Postgraduate Programmes

 

Overview

As the marketing world becomes more sophisticated, research skills are becoming increasingly sought after by employers. More graduates and business professionals are enhancing their qualifications and career prospects with postgraduate study, along the way learning valuable research skills. With our research performance ranked in the top two of all New Zealand universities, the Department of Marketing has the resources and expertise to help you do this.

Research is challenging, but can be fun as well as highly rewarding. Some students gain valuable teaching experience while they study. They also attend regular departmental research seminars, obtaining substantial peer review and feedback. Senior research students may also be able to attend appropriate international conferences to present and receive informed feedback on their work.

Facilities for postgraduate Marketing Management students include dedicated desk-space and access to eight computer labs, all equipped with the latest software.

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Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)

The paper-based DipGrad is a full-time course taught over one-year, or part-time over more than one year. It is a very flexible qualification and can be structured to meet your requirements.

It's a good choice if you're looking for:

To enrol for a DipGrad, you'll be expected to have a degree or a diploma from a New Zealand university, or provide satisfactory evidence of appropriate training and experience.

If you are interested in finding out more about our DipGrad programme, please contact Dr Ben Wooliscroft (Marketing Department contact) or Dr Willem Labuschagne, Director of the Diploma for Graduates Programme.

Further information about the Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad) is available elsewhere on the University website.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce (PGDipCom)

The PGDipCom, endorsed in Marketing Management, is a full-time course taken over one year, or part-time over more than one year, up to three years. It's flexible and can be structured to meet your requirements.

If you've graduated with a BCom in Marketing Management (with a minimum B grade average across 4 x 300-level papers including MART 301 and 302), DipGrad or equivalent, this diploma offers you a chance to gain a higher qualification. Its status is similar to the BCom(Hons) degree and it may be awarded with distinction or credit.

You may choose from any of the 400-level papers on offer, subject to the approval of Dr Ben Wooliscroft. If you're considering continuing on to a Master of Commerce or Master of Business degree, your diploma must include MART 431, 432, and 433.

Further information about the Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce (PGDipCom) is available elsewhere on the University website.

 

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Master of Commerce (MCom) - endorsed in Marketing Management

The Master of Commerce is a 1-2 year programme, involving the completion of a thesis prepared under supervision, or a combination of coursework and thesis. The MCom degree allows for the development of individual research, giving students the opportunity to contribute to existing fields or to begin to develop new areas of research.

Students who have a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) will complete the MCom by papers and thesis (at least two years’ full-time study). The first year consists of a selection of papers worth 144 points, leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce (PGDipCom).

Students who have a good Honours degree or a PGDipCom (or equivalent qualification) can complete a MCom by thesis only (minimum one year). The programme can also be undertaken part-time, to be completed within four years.
Research topics are chosen in consultation with MCom Director, Dr Ben Wooliscroft.

Further information about the Master of Commerce (MCom) is available elsewhere on the University website.

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Master of Business (MBus) - endorsed in Marketing Management

The Master of Business is a professionally-oriented 18 month programme comprising coursework and an applied research project. The MBus provides students with the opportunity to apply academic theory to a real-world business problem, often working alongside a business or an organisation.

The programme normally takes a full-time student 15-18 months to complete. Students can also complete the programme part-time (within 3 years). Students are required to complete a number of 400-level advanced coursework papers and an independent research project. Students must achieve sufficient grades in their coursework in order to progress onto the research project component of the programme.

Entry in to the MBus programme usually is in the 1st semester, though it is possible to start at the beginning of the 2nd semester. Most students complete the coursework component over the usual University year (i.e. semesters one and two), and the research component over the summer holiday period or during the 1st semester of the following year.

Note – the regulations for the Master of Business are currently under review.

Research topics are chosen in consultation with MBus Director, Dr John Guthrie.

Further information about the Master of Business (MBus) is available elsewhere on the University website.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

If you’re considering an academic career in Marketing Management, you’ll need a PhD.

The PhD is a specialised thesis-only degree and differs from a Master’s degree thesis in scope, depth and originality. It’s more rigorous and demanding and represents significant independent research. It’s likely to take three or four years, but often takes longer; especially if you teach as well (you must complete the degree within a six year period). You may also need to enrol in courses to improve knowledge or skills relevant to your research.

MCom students may apply to upgrade to a PhD if the scope and quality of their research justifies it.

For further information, please contact PhD Director, Professor Janet Hoek.

Further information about the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is available elsewhere on the University website.

Research Supervision

If you wish to pursue a postgraduate qualification in marketing at Otago and the research and supervision expertise of our staff is the ‘fit’ is right then please get in touch with one or more of us.