Outcomes and Pathways
What this course offers and how you will benefit
The Master of Technological Futures is a highly innovative Master’s programme for people who want to drive positive change. Designed in consultation with industry and delivered by leading technology experts, futurists and social enterprise leaders, this applied programme upskills professionals to take full advantage of what this fast-emerging digital era offers.
You’ll learn how to do things differently – to see from new perspectives, to plan and shape ideas using new methodologies and develop your leadership skills to be able to drive change in your workplace and communities.
There are three key dimensions where the programme expands your knowledge:
Emerging Disruptive Technologies (EDT). Key technologies like Blockchain, the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, VR/AR and Robotics.
New business models, methods and mindsets. Contemporary approaches to structuring, leading, and developing businesses, including systems and futures thinking, strategic insights, fit for an ever-changing environment.
Societal shifts - influences from society that impact business like circular, sharing, and collaborative economies, the digital-first generation, and the value of genuine indigenous perspectives and wisdom.
The programme puts you at the centre of change and possibility to enable you to clearly identify opportunities and know how to create sustainable impactful solutions.
The Master of Technological Futures programme differs from traditional Master’s degrees as it’s practical, designed in close consultation with industry experts and you have the choice to either complete it with a research or real-world project. You'll work through a process to develop a project proposal bespoke to you and your identified area and then implement this project all with the support of a dedicated advisor. They will support and guide you throughout the duration of the programme and connect you with other experts, industry or academic, to help round out research and project outcomes.
Develop applied skills in contemporary business practices that encourage innovative and creative thinking - like design sprints, agile methods and systems-led strategies
Critically analyse and evaluate your context through the lens of emerging disruptive technologies and understand how to apply these for impact
Connect with a community of change makers and innovators leading and shaping the businesses and industries of tomorrow.
Acquire a recognised NZQA accredited Master’s degree that has transformed your mindset to innovate, create and lead projects and businesses that will make lasting impact
My journey
Janet Chenery’s love of learning reignited her career
An academyEX graduate and burgeoning business consultant and entrepreneur, Janet Chenery personifies what it means to be a lifelong learner. Feeling stagnant and uninspired by her career in technology, Janet discovered the Masters of Technological Futures offered by academyEX - and never looked back. As she embarks on a late career resurgence, Janet’s story reminds us that it is never too late to disrupt the status quo. Master your technological future, and learn how to plan and shape ideas to generate solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems with the Master of Technological Futures programme at academyEX
PATHWAYS
Where this could take you
Apply your technology knowledge in a practical way to create innovative change
Follow your passion
With your newfound knowledge, skills and mindset to innovate, create and lead projects that will make lasting impact.
Boost your career
Utilise your skills to become an intrapreneur, inhouse change agent or consultant. Start a new business or develop a product or framework.
Continued learning
Dive into micro-credentials to continue your learning with academEX, or level up your learning by applying for professional doctoral studies.
PEOPLE
Meet the Team
OUTLINE
How this Masters programme works
Incorporate technology into your world
Apply and Enrol
If you are ready to enrol, complete the online application form. Upon receiving your application, we will be in touch to arrange a time for you to have a chat with our Programme Lead, before the onboarding process begins to join your intake for orientation and the start of your Master's journey. If you are taking a career break or considering full time, reach out and we can discuss this pathway.
Immersion Phase
Over 20 weeks, become immersed in a world of learning as you hear from industry experts on a range of contemporary and innovative topics. You will also apply your learning and expertise to develop your own proposal for implementation in the Project Phase. Sessions are delivered both in-person and online during the 20 weeks. See FAQs below for the time commitment of this phase of the programme.
Project Phase
Over 55 weeks, you will self-manage the implementation of your project and develop valuable outputs. You will have regular checkings with your advisor, and 6 full day workshops are facilitated to maintain connection with your cohort and continue learning. Sessions are delivered both in-person and online during the 20 weeks. See FAQs below for the time commitment of this phase of the programme.
Post Masters
Continue to apply your new knowledge and skills in your workplace or organisation. Micro-credentials may provide an opportunity to dive deeper into a topic of interest, or you could level up with further study through a professional doctorate.
KEY INFORMATION AND FAQS
What you need to know
This Masters is delivered across 18 months. In addition to the session times below, allow 16-20 hrs per week for self directed learning (includes working on your assessments and researching your project interest area).
February and October Intakes: The programme is delivered in Residency Blocks (3 days per month) during the Immersion Phase, and 1-day block sessions each month for the first 6 months of the Project Phase. Some of these residency blocks are delivered at academyEX HQ (6 days) in Auckland, but can also be attended online via hybrid delivery if you are unable to travel to Auckland.
June Intake: The programme is delivered in 1-day block sessions, every Friday for 20 weeks, and 1-day block sessions each month for the first 6 months of the Project Phase. All sessions in the July intake are highly interactive online sessions that support learners at distance to participate in learning with peers who are both online and onsite. Throughout the Master, you will be working one-on-one with an Advisor and meet with them fortnightly at a time that works for you both.
For further information, download our 2023 student prospectus.
Some of the classes in the Master of Technological Futures February and October intakes are delivered on site at academyEX HQ in Auckland, New Zealand. We recommend these classes are attended in person, however, we also deliver all classes in a hybrid format so you can attend online if you are unable to travel to Auckland. During the June 2023 Intake, students can attend all sessions online and also from academyEX HQ in Auckland, with highly interactive online sessions supporting learners at distance to participate in learning with peers who are both online and onsite. Check the 2023 student prospectus for more details.
There are three intakes of this masters programme per year, starting in February, June and October in 2023. For more details about key dates, download our 2023 student prospectus
Applications close two weeks before the start date of the intake you are applying for. Please see Key Dates in our 2023 student prospectus for specific application close dates. Applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis after the application close date at the discretion of academyEX. Please contact enrol@academyex.com if you applications are closed and you would like to apply.
The domestic tuition fee for the Programme is $16,260 (including GST).
The fee for international students in New Zealand is NZD$44,000 (including GST)
The fee for international students outside of New Zealand is NZ$28,695
academyEX offers a range of scholarships to support people to study and help to minimise barriers to learning. The following scholarships can be applied for, and cover 75% of the programme fees.
Tangata Whenua - for learners who identify as Māori
Pacific Ako - for learners who identify as Pacific
Taipakeke - for learners who are aged 60 years and over.
Impact Scholarship - for learners who are positively impacting people, society and/or the planet.
Early Bird Discount:
There is an Early Bird discount of 10% off the course fees for domestic students who apply 4 weeks before the start date of an intake, and 8 weeks before the start of an intake for international students. The discount will be applied to your invoice automatically through the enrolment process.
Please note: Early Bird Discount and Scholarships cannot both be applied. If you receive a scholarship, the remaining amount payable will not be discounted with the early bird rate.
Find out more, including scholarship terms and conditions, by visiting our Scholarships page.
Yes, domestic students studying in New Zealand can apply for a StudyLink Student Loan for this programme.
Check this StudyLink page for more details on how to apply. Domestics students may also be eligible for Fees Free
To be admitted to this Masters, you need to have:
A bachelor’s degree or Level 7 Graduate Diploma (or higher) AND relevant professional and/or technical experience that demonstrates an ability and potential to succeed,
OR
Relevant professional and/or technical experience that demonstrates an ability and potential to succeed.
Absolutely. We’ve had loads of students do the course alongside family members, friends and colleagues. There are also opportunities to work collaboratively on assessments during the programme and work together on a project of interest. Learning is always better together!
In the lead up to the start of each intake, fully enrolled students will receive onboarding emails from the team, as well as access to platforms that will be used during your study. During the first session, whether online or in-person, the team will talk through what you can expect during the programme and answer any questions.
International students learning onshore with us will also be required to attend a separate orientation session. Details will be provided during the application process.
The Master of Technological Futures is designed specifically for people who want to be a part of and lead the way forward in the new world of business. This is intentional learning at its very best.
This programme is for you if you want to:
expand your knowledge and experience with digital technologies
develop out an idea or project that could revolutionize your workplace or industry
level up your capabilities for a move forward, or sideways in your career
A Master’s degree from Tech Futures Lab says you look to the future with open eyes – you not only understand the impacts’ technology will have on our world, but you are also able to harness them to develop solutions that are inclusive, sustainable and impactful.
Our students come from all sorts of different backgrounds. What is common is their desire to make a difference - to themselves, their organisations, their communities - or the world.
Yes, it is possible to complete the Master of Technological Futures studying full time, across 55 weeks. If you are taking a career break and would like to study this programme full time, please contact enrol@academyex.com.
This programme is available to study as an international student either via online distance learning or in-person in New Zealand with an appopriate visa. To find out more about studying with academyEX as an international student, and for programme fees, visit our International Students page.
For admission into this master’s programme you will have an interview with one of the programme team. It’s a chance for you to ask any questions and ensure that this master’s programme is the right fit for you. You can discuss your professional experience, the support available from our team and the commitment you can give to achieving your learning goals Evidence of English Language proficiency is also required for International Students. For further information, including how to demonstrate equivalent professional experience, download our 2023 Student Prospectus
Our stackable learning means you can take a mix ‘n match approach to building your skills, knowledge and network across programmes, no matter which faculty, so you have a customised toolkit to make change and innovate where it matters most to you.
The Master of Technological Futures can include micro-credentials and postgraduate certificate courses. You can think of micro-credentials as building blocks of learning. Each building block could be credited to larger qualifications (e.g. a Master’s degree) if a specific micro-credential aligns to specific learning outcomes covered in a larger qualification. It’s worth having a chat with us about what you’re seeking to achieve for your upskilling so we can help with selecting the right learning pathways for you.
Yes, absolutely. Part 1 of the Masters programme, no matter which pathway you take, is designed to support reflection, ideation and identification of a project idea. Sitting in the problem space can sometimes be unfamiliar, but it is very important to us that we set you up for success by supporting you to identify your project topic. The content that is taught across Part 1 might also spark some new ideas!
Yes, the programme does not require you to feel confident or have extensive technical knowledge. Some students are highly technical and aspire to be creating new tech. Others have a strong business, social or enterprise focus and are looking to develop their own venture or lead teams enabled by technology products and services. Whether you're a digital native or newbie, our programmes will work for you.
Industry experts pitch their content to ensure that no knowledge is assumed. The most important quality is to attend each session with an open mind, curiosity and willingness to step outside your comfort zone to develop new knowledge, skills and capabilities. Sometimes the most informative and relevant sessions are those we least expect or have limited knowledge of before engaging with the content!
The Master's programme was developed in 2016, and since then we've had twenty Master's cohort, and over 120 graduates. All our programmes are adapted with each new intake to remain contemporary with change and loop in learnings from previous cohorts, but the fundamentals remain the same.
There are many aspects of this Master’s that make it unique and impactful. One that is valued by many students is the way the programme focuses on applied learning (as do the other Master’s delivered by academyEX), with the project outputs being defined in negotiation with the Programme Team. You have the opportunity to have real impact and support the growth of resilient organisations and systems through your work.
We can chat through the other unique elements of the Masters. Book a chat with Megan Bruere (Outreach Manager) to discuss more!
Yes, almost all academyEX learners work full time while studying part time. If you want to study the Masters full-time, a full-time job is not possible. Learning and assessment are designed to be practical and linked to personal aspirations and projects. You will also be implementing your practice-based project in your workplace during Part 3.
We are very happy to help you to communicate the benefits of studying with academyEX to your employer. If you would like us to provide you with a letter of support or further information, please just ask.
Next Steps
Okay, so what’s next?
Make an enquiry
We understand the decision to embark on a Master’s programme requires some consideration. If you have any questions, we’re here to help answer them.
Book a chat
We get it – sometimes it’s nice to chat to a real human!
Book a call at a time that suits you and Megan, our Outreach Manager will be able to answer your questions and, if you’re ready, help you apply.
Apply now
Take the first step toward your Master's and complete our online application form. There will be documentation to provide, but we'll guide you through the process. Our Enrolments Team will be in touch with the next steps for you to become a changemaker in your workplace or launch yourself into a totally new world.
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