New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Leadership and Management)

All programmes offered by NMIT are under a Te Pūkenga review to ensure they are portable, consistent and aligned with the industry's needs while keeping our learners' success and wellbeing at heart. These are called unified programmes and are full of advantages for learners.

This programme is undergoing a transition to a Te Pūkenga unified programme. We'll notify you of any changes that might impact what you're studying, where you're studying, or how you're learning as information becomes available.

See more about our flexible learning options and unified programmes here.

Academic Requirements:

• A minimum of 14 numeracy credits at level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau on the Directory of Assessment Standards, and
• Fifty credits at level 2 or above with at least 12 credits in each of three subjects including a minimum of 8 literacy credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Māori; of which 4 credits must be in reading and 4 credits must be in writing.
• The literacy credits will be selected from a schedule of approved achievement standards and unit standards found on the NZQA website at Literacy requirements for University Entrance.

or equivalent to the above.

English Language Requirements

All applicants must have a level of English sufficient to be able to study at this level. Those applicants whose first language is not English should have:

• An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall academic score of at least 5.5 issued within the last two years, with not less than 5.0 in any category.

or

• A test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 60 in the computer-based test (with a writing score of 20), or at least 550 in the paper-based test (with an essay score of 5 TWE), issued in the last two years.

or

• A qualification equivalent to the above

or

• Complete two years study at a New Zealand secondary school and achieve either NCEA Level 3 or New Zealand University Entrance or both.

Special Entry

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant under the age of 20 years who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the NZ Diploma in Business where they supply evidence to satisfy the Academic Committee of their ability to succeed on the NZ Diploma in Business programme.

International students

International students must complete a consent form to grant permission for NMIT to contact Immigration New Zealand(external link) to seek information about their visa.

Selection Process or Other Requirements

All applicants who meet the entry requirements are accepted onto the programme.

Entry and selection processes comply with NMIT’s Student Selection Policy.

Refer to
NMIT Academic Statute – Section 3 Academic Regulations – Admissions and Enrolment
TANZ Collaborative Academic Rules and Regulations
Education Act 1989, Section 224

Graduates will be qualified to work in a range of entry level management positions, and entrepreneurial enterprises.

Potential roles after graduation include:

• Retail Manager
• Assistant Manager
• Duty Manager

Graduates can progress onto the Bachelor of Commerce majoring in management or marketing after successful completion of the New Zealand Diploma in Business (level 5) Leadership and Management strand. This programme is recognised as the first year of the Bachelor of Commerce leaving only two years of full time study to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

On Campus

This programme is run on the NMIT Semester model with two 17 week semesters. Four courses per semester is considered full-time study.

When will I attend class?

A face to face student can expect to attend two, two hour session each week per course These sessions are run from 8am-7pm on weekdays (Monday to Friday).

Therefore a full time student (taking four courses per semester) can expect to attend eight, two hour sessions each week.

How much time do I need to spend studying each semester?

As a general indication, for all level 5-7 (15 credit) courses, you can expect

• 60 hours of teaching (4 hours per week for 17 weeks) in a classroom environment, face to face or online.
• 90 self-directed learning (averaging 6 hours per week) working through course material and assignments in your own time.
• Totalling 10-12 hours of study per course per week

Online via eCampus NZ

This programme is run via eCampus NZ with ongoing intakes throughout the year. Terms are eight weeks with short breaks between. Two courses per term is considered full-time study.

When will I attend class?

An online student does not have any set class times to attend but it is recommended students have a regular time each week to work through the lessons. There may be times when a student is required online for an assessment or activity. This will be advised by your facilitator.

How much time do I need to spend studying each term?

As a general indication, for all level 5-7 (15 credit) courses, you can expect

• 60 hours of online facilitation (7-8 hours per week for 8 weeks).
• 90 self-directed learning (averaging 11.5 hours per week) working through course material and assignments in your own time.
• Totalling 18-20 hours of study per course per week

To be awarded the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) with the Leadership and Management stand, the student will have met the requirements below:

Graduates of the New Zealand Diploma Level 5 in Leadership and Management Strand will be able to:

Core technical knowledge and skills

• Apply knowledge of the principles and practices of operations, accounting, sales/marketing, HR, and risk management, to support the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the entity.
• Contribute in operational contexts to innovation and organisational change within a business entity

Core people skills

• Develop and maintain operational business relationships with stakeholders for efficient and effective performance of the entity.
• Research and communicate information for efficient and effective performance of the entity.

Core cognitive skills

• Apply problem-solving and decision-making in operational contexts for efficient and effective performance of the entity.

Core affective skills

• Manage own and others’ learning and performance within an operational context for efficient and effective performance of the entity.
• Apply professional and ethical behaviour, in a socially and culturally appropriate manner.

Core business environment

• Analyse the impact of internal and external environments on entities.
• Analyse how the origin and nature of the bi-cultural partnership (as embedded in the Treaty of Waitangi) can be applied to business activities and relationships.

Technical knowledge and skills

• Identify operational issues and challenges and apply techniques for continuous improvement for efficient and effective performance of the entity.
• Contribute to the business planning for efficient and effective performance of the entity.
• Lead others to implement activities within the entity's plans, including change, for efficient and effective performance of the entity.
• Manage projects within scope, resources, and time.

People Skills

• Negotiate and positively influence others to achieve the entity’s outcomes.
• Develop a positive workplace culture and team engagement, for efficient and effective performance of the entity.

Business environment

• Promote compliance with internal and external requirements.

Evidence of previous study or extensive work experience can be used to apply for recognition of academic credit (RAC), also known as Recognition of prior Learning (RPL) or Cross credit (CC) potentially allowing you to skip courses which you can show you hold the required skills and knowledge for already.

If you think you may be eligible for Recognition of Academic Credit (RAC), contact us about making an appointment to discuss this with our Student Learning Advisor. It is useful to bring along documentation such as:

• Previous academic transcripts
• Course Descriptors or Syllabus including Learning Outcomes
• Curriculum vitae and work history

The Student Learning Advisor will help you assess your eligibility for Recognition of Academic Credit, and advise you on what further evidence you may need to provide and fees. It is recommended the RAC processes is started a minimum of eight weeks prior to the course start date to ensure time for assessment and processing.

Find out more about the NMIT Policies and Procedures(external link) around Recognition of Academic Credit.