Most institutions have indicated that although they prefer that candidates have completed undergraduate degrees, they will seriously consider individuals who have had significant work and/or management experience and shown they can handle university graduate level study. A way of indicating ‘ability to perform in a graduate management education programme’ is through successfully completing the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT®). Several institutions allow admission to their diploma programme, which is stair-cased, potentially, to the MBA.

Cultural background. Place of birth is one of several indicators of cultural background. In 2007, approximately 60% of the entering MBA students were born outside New Zealand. In 2007, the full-time AIS St Helens International MBA reported the largest percentage (100%) of students born outside New Zealand while the Massey MBA reported the smallest percentage (26%).

Approximately 62% of the entering students had international work experience. AIS St Helens (100%) and the Auckland MBA (79%) reported the highest percentages. The Massey MBA reported the lowest percentage (28%).

Approximately 60% of the entering students were described as multi-lingual. AIS St Helens (100%) and the AUT MBA (65%) had the largest percentages. The Canterbury MBA reported the smallest percentage (14%) of multi-lingual students.

From the demographic information provided, it is fairly clear that MBA students studying in New Zealand are a diverse group of individuals. When considering a specific MBA programme, it is helpful to compare your experience and background with those individuals who have been selected successfully.

Why pursue an MBA degree?

From my experience I have identified four reasons that are often given in response to why an MBA degree is pursued:

Self development. The MBA is perceived as a means of personal growth and development. This may include learning more about general management or the disciplines that make up the MBA such as marketing, accounting, information systems or finance. It may also be that the individual is interested in learning how to start up a new business. Those who choose the MBA for self development are seeking to learn new ways of solving problems, analysing work or market situations and improving their personal and/or organisation's performance. When managers or employers encourage a staff member to pursue an MBA, it is usually to develop the employee's understanding of business and management.

Career advancement or change. Individuals who complete an MBA are often perceived ‘differently’ (within the work place) from individuals who have not completed one. Holding an MBA can signal to others that you have been exposed intellectually to many facets of business and understand how well managed organisations operate. With this expectation, individuals who hold an MBA are often given opportunities to manage projects, organisational units or companies.

Networking. Participating in an MBA programme can create the opportunity for individuals to meet and work with other similarly motivated people. Making new friends, working with others and building a new network can be an exciting element of the process and many graduates describe this as one of the most valuable components of their experience.