Help businesses make better decisions
Learn to turn information and ideas into smart business solutions with a Master of Professional Business Analysis (MBusAn). This programme prepares you to bridge the gap between business and technology. You’ll learn to understand stakeholder needs, improve business processes, design effective systems, and use data to inform decisions. This prepares you for careers in business analysis, systems analysis, consulting, and digital innovation.
It’s an ideal degree if you’re a recent graduate with any Bachelor’s degree or a professional with some business experience looking to move into a role that connects business strategy with technology and data. Graduates find roles in business analysis, consultancy, systems analysis, and project management.
You’ll graduate with a globally recognised qualification from one of New Zealand’s leading universities. You’ll build international networks, strengthen your communication skills, and boost your prospects in global job markets.
Explore the Master of Professional Business Analysis
Who can study for this qualification
The MBusAn is a practical, industry-focused qualification, not a research-based one. It’s designed to prepare you for professional roles in information management—especially if you don’t have a background in information systems.
The MBusAn builds on your previous academic or professional experience to give you the specific knowledge and analytical skills needed for business analysis roles.
It suits you if:
- you have a degree in another field but want to move towards business analysis or related roles at the intersection of business, technology, and data
- you’re a professional with some business experience, but want to change career direction towards business systems analysis or digital transformation.
What you’ll learn
This qualification teaches you the practical skills you need for a career in business analysis, data analytics, systems analysis, and project management. You’ll learn to communicate clearly with stakeholders, manage change, and critically analyse how to improve organisational performance.
For example, the MBusAn builds your expertise in:
- stakeholder engagement and digital project management
- design thinking, business process analysis, and modelling
- digital strategy and innovation, and digital architecture
- data analytics and insights, and digital transformation consulting.
While the MBusAn includes a course in data analytics, it is not a specialised business data analytics qualification. If that’s what you’re looking for, check out our Master of Data Science.
How you’ll study
The Master of Professional Business Analysis is a four-trimester, coursework-based degree that emphasises hands-on engagement and group work. It includes practical learning experiences with instructors, industry experts, and peers.
We deliver most of the coursework on campus and minimise online learning. You’ll study through weekly tutorials, video content, in-person seminars, and practical group activities like workshops and team-based tasks. These help to build your understanding of business analysis concepts, while developing job-ready skills.
Coursework
The MBusAn programme comprises 11 courses in total—eight core courses and three electives.
In your core courses, you’ll learn:
- modelling and design techniques used by business analysts
- the role of IT in supporting the management and design of business processes
- data analytics principles and techniques, including data extraction, visualisation, and predictive analytics
- how enterprise goals and strategy align with business processes, data, information systems, and technical infrastructure
- to analyse and design digital business models, digital innovations, and digital strategy
- IT project management and risk management tools and skills
- intervention tools and techniques to use when assessing an organisation and undertaking change projects
- how to develop and manage enterprise architectures.
Industry project
In your final trimester, you carry out a joint project (MBUA 532) where you work with industry partners, an academic supervisor, and your classmates. This intensive hands-on project consolidates your learning and develops teamwork and client-facing skills while giving you practical work experience.
You need to be in Wellington for this project. If this is difficult for you, talk with us to find a solution before you enrol—in exceptional circumstances, you might be able to participate remotely.
How long you’ll study
The length of the MBusAn varies with your start date. Starting in Trimester 2 lets you complete the programme in one year (three trimesters), while starting in Trimester 1 takes one and a half years (four trimesters).
Part-time study option for domestic students
Part-time domestic students take their electives at the end of their studies to complete the degree in five or six trimesters (about two to two and a half years).
The mentorship programme opened the door to industry events where I could connect the theory I'd learnt to practice.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
Get in touch and a copy of our prospectus, or get in touch directly with our Recruitment Manager, Jade Chiam.
Email: jade.chiam@vuw.ac.nz
Research an area that interests you
Your final project involves practical research and design for a client in a real business setting, on a topic agreed between you, the Faculty, and the client. Although your final research conclusions and output are shared with the client, they won’t be published.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MBusAn degree shall have:
(i) completed an appropriate Bachelor’s degree to the equivalent of at least a B– average standard; and
(ii) been accepted by the Academic Programme Leader as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) of the Wellington School of Business and Government for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Note: Students with a qualification in Information Systems (or a similar subject) or with substantial experience in business analysis in industry will not normally be accepted into the programme.
Qualification requirements
This programme equips you to work as an entry-level business analyst. It is not suitable for those who have completed a degree majoring in Information Systems or previously worked as a business analyst.
2. The course of study for the Master of Professional Business Analysis shall consist of courses worth 180 points, comprising:
(i) Business and Systems Analysis (MBUA 510), Business Process Design (MBUA 511), Data, Analytics & Insights (MBUA 512), Leading Digital Projects and Solutions (MBUA 513), Digital Architecture (MBUA 514), Digital Innovation and Strategy (MBUA 515), Digital Transformation Consulting Practice (MBUA 531), Business Analysis Project (MBUA 532)
(ii) 45 further approved points from the schedules to the Master of Global Business, the Master of Professional Accounting, the Master of Actuarial Science and the Master of Business (Professional) regulations, or approved 400- or 500-level substitutes.
3. (a) A candidate shall normally be enrolled for at least three trimesters and shall complete the degree within four years of first enrolling in the programme.
(b) A candidate who has failed two or more courses, or any course twice, may continue in the programme only with the permission of the Academic Programme Leader.
Future careers
The MBusAn gives you a broad but unique skill set that employers in technology, business, and professional services need. You’ll graduate with a globally recognised degree and the skills to work in business analysis across industries in New Zealand and overseas.
Your ability to analyse existing systems and streamline business processes leads naturally to roles that guide organisations through strategic and technological change, like:
- business analyst or business process consultant
- change manager
- product owner
- digital transformation consultant.
Our graduates work across the public and private sector organisations like banks, government departments and agencies, and IT services and consulting companies.
More career information
Find out more about careers in business analysis.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Wellington School of Business and Government scholarships
The School keeps a list of scholarships and other awards to support study within its interest areas.
Scholarships and awards — Wellington School of Business and Government
Scholarships for business
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This scholarship is open to Pasifika students intending to enrol in a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Master’s degree in Business at the Wellington School of Business and Government. Applicants are expected to have met the admissions requirements for the qualification of interest. Applicants will be assessed on merit however preference may be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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Applicants must be of Māori descent, identify as female, enrolled or intending to enrol full-time or part-time in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme at Wellington School of Business and Government. Grade point average (GPA) or grade point equivalent (GPE) of at least 6.00 is required.
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for business
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This scholarship is to help students conduct research in the field of librarianship.
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This scholarship is open to Pasifika students intending to enrol in a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Master’s degree in Business at the Wellington School of Business and Government. Applicants are expected to have met the admissions requirements for the qualification of interest. Applicants will be assessed on merit however preference may be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
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The scholarship will be awarded to a student who is undertaking research at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington on the interactions and relationship between the public and private sectors in the area of policy and management.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Why Wellington
New Zealand’s capital city is a great place to study business analysis. It’s where you’ll find many potential future employers. The campus where we teach this programme—Pipitea— is in the central business district, right among the businesses and government agencies that are often the clients for course projects.
You’ll also live in a stimulating, student-friendly environment where getting around is easier, nature is close by, and transport is easy.
Study for a PhD
If you do well in your Master’s degree and show an aptitude for advanced research, you’ll be able to apply to do a PhD.
You’ll carry out original and sustained research under supervision from world-class academics in the Wellington School of Business and Government. As a PhD candidate, you’ll also be supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.
Academic staff research areas
Jocelyn Cranefield
Associate Professor
Cathal Doyle
Senior Lecturer
Andreas Drechsler
Senior Lecturer in Information Systems
Markus Luczak-Roesch
Chair in Complexity Science
Michael Winikoff
Professor
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.