Sponsored by ISDI

Digital technologies are bringing about significant gaps in the workplace and organizations are desperate to find talented professionals to fulfil the demand. This evolution of business means the traditional MBA is also having to become more versatile in not just what it teaches, but how it’s taught too.

As a result, universities and business schools alike are having to reshape and rethink their MBA programs. ISDI is one such business school that’s becoming an innovator in technology teaching with its revolutionary Digital MBA program.

We spoke to them to find out just how the Digital MBA can help prepare you for the exciting future of technology and innovation within digital business.

Specialized modules dedicated to novel technologies

From the presence of Google’s Alexa in our homes, to contactless payments in the supermarket, novel automation and digital technologies now play a pivotal role in our everyday lives.

But when it comes to these new technologies within the world of business, in order to cope with them, you have to get to know them. Digital vision, digital business execution, digital leadership and business context are just some disciplines which students will delve right into as part of the Digital MBA curriculum at ISDI. Having a genuine understanding of these areas will ensure you’re able to deal with the emergence of new business technologies.

Innovative exposure to digital skills and professional tools

In order to prepare you for the modern workplace, programs such as the Digital MBA offer education in tools and concepts including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, internet of things (IoT) and robotics. This exposure ensures you’ll be able to leverage new technology to devise revolutionary business models and strategies.

Networking with some of the world’s leading digital industries

Sometimes talking to people in the know can really help improve your understanding of the technology sector and the things you need to know to conquer the competitive job market. Google, LinkedIn and Accenture are just a handful of industry leaders who visit ISDI to speak with Digital MBA students about the world of digital business.

Action-based learning opportunities

Speaking of leading digital companies, the Digital MBA offers the opportunity for an internship with the likes of Meliá and Accenture, allowing you to gain a genuine insight into the world of digital business and the chance to explore the implementation of novel digital technological trends – something which you may not otherwise have the chance to experience before pursuing your post-MBA career.

A school’s location can also have a big impact on the access it offers to industry innovators. ISDI’s location in the heart of Spain’s capital, Madrid, means you’ll be in close proximity to some of the country’s most innovative technology and business hubs, perfectly situated for internships and post-graduation job opportunities. Something which students are given support and have assistance with even after graduating from ISDI, thanks to its dedicated talent services and Job Board.  

Working on real-life projects

In order to properly understand the theories and practices you learn in the Digital MBA classroom, you’ll want to have the opportunity to apply them in the real world. Fortunately, the Digital MBA’s ‘Backbone Project’ allows students to see and understand the digitization of a traditional business which is the perfect opportunity to harness digital business skills and technical acumen.

For those with a taste for adventure, New Zealand is a perfect study destination, offering stunning natural landscapes, friendly and welcoming people, and excellent universities. Over 106,000 international students are currently studying in New Zealand – if you’re looking to join them, read on to find out what living costs and tuition fees you’ll need to cover during your stay.

Tuition fees in New Zealand

Universities in New Zealand set their own fees, which vary depending on your study level, subject and student status, with international students paying more than domestic students.

Undergraduate tuition fees

According to the official Study in Zealand website, international undergraduate students can expect to pay around NZ$22,000-32,000 (~US$14,900-21,700) per year, with higher fees for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science. Most bachelor’s degrees take three years to complete.

For domestic students from Australia and New Zealand, fees will be subsidized by the government, meaning that you’ll typically pay around NZ$10,000-25,000 per year. However, the government recently introduced a free fees initiative, allowing first-year domestic students to study for free for one year starting from 2019. The government will pay up to NZ$12,000 for one year (if you’re studying part-time, this can be spread out over several years) and refugees may also be eligible.  

Postgraduate tuition fees

If you’re an international master’s student, your annual fees will range between NZ$26,000-37,000 (~US$17,660-25,100), while domestic students pay NZ$5,000-10,000 per year.

However, international PhD students pay the same as domestic students, which is around NZ$6,500-$9,000 (~US4,400-6,100) per year for most fields.

Living costs to study in New Zealand

If you’re studying in New Zealand for more than a year, as part of your student visa application you’ll need to prove you have at least NZ$15,000 (~US$10,200) to support yourself for the first year.

However, depending on your lifestyle, location and spending habits, you may find you need more than this – for example, the University of Auckland recommends students budget NZ$20,000-$25,000, which is about US$13,500-16,900.

Capital city Wellington and the country’s largest city, Auckland, are likely to be the most expensive cities for living costs in New Zealand, with the University of Auckland estimating the following weekly costs:

• NZ$23 (~US$15.50) for utilities
• NZ$8 (~US$5) for internet
• NZ$10 (~US$6.75) for a mobile phone plan
• NZ$8 (~US$5) for insurance
• NZ$120 (~US$80) for food
• NZ$35 (~US$24) for transport
• NZ$55 (~US$37) for entertainment

Numbeo is a useful tool for looking at the average living expenses in other cities and comparing them to your home city.

Other miscellaneous living costs in New Zealand include compulsory health insurance, which you must purchase before your studies begin – this will cost between NZ$200-700 (~US$135-470) per year. A visit to the doctor will cost around NZ$45 (~US$30). You’ll also need around NZ$500 (~US$340) for books and stationery for your course for each year while you study in New Zealand.

In terms of lifestyle and entertainment, you can watch a film in the cinema for NZ$15 (~US$10), have a monthly gym membership for NZ$60 (~US$40), and enjoy a refreshing beer in a bar for NZ$10 (~US$6.75).

Accommodation

Most universities in New Zealand offer Halls of Residence for their students to live in, and this can prove to be a very affordable option at around NZ$270 (~US$180) per week. You can choose between self-catered and catered accommodation, with costs varying from as low as NZ$169 (~US$114) a week at the University of Canterbury to up to NZ$473 (~US$320) at catered student halls.

Private accommodation will tend to be more expensive, with a three-bedroom apartment in the city center costing about NZ$3,276 (~US$2,200) per month in Auckland and NZ$1,520 (~US$1,020) in Dunedin.

Funding to study in New Zealand

In terms of funding, you could look for a part-time job to support yourself during your studies (it’s not recommended to rely on this to fund living costs, however). If you’re studying for at least two years you can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week (and full-time during university holidays).

The government offers a range of scholarships for international students – these can be found via this search tool on Education New Zealand’s website. You could also check the official websites of the universities in New Zealand you’re interested in, as they may offer their own scholarships. You can view our own list of scholarships to study in New Zealand here.

It’s also worth taking advantage of student discounts on everything from food to skydiving – the StudentCard is just NZ$20 (~US$13.50) and will pay for itself after a few uses. 

For further information, download our free guide on How to Study Abroad in New Zealand.