategic alliances

This programme offers a choice of specialisations from:

You will sharpen your knowledge and skills in customer insight, market assessment and translating business-to-technical requirements. You will also study the latest trends in sustainable product management, resource allocation, developing business cases, monitoring product performance and many other topics.

Study this programme online

The programme will be offered online through Auckland Online. You will be immersed in a rich, flexible and interactive learning environment that is designed to help you to learn and to develop professional skills in business development.

Download our flyer with information on programme pathways.

Programme structure

Courses are delivered over  10-week quarters, with any final examinations held in week 11.

Each 15-point course  requires 150 learning hours. You should expect to undertake 150 hours of course-related activities over the 10 teaching weeks; i.e., about 15 hours per week.

Course-related activities will include a range of activities, including individual and group-based work, assignments, readings, seminars, discussion groups, problem clinics. There will be a mix of online synchronous and asynchronous delivery. There will normally be no more than three hours a week of synchronous activities.

180 points: Taught

You will complete 180 points part-time, comprising ten 15-point courses and a 30-point capstone project. You can choose to enrol in 15 or 30 points per quarter to accommodate your other commitments.

Part I: Perspectives on business development

Part I sets the scene for how your role in business development links to and works with the wider organisation and its markets. You will gain the knowledge, skills and language to work effectively across an organisation.

Requirement:*

60 points (four courses) from:

  • Managing in a Changing World (BUSDEV 711)
  • Financial Management (BUSDEV 712)
  • Sustainable Value Chains (BUSDEV 713)
  • Managing Creativity and People (BUSDEV 714)
  • Contemporary Marketing (BUSDEV 715)

Part II: Specialisation

Part II allows students to focus on the specialisation of Innovation and Product Management. It consists of 60 points (four courses). Refer to the specialisation section on this page to view the course schedule.

Part III: Capstone and applied project

The programme culminates with a capstone applied project in business development delivered through an interdisciplinary team. Before undertaking the project, you will complete two courses designed to build your capabilities in managing yourself, your team, and collaborative projects.

Requirement:*

60 points:  

  • Personal and Team Leadership (BUSDEV 780)
  • Managing Collaborative Projects (BUSDEV 781)
  • Capstone Project (BUSDEV 782A)
  • Capstone Project (BUSDEV 782B)

120-points: Taught
 
Graduates of relevant bachelors honours degrees or the Postgraduate Diploma in Business from this University with a GPA of 4.0 or higher may be eligible to enter at Part 2 and complete a 120-point pathway.
 
You will complete 120 points comprising six 15-point courses and a 30-point capstone project. These will include 60 points in Part II and 60 points in Part III including the capstone project.

* Note: All courses are 15 points each. The Capstone Project consists of BUSDEV 782A and BUSDEV 782B, equivalent to 30 points.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

180 points: Taught - Note: This is a sample structure only for the Innovation and Product Management specialisation.

Part 1 60 points

  • Code:
    BUSDEV 711
    Name:
    Business in a Changing World
    Type:
    Core taught
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    BUSDEV 712
    Name:
    Financial Management
    Type:
    Core taught
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    BUSDEV 713
    Name:
    Sustainable Value Chains
    Type:
    Core taught
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    BUSDEV 715
    Name:
    Contemporary Marketing
    Type:
    Core taught
    Points:
    15 pts

Part 2 60 points

  • Code:
    BUSDEV 721
    Name:
    Innovation Management and Strategy
    Type:
    Specialisation course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    BUSDEV 722
    Name:
    New Product Development Processes
    Type:
    Specialisation course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    BUSDEV 723
    Name:
    Product Management
    Type:
    Specialisation course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    BUSDEV 724
    Name:
    Designing for Sustainability
    Type:
    Specialisation course
    Points:
    15 pts

Part 3 60 points

  • Code:
    BUSDEV 780
    Name:
    Personal and Team Leadership
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    BUSDEV 781
    Name:
    Managing Collaborative Projects
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    BUSDEV 782
    Name:
    Capstone Project
    Type:
    Research project
    Points:
    30 pts

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 4.0

    Bachelor’s degree

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 4.0

    You must have completed a relevant bachelors degree (no minimum GPA required), or the Postgraduate Diploma in Business, Administration, Business Development or māori Business Development from this University with a GPA of 4.0 or higher.

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have completed a relevant bachelors degree with a GPA of 4.0 or higher in at least 90 points of the most advanced courses taken
or
a relevant bachelors degree and passed 60 points in the Postgraduate Certificate in Business Development from this University with a GPA of 4.0 or higher, provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded.

Note: A relevant bachelors degree may be in business, engineering, health sciences, humanities, sciences or technology.

You must have completed a relevant bachelors degree, or the Postgraduate Diploma in Business, in Administration, in Business Development or in Māori Business Development from this University with a GPA of 4.0 or higher.

In addition, you must have gained at least three years’ relevant work experience.

Note: A relevant bachelors degree may be in business, engineering, health sciences, humanities, sciences or technology.

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 4.0

    An undergraduate degree

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 4.0

    One year of postgraduate study in Business

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    N/A

    See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have completed an undergraduate degree in business, engineering, humanities, sciences or technology at a recognised university (or similar institution).

In addition, you must have gained at least three years’ relevant work experience.

You must have completed one year of postgraduate study in Business following an undergraduate degree at a recognised university (or similar institution).

In addition, you must have gained at least three years’ relevant work experience.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Master of Business Development cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$10,342.80*
International students
NZ$43,658 – $45,404*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $9.24 per point, estimated at $1,108.80 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Application closing dates

Quarter Two 2025
2 February 2025
Quarter Four 2025
1 July 2025
For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

For enquiries and advice, please email Auckland Online at: online.auckland@auckland.ac.nz

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to undertake more business development-orientated work or a full business development role, and to advance from a purely functionalist or specialist role.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Business Owner-Manager
  • Entrepreneur
  • Innovation Manager
  • Lead Scientist/Researcher/Engineer
  • Product Development/NPD Manager
  • Product Management Consultant

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

button for easy access to information about this qualification button for easy access to information about this qualification

Experience the University

Business Development is about growing the business

Learn about business development issues and how these affect customers and markets and undertake a real-word business development project.

Do you need help?

AskAuckland

Your online help and support centre. Search our frequently asked questions.

Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

Our student support team is here to help. Use our online contact form.

Need to speak to someone?

You can phone us directly.

Auckland
923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513