Master of Commerce - The University of Auckland

Programme overview

Deepen your expertise in a subject area you care about through the Master of Commerce (MCom) and grow your academic or professional career. You can choose one of three pathways within our new, revitalised programme, depending on the type of project you’d like to undertake, your appetite for research and your career directions:

A longer supervised research project
A smaller research project along with extra courses
A consulting project with a New Zealand business organisation (applied research)

If you’re considering business consulting or other professional careers, our new applied research pathway (180-point MCom) enhances your research and consultancy skills to prepare you for those roles.

As well as the new pathway options in our restructured and updated MCom programme, we also have exciting new courses such as: Responsible Business, Economic Development and Wellbeing, Financial Machine Learning, and Information and Digital Economy.

You’ll cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to tackle complex challenges and thrive in a dynamic work landscape.

If you’re considering an academic career, the 120-point MCom, which is a one-year thesis, is available if you qualify. This will enable you to specialise at an advanced level and pursue a PhD.

Specialisations: Accounting, Commercial Law, Economics, Finance, Global Management and Innovation, Information Systems, Marketing, and Operations and Supply Chain Management.

Programme structure

The MCom is a 120 or 180-point, advanced, specialist masters degree that builds on an undergraduate degree in the same discipline.

The 180-point MCom is a 15 or 18-month specialist masters combining coursework and a research component in the form of a short dissertation (60 points), a research project (30 points) or an applied research consultancy project (30 points).

If you have completed a BCom(Hons) or equivalent, you may be eligible to undertake a 120-point MCom degree by research comprising a supervised thesis.

You can view the detailed programme structure and requirements on page 278 of the programme regulations.

Note: Students enrolling in the MCom 180- point programme are required to achieve a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in the first 60 points of taught courses.

Find out more about thesis and dissertation enrolment.

A high performance in the BCom(Hons) or MCom (120 or 180-point) enables you to apply for a doctoral programme. However, the Master of Commerce with an applied research consultancy project (30 points) does not lead to a doctoral programme.

Note: Semester Two start is available for the 120-point masters as well as for selected courses within the 180-point masters. Please contact Student Hubs for advice.

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.

Semester 1 60 points

Code:

ACCTG 701

Name:

Research Methods in Accounting

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

BUSINESS 713

Name:

Responsible Business

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

ACCTG 711

Name:

Financial Accounting Research

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

ACCTG 709

Name:

Sustainability Accounting Research

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts

Semester 2 60 points

Code:

ECON 720

Name:

Econometric Methods

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

ACCTG 702

Name:

Governance Issues in Accounting

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

ACCTG 722

Name:

Research in Revenue and Cost Management

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

ACCTG 707

Name:

Applied Accounting Research

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts

Semester 3 60 points

Code:

ACCTG 788

Name:

Research Project

Type:

Research project

Points:

30 pts
Code:

ACCTG 714

Name:

Contemporary Auditing Research

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

ACCTG 721

Name:

Research in Management Control

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

University of Auckland Another tertiary institution

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. Accounting and finance specialisations require higher grades.

Study option

Taught 120 points

Grade required

GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) or Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce
Study option

Taught 180 points

Grade required

GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

Bachelor of Commerce

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

Taught 180 points Research 120 points

You must have completed a Bachelor of Commerce, including the prerequisites for your intended specialisation as detailed in the Schedule for the MCom. You will need a GPA of 5.0 in at least 60 points above Stage II in your intended specialisation.

Prerequisites are usually a major in your intended specialisation, but some specialisations have more specific requirements. You can find these in the MCom Schedule.

You must have completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) or Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce in the same field as your intended specialisation. You will need a GPA of 5.0 or higher.

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

The 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. Accounting and finance specialisations require higher grades.

Study option

Taught 180 points

Grade required

GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

An undergraduate degree
Study option

Research 120 points

Grade required

GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

One year of postgraduate study
Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

6.5

No bands less than 6.0.

See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

Taught 180 points Research 120 points

You must have completed an undergraduate degree in the same field as your intended specialisation at a recognised university (or similar institution). You will need a GPE of 5.0.

You must have completed one year of postgraduate study, following an undergraduate degree, at a recognised university (or similar institution). Your study must have have been in the same field as your intended specialisation and you will need a GPE of 5.0.

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

The 120 point MCom may start in either semester, depending on department approval.

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025: 8 December 2024

Semester Two 2025: 4 July 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

2025

Semester One

Starts – 3 March

Ends – 30 June

Semester Two

Starts – 21 July

Ends – 17 November

2026

Semester One

Starts – 2 March

Ends – 29 June

Semester Two

Starts – 20 July

Ends – 16 November

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

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?

An MCom allows you to further your undergraduate business qualification through specialised study at an advanced postgraduate level. You will be prepared for specialist positions in the public and private sector or to pursue further advanced study.

Jobs related to this programme

Business policy adviser
Chief financial officer
Corporate advisor or valuer
Data communications specialist
Financial manager in a manufacturing, service or consultancy organisation
Multinational funds manager
Security assessor
Software engineer

Willem is a senior analyst at consultancy firm, Castalia Advisors. This skills he learned from the Master of Commerce have been invaluable to his career.

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.

Our Business School ASB Careers Centre will help get your career in business off to a strong start. You can access programmes, workshops and one-on-one support. You will be given opportunities to network with employers to increase your knowledge of the local business environment. Visit the Business School ASB Careers Centre.

Experience the University

Specialist knowledge, real-world skills

Lecturer Dr Sharlene Biswas and alumnus Michael Wells talk on the value and application of the Master of Commerce to the real-world business setting.

Discover Michael's journey

Do you need help?

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

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Master of Commerce MCom

Programme overview

Programme structure