The Master of Quality Systems is unique in New Zealand. It is the only graduate-level tertiary academic qualification in quality management throughout New Zealand and Australia. It will give you a career advantage in seeking positions related to quality management.

What will you learn?

This programme focuses on developing critical awareness of and expertise in the following areas:

• quality management and its component aspects (inspection, quality control, assurance and continual improvement).
• contemporary quality thinking and methods including iso systems, statistical thinking, systems thinking, business excellence, lean and six sigma improvement.
• the application of management theory to quality systems
• ability to conduct self-directed research in an aspect of quality management theory or practice
• research methods
• management of people undertaking quality projects and the people-related aspects of quality programme implementation.

Topics you will study include quality systems design, lean management, six sigma statistical analysis, value chain management and quality improvement. You will learn how to undertake in-depth research, followed by your own in-depth research (thesis) on an area of interest to you.

Lecturer expertise

You will benefit from your lecturers’ real-world experience and continual involvement in research and academic debate around key quality issues. Award-winning, they are widely published in key international journals, and have experience in senior roles across many industries. 

Contemporary, relevant learning

The Master of Quality Systems gives you a comprehensive understanding of a quality-systems oriented organisation. You will learn the tools and techniques used within the context of management and leadership of modern organisational systems.  You’ll gain an in-depth insight into the most recent thinking and related approaches in this area.

Every organisation has a ‘quality manager’, someone who is responsible for one or more of areas like

• inspection
• quality control
• quality assurance
• quality management
• continuous improvement.

You could be employed in a huge range of industries and professions, including manufacturing, services, health care, local government, construction and the defence force.

Many graduates of the MQS quickly move into senior positions in the same or different organisations. Some have gone on to advanced study such as PhD.

Earn more

A 2017 Ministry of Education publication The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that in New Zealand:

• young master’s graduates earn more than one and a half times more than the national median (five years after study)
• earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed
• five years after completion, the median earnings of young master’s graduates are 15% higher than for those with a bachelor’s degree.