Master of Applied Innovation

Students in this programme will advance their ability to innovate in the workplace allowing them to immerse themselves into the enterprise environment and gain a postgraduate qualification whilst in employment. This programme offers an accessible academic and professional career development opportunity in research and innovation at postgraduate level, relevant to all disciplines.

​There are no formal classes. Students will be guided through the programme by an academic lead supervisor and will also be paired with an industry mentor. Students will have developed a research plan in the first part of the programme and will be spending at least 3 days a week in business, working on the project.

Students will also be embedded in our community of practice, supported by supervision and mentorship, with access to a national and international network of researchers. Students of the programme will be part of a group of fellow students who will share experiences and knowledge through a dedicated online platforms as well as monthly forums.

This framework will ensure students are well supported in all academic aspects as well as allowing the gaining of insights into the business environment the project is undertaken in.

Candidates are required to have gained the Postgraduate Certificate in Innovation with a B (65%) grade average or highe

Selection criteria a) All candidates must: i. Have an accepted research project plan/proof of concept or business plan and are able to meet all assessment criteria detailed for the Postgraduate Certificate in Innovation and ii. Have had their research project plan, business plan or proof of concept approved by Wintec and by an incubator mentor or an industry partner for implementation. b) Candidates must also: i. Sign appropriate agreements and be willing to comply with agreed protocols related to the research project.

English language requirements

​Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.5, with no individual band score lower than 6.0; or equivalent.​

Based in Hamilton, the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec), is one of the country’s largest institutes of technology. We deliver high-quality education across vocational (technical) and professional fields of study to approximately 13,000 students, across over 130 different courses.

At Wintec students are educated in a way that builds their confidence and gets them work-ready. We differ from other types of tertiary providers in the way students get the chance to put their theoretical learning into practice from the very start. You will get to work on real-life projects based on relevant topics and themes as if you were in the workplace. You will also get involved in work placements. This means that by the time you graduate, you will be confident in your skills and knowledge, and know-how to apply your learnings. Our academic staff have years of industry experience between them, which means they can guide you on your journey.

Wintec maintains collaborative relationships with local industry and iwi to identify the needs of the region and community. Fostering strong networks that our students and graduates benefit from is a high priority for us.  Understanding the needs of local industry, what type of graduates they need now, and what they will need in the future is critical to assisting industry and our graduates.