Dean's Senior Prize in the Master of Business Administration 2025

The Dean’s Senior Prize in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Auckland, offered through the Graduate School of Management within the Business School, is a prestigious award recognizing the most academically meritorious student completing the MBA program in the 2025-2026 academic year. Established to honor excellence in academic performance, the prize is awarded to the student who achieves the highest academic standing upon fulfilling the 180-point MBA degree requirements. The University of Auckland, ranked #65 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and #1 in New Zealand, offers a triple-accredited MBA (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) delivered online or on-campus, designed for mid- to senior-level executives and entrepreneurs. The program emphasizes leadership, strategic management, and global business insights, with a capstone project involving real-world business challenges. The Dean’s Senior Prize celebrates outstanding achievement in this rigorous, globally recognized program.

To be eligible for the Dean’s Senior Prize in the Master of Business Administration 2025-2026, candidates must:

• Be enrolled in and complete the requirements for the 180-point Master of Business Administration program at the University of Auckland in the 2025-2026 academic year (intakes: January, April, July, or September 2025).

• Achieve the highest academic performance, as measured by the Weighted Average Mark (WAM) or Grade Point Average (GPA) across all MBA courses, upon program completion.

• Meet all MBA degree requirements, including:

  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.0/9.0 (approximately 65% or B average) in the highest-level courses.

  • At least 3 years of postgraduate full-time work experience in a relevant professional or managerial role (average for Class of 2025: 8 years).

  • Completion of 180 points, including core courses (e.g., operational and strategic management, macroeconomics, microeconomics) and the MBA Capstone Project.

• Be enrolled in either the online or on-campus MBA program (the prize is not specific to delivery mode).

• Exclusions:

  • Students enrolled in other Business School programs (e.g., Postgraduate Diploma in Business, Master of Applied Finance, Master of Business Analytics) are not eligible.

  • Students who fail to complete the MBA program in 2025-2026 or do not meet academic progression requirements are ineligible.

  • There are no nationality restrictions; both domestic and international students are eligible.

• Value: The prize amount is not publicly specified in available sources but is typically a monetary award (e.g., NZD $500–$2,000, based on similar University of Auckland prizes) or a certificate of recognition.

• Additional Benefits:

  • Official recognition on the student’s academic transcript.

  • Publication of the recipient’s name on the University of Auckland’s prize winners webpage.

  • A certificate presented at a formal awards ceremony or via mail.

• Disbursement: Awarded upon MBA program completion and confirmation of the highest academic standing by the Graduate School of Management, typically in early 2026.

• Duration: One-time award, non-renewable.

• Note: The prize does not cover tuition fees (NZD $64,185 for domestic students, NZD $76,115 for international students in 2025-26) or living expenses (estimated at NZD $20,000–$25,000/year). It is a recognition award rather than a financial aid scholarship.

• No Application Required: The Dean’s Senior Prize is automatically awarded to the most academically meritorious student completing the MBA program, based on academic performance (WAM/GPA).

• Steps:

  1. Apply for the MBA Program: Submit a complete application for the Full-Time or Online MBA via the University of Auckland online portal (www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/apply-and-enrol) for one of the 2025 intakes (January, April, July, or September).

  2. Submit MBA Application Documents:

     • Official academic transcripts and degree certificates (bachelor’s degree or equivalent).

     • CV detailing at least 3 years of relevant work experience.

     • Personal statement outlining career goals, leadership experience, and reasons for pursuing the MBA.

     • Two professional references.

     • English proficiency scores for non-native speakers (e.g., IELTS 7.0 overall with no subskill below 6.5, TOEFL iBT 100).

     • GMAT or GRE scores (optional, but a score of 550+ strengthens candidacy).

     • For international students: Passport copy and financial documentation for New Zealand student visa.

  3. Complete MBA Program: Successfully complete all 180 points of the MBA program, including core courses and the MBA Capstone Project, maintaining the highest academic performance.

  4. Evaluation: The Graduate School of Management faculty and Dean’s committee assess academic records at the end of the academic year to determine the student with the highest WAM/GPA.

  5. Notification: The recipient is notified via email in early 2026, with recognition at an awards ceremony or via formal correspondence.

  6. Acceptance: No formal acceptance is required; the prize is automatically conferred upon confirmation of eligibility.

• For MBA Admission (used to assess eligibility for the prize):

  • Completed online MBA application form (via www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/apply-and-enrol).

  • Official academic transcripts and degree certificates.

  • CV detailing 3+ years of work experience.

  • Personal statement (500–700 words).

  • Two professional references.

  • English proficiency scores for non-native speakers (e.g., IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100).

  • GMAT or GRE scores (optional).

  • For international students: Passport copy and financial documentation.

• For Dean’s Senior Prize: No additional documents are required; eligibility is based on MBA academic performance.

• Note: Documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations. Unofficial documents are accepted initially, but official versions are required upon admission.

• Email: mba@auckland.ac.nz (MBA and prize inquiries); scholarships@auckland.ac.nz (general scholarship queries).

• Phone: +64 9 923 1535 (Graduate School of Management).

• Address: Graduate School of Management, University of Auckland Business School, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.

• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (NZST).

• Website: www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/find-a-study-option/mba