Diploma in Small Business

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, or want to increase your business objectives, this diploma programme is for you.

Learn new skills and progress your business at the same time. You’ll use project management techniques to carry out three different projects to grow your business – a marketing project, an operations project and a project of your choice – all supported by one-on-one business mentoring to help speed up your learning.

At the end of the programme, you may already notice positive changes in your business – but more importantly, you’ll be well prepared to grow your business and apply project management skills in a variety of business situations.

Upon successful completion of this programme, you will receive the following qualification:

• New Zealand Diploma in Business

• project management processes and techniques
• business budgeting and financial management
• business risk analysis
• sales and marketing
• business operations
• innovation and change
• business communication, contracts and negotiation
• project presentation and review.

I want to keep studying

You might want to apply for our master's programme, He Waka Hiringa. Another option might be higher-level business studies at another institution.

I want to use my qualification

You'll graduate with a NZQA-approved qualification showing your academic and practical knowledge to run a business. Plus you'll have three completed projects to show your ability to manage projects successfully.

This is a full-time programme that consists of 120 credits delivered over 36 weeks. Throughout the programme you will be required to attend:

• 1 x 3-hour class per week for weeks 1-23 and 26-34
• 1 x 6-hour workshop per week in weeks 24-25 and 35-36
• 18 hours of mentoring across the programme (negotiated between you and your kaiako)
• case studies (approximately 1-2 hours per week)

Learning Activities: In addition to these attendance hours, you’ll be expected to complete learning activities designed to enhance your learning for approximately 28 hours per week.

In some locations this programme may be provided by an approved sub-contract arrangement.

To enrol in this programme, a potential student must:

• be at least 16 years of age
• be a New Zealand citizen (or citizen of Australia, Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands) or permanent resident
• be a graduate of a Level 4 business qualification (or higher) or demonstrate competence in a literacy exercise that reflects the comprehension and writing abilities for the programme
• satisfy one of the following requirements:
  • have a business idea which they are ready to develop
  • be an existing business owner, or
  • be involved in the management of an existing small business for which they can develop a detailed business plan
• attend an information session and an enrolment interview.