About the programme
The Master of Business Innovation and Leadership (MBIL) is an NZQF Level 9 programme at Whitecliffe that prepares students to drive creative change and business innovation — in their own ventures or inside established organisations — over one year of full-time study (180 credits across three trimesters). It was previously known as the Master of Creative Enterprise and Innovation.
The degree is meant to sit on top of an existing qualification and career, whether in HR, project management, retail management or another field, adding transferable leadership and innovation skills that help graduates progress or move into senior and entrepreneurial roles.
Learning is applied throughout. Early on, students look at risk, resilience and the psychology of failure, treating setbacks as part of growth and learning to handle uncertainty and tackle complex problems in non-linear ways. Using design thinking and experimentation, they identify and test business, social, indigenous or community opportunities, build minimum viable products and practise engaging investors and stakeholders. Strategic thinking, communication, self-management, collaboration and human-centred creativity run through every course, with feedback from industry experts and chances to widen professional networks.
The capstone Innovation to Market project asks students to test a venture's desirability, feasibility and viability and produce a professional business plan. Delivery combines in-person seminars with flexible distance learning at the Auckland City (Symonds Street) campus. Graduates may go on to doctoral study if they meet the receiving programme's requirements.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree with a B average in the final year, a Bachelor Honours degree or a Postgraduate Diploma.
- Alternatively, a bachelor's degree followed by relevant professional experience, or equivalent practical, professional or scholarly experience.
- International applicants: turn 18 in the first year of study and hold a qualification equivalent to the above.
- English: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6, or TOEFL 625.
- No interview or portfolio is required, though Whitecliffe may ask for more information; entry is at Whitecliffe's discretion.
- Meet New Zealand visa requirements.
What you study
- Risk, resilience and the psychology of failure
- Non-linear problem-solving
- Design thinking and opportunity validation
- Minimum viable products (MVPs)
- Investor and stakeholder engagement
- Business leadership skills — strategy, communication, self-management, collaboration
- Innovation to Market capstone and business plan
Careers after graduation
- Start-up Founder
- Social Entrepreneur
- Consultant
- Intrapreneur
- Product Development Manager
- Innovation Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Business Growth Leader
Post-study work visa
Up to 3 years
Depends on the qualification, the length of study and other Immigration New Zealand requirements.
This description is based on the official programme page, checked on 20/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the Whitecliffe website