Auckland University of Technology

What you'll study

The conjoint programme lets you complete a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Business concurrently by taking a mix of courses from both faculties. In the Arts component you choose a major from areas such as Communication Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Languages, Media Studies, or Creative Writing. Arts study emphasises critical thinking, research methods, cultural understanding and written/oral communication.

The Business component is drawn from AUT Business School and covers core commercial disciplines: accounting and financial literacy, management and organisational behaviour, marketing and consumer behaviour, business law and ethics, economics, and quantitative methods for decision-making. You will also take elective streams such as international business, human resources, entrepreneurship, digital marketing or business analytics depending on your interests.

• Typical Arts modules: introductory theory in your chosen major, research methods, thematic electives (for example media and society, intercultural communication, applied psychology or language study), and a capstone or honours pathway option if you choose to extend study.
• Typical Business modules: fundamentals in accounting, micro/macro economics, introduction to management, marketing principles, statistics for business, organisational behaviour, and a business strategy or integrative capstone.
• Structure: the conjoint normally requires completion of the core requirements for both degrees. You will combine introductory, intermediate and advanced level papers from each degree across the duration of study, and there is scope to take industry-relevant electives, placements or honours courses where available.

Entry requirements

Admission is based on meeting Auckland University of Technology's undergraduate entry criteria. Domestic applicants normally require New Zealand University Entrance or an equivalent secondary school qualification; international applicants require a recognised secondary qualification equivalent to NZ University Entrance. Applicants must also meet AUT's English language proficiency requirement, demonstrated by a recognised test (for example IELTS or TOEFL) or approved prior study in English.

Specific majors within the Arts or specialisations in Business may have additional prerequisites or recommended background. Selection is typically competitive and based on academic results; applicants with prior tertiary study, work experience or relevant professional qualifications should include transcripts and supporting documents. AUT may also consider applicants through alternative admission pathways where appropriate.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with complementary skillsets in critical analysis, communication and cultural understanding from the Arts, and practical business knowledge and quantitative ability from the Business degree. This combination is valued by employers who need versatile graduates able to work across commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors.

• Common career directions include marketing and communications, public relations, human resources, business development, management and consultancy, and client- or stakeholder-facing roles.
• Graduates with language or cultural majors often move into international business, export/import roles, government and diplomatic services, or community and iwi organisations.
• With the Business foundation, graduates can progress into roles in finance, analytics, entrepreneurship or operations; further professional study (for example postgraduate business qualifications or specialised professional training) is an option for career advancement.

Why study at Auckland University of Technology

AUT emphasises applied learning and strong links with industry. The university provides practical, project-based teaching, opportunities for placements and internships, and collaboration with businesses and public organisations in Auckland — New Zealand's largest commercial centre. Students benefit from modern facilities, business-lab resources and support services that include career development, mentoring and employability initiatives.

Studying a conjoint at AUT allows you to tailor a distinctive multidisciplinary profile: pairing a humanities or social science perspective with workplace-ready business skills. This combination is especially useful in a globalised labour market where employers seek graduates who can communicate across cultures, think critically, and apply commercial understandings to real-world problems.