• Postgraduate Diploma in Business Level 8

The Postgraduate Diploma in Business is a Level 8 qualification consisting of eight papers taught over one year. The teaching materials have been designed by Southern Cross University and successful completion will result in an NZQA-approved award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Business from ICL Business School.

To qualify for entry, applicants must have a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Diploma in a business-related field.

International students must also present IELTS with a minimum score of 6.5 overall, with no band less than 6.0, or an equivalent recognized by NZQA.

Papers

This programme consists of eight papers; four at Level 8 and four at Level 9:

Accounting for Managers (Level 8) – Introduces students to the fundamentals of financial and management accounting viewed from the perspective of the business manager. The focus is on critical evaluation of accounting information contained in financial statements and management accounting reports for use by managers to inform responsible decisions.

Marketing (Level 8) – Introduces students the concepts of markets and the philosophy of marketing underpinning our contemporary business environment. Looks at aspects of marketing managements: customer focus, relationship marketing, monitoring of the environment, buyer behaviours, marketing research, marketing planning, the marketing mix, and competitive strategy. Concepts are applied to products and services in a global context.

Organizational Behaviour (Level 8) – Introduces students to work and worker behaviour; behaviour at work; group and organizational behaviour; links between behaviour and organizational restructure; tasks and job design; administrative hierarchy; job satisfaction and worker adjustment; stress and other factors related to the environment of work; values associated with work behaviour.

Economics and Quantitative Analysis (Level 8) – Focuses on aspects of microeconomics and macroeconomics of most relevance to managers. The main themes are the market systems and what it can accomplish; limitations and failures of markets; government policies and other factors in the macroeconomic environment impacting on business; how issues and government policies with respect to the international economy impact on business. Quantitative analytic techniques for business and economics are introduced and applied.

Global Business (Level 9) – Examines the (additional) challenges confronting the global business manager. Firstly explores the vibrant dynamic global business environment and the opportunities and threats posed by operating in a global environment; notably in political economy and culture. Then turns to the development of global business strategy, addressing strategic management, entry strategies, organizational design and the functional areas of marketing, finances and human resources management.

Entrepreneurship and Marketing (Level 9) – Deals with the realities confronting entrepreneurial decision making in a contemporary context and introduces students to core marketing concepts – students assess how to harness creative potential of complex dynamics in a systemic approach that creates, grows and amplifies value throughout the system. The unit explores strategy, entrepreneurship and marketing and provides a framework for understanding relevant theory and its application.

Project Management (Level 9) – Develop students’ understanding of the principles of project management from a managerial perspective in an organizational setting and to develop skills to plan and manage projects with teams. Students will be introduced to the various phases and processes associated with a project life cycle, and should understand the knowledge areas associated with any project and explore practical applications of the knowledge acquired through this unit.

Leading and Managing People (Level 9) – Introduces students to theories and practices of contemporary leadership and management in a global setting. Various leadership styles will be canvassed and applied reflexively in developing students’ own approach to leading and managing, as two separate but interrelated skill sets.

Graduate Outcomes

According to NZQA, students with a Postgraduate Diploma are able to:

• Show evidence of advanced knowledge about a specialist field of enquiry or professional practice
• Engage in rigorous intellectual analysis, criticism and problem-solving

Employment Outcomes

A PGDipBus graduate qualifies for ANZSCO Skill Level 1 for permanent residency applications, with 60 immigration points, and employment in supervisory and management level positions within a wide variety of businesses and industries. Skills and knowledge are transferable across many industries both nationally and globally. The PGDipBus also qualifies for the spouse visa, whereby the student’s spouse may work full time on a work visa and any children are entitled to a free schooling in the local state school.

• Graduate Diploma in Business (International Hospitality Management) Level 7

The aims of the course are:

1. To take an interdisciplinary approach to study in the fields of international business studies with three optional strands, while retaining the core business disciplines of economics, with an emphasis on digital marketing, communication technologies, strategy and ethics.
2. To enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the hospitality industry and its multiple sectors, and develop a depth of knowledge on the management issues that occur within the industry. The Industry Practicum and Research Project will provide students with a hands-on immersion in the hospitality industry and allow them to apply their learning, test the relevance of academic theories and reflect critically on the relationship between their academic study and industry practice.

It is suited for those seeking to:

• bridge the gap between a first, non-business-related degree and a career in business, within an international hospitality context, or
• build upon a first general business-related degree towards a narrower field of study in international business hospitality; and
• build a firm foundation for further study at postgraduate level in the new discipline; and, if appropriate for international students,
• obtain a pathway to residency in New Zealand.

• Graduate Diploma in Business (International Tourism Management) Level 7

• The aims of the course are:
  1. To take an interdisciplinary approach to study in the fields of international business studies with three optional strands, while retaining the core business disciplines of economics, with an emphasis on digital marketing, communication technologies, strategy and ethics.
  2. To enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the tourism industry and its multiple sectors, and develop a depth of knowledge on the management issues that occur within the industry. The Industry Practicum and Research Project will provide students with a hands-on immersion in the tourism industry and allow them to apply their learning, test the relevance of academic theories and reflect critically on the relationship between their academic study and industry practice.
  It is suited for those seeking to:
  • bridge the gap between a first, non-business-related degree and a career in business, within an international tourism context, or
  • build upon a first general business-related degree towards a narrower field of study in international business tourism; and
  • build a firm foundation for further study at postgraduate level in the new discipline; and, if appropriate for international students,
  • obtain a pathway to residency in New Zealand.

• Diploma in Computing Level 7 (DC)

This programme provides a focus on networking and IT support, and carries bonus points for permanent residency. The Diploma in Computing is ideal for a student who wants to work in NZ and apply for residence]y. Due to a shortage of IT workers in NZ this 12-week work placement in the course gives students valuable work experience which helps in the application for a job. Currently the Diploma carries 50 points towards migration and qualifies graduates for the one-year Study to Work visa.

The aims of the course leading to the Diploma in Computing (Level 7) are to:

1. Develop advanced computing skills with specialization in computer support;
2. Develop in students sufficient practical and theoretical skills in computing to enable them to progress to further studies in a similar field or to enter employment directly; and
3. Enable both local and international students to achieve an industry-focused employment qualification.

Graduates of the Diploma in Computing (Level 7) will have attained a job entry qualification with particular strengths in system maintenance and user support. They will also be strongly placed to progress to degree level studies in information technology at a university or polytechnic. AUT University allows up to a year’s credit (two semesters) into its BCIS degree to ICL Diploma graduates. The programme is taught over 48 weeks with starting dates every month. The last 12 weeks of the programme consist of a work placement.

Entry requirements:

• Entry with IELTS 6.0, with no band less than 5.5, or equivalent in the ICL Proficiency Test, or other equivalent recognized by NZQA
• Academic requirement: at least one year of post-secondary study incorporating basic computing study

Programme length:

• Duration of 1 academic year, or
• 11 months: 44 weeks including a 12-week work placement

• Graduate Diploma in Business (International Business Innovation) Level 7

The aims of the course are:

1. To take an interdisciplinary approach to study in the fields of international business studies and innovation studies within a single qualification, while retaining the core business disciplines of economics, with an emphasis on digital marketing, communication technologies, strategy and ethics.
2. To move beyond traditional entrepreneurship or new venture approaches to innovation and examine innovative techniques and concepts within the international corporate environment. The innovation component of the course in particular requires an ability to think beyond the status quo, to strategically develop, critically evaluate and implement new ideas.

The course is a one-year, full-time programme of study with entry from a Bachelor Degree from a recognized university and IELTS 6.0 or equivalent in the ICL Proficiency Test. It is suited for those seeking to:

• bridge the gap between a first, non-business-related degree and a career in business, within an international innovation context, or
• build upon a first general business-related degree towards a narrower field of study in international business innovation; and
• build a firm foundation for further study at postgraduate level in the new discipline; and, if appropriate for international students,
• obtain a pathway to residency in New Zealand.

Graduates will be suitable for employment in outward-looking New Zealand SMEs looking to establish contacts or a presence overseas through the transfer, import or export of goods or services.

• New Zealand Diploma in Business Level 6 (NZDB)

This is one of the New Zealand government’s most famous programmes, combining both a grounding in business, organisation and management with an opportunity to specialise in majors, particularly accounting and management. The NZDipBus is ideal for a student who wants a course leading to work opportunities and eventual permanent residency. Completion of an Accounting major allows membership of the Accounting Technician’s College of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants.

The aim of the New Zealand Diploma in Business (NZDipBus) is to introduce students to the main disciplines of business and to provide a bridging programme to business degree study. The programme consists of twelve papers taken over four 16-week trimesters, giving 240 credits overall.

Successful NZDipBus graduates at ICL qualify for acceptance onto a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) or Bachelor of Business (BBus) degree at all New Zealand universities and those of many other countries, and may qualify for substantial credit. The award of the NZDipBus qualifies the holder for 40 points in applying for NZ Permanent Residence and qualifies graduates for the one-year Study to Work visa.

Entry requirements:
Entry with IELTS 6.0, with no band less than 5.5, or equivalent in the ICL Proficiency Test, or other equivalent recognized by NZQA

Programme length:

• Duration of 2 academic years, or 16 months
• Course consists of 12 papers: students must study 6 core papers and at least 4 at level 6

• Diploma in Business Computing Level 7 (DBC)

The Diploma in Business Computing is a Level 7 two-year programme which consists of the NZIM Diploma in Management and the Diploma in Computing combined. The Diploma is an industry-focused qualification that aims to provide graduates with advanced computing skills with specialisation in computer support, based on a practical grounding in business and management practice. The first stage is the NZIM Diploma in Management, which provides a thorough grounding in business, organisation and management, computing and communication practice. The second stage is the Diploma in Computing, offering specialisation in computer support, and develops in students sufficient practical and theoretical skills in computing to enable them to progress to further studies in a similar field or to enter employment directly.

The Diploma in Business Computing is ideal for a student who wants to work in NZ and apply for permanent residency. IT is an area of skill shortage and the 12-week work placement in the course gives students valuable work experience which helps in the application for a job. Graduates gain 50 points towards residency and qualify for the one-year Study to Work visa.

The course consists of 6 NZDipBus papers at level 5 and 6, and 9 computing modules at level 5, 6 and 7.

Entry requirements:
Entry with IELTS 6.0, with no band less than 5.5, or equivalent in the ICL Proficiency Test, or other equivalent recognized by NZQA

Programme length:

• Duration of 2 academic years, or
• 20 months, including a 12-week work placement