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Communications Studies

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business

Looking to upskill in a specialised and in-demand area of business, making you competitive and desirable to employers in New Zealand and overseas? Then look no further than the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

Level
8
Credits
120 (1.0 EFTS)
Campus
Mt Albert
Start dates
February or July
Duration
Full-time for 1 year or part-time for 2-3 years

Programme overview

Organisations all over the world, whether they be large or small, local or international, are always on the lookout for employees with the right skills – and in these unprecedented times, that means you need to be strategic, specialised and sharp.

Studying at a postgraduate level is a fantastic way to advance your business know-how and hone your expertise in a specialised area – and ultimately boosting your earning potential. The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business will extend and deepen your general business knowledge and deliver specific skills and capabilities in one applied area: choose from either Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Advanced HR, Leadership or Supply Chain & Logistics.

When you graduate, you’ll be highly competitive in the local and international job market, and have what you need to seek specialised employment or progress your career with your existing employer. You may also choose to continue with further postgraduate study in the Master of Applied Business - this would take an additional six months of full-time study (part-time options are also available).

Highlights

  • Acquire and update your business capabilities. No prior experience in business is required.
  • Applied learning. Utilise case studies and projects to apply theory and skills to real-world situations.
  • Blended course delivery. Learn in a variety of different ways from facilitated workshops and interactive lectures to online learning, presentations and discussions, and self-directed learning.
  • Boost your earning potential. New skills and technical knowledge will allow you to move up the ranks within an organisation.
  • Do an internship (elective course). Undertake a workplace project relevant to your specialisation.
  • Flexible timetable. Week evenings and weekend classes with online delivery options to support your learning.
  • Further your knowledge and skills. Develop the business acumen and strategic skills you need to perform well at the highest levels within an organisation.
  • Industry connections. Benefit from applied learning and collaborate with industry stakeholders in addition to the necessary theoretical learning.
  • Post-study work visa. International graduates will be eligible for a post-study work visa upon completion of this programme.
  • Progress into further postgraduate study. Graduates of this programme will be eligible to move into the Master of Applied Business.
  • Small classes. Facilitated by expert lecturers with strong industry connections and experience.

Programme structure

The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business is a 120-credit programme studied over two semesters full-time or part-time options available.

The programme is made up of:

  • 2 core compulsory courses.
  • 3 specialisation courses.
  • Either 3 elective courses or a 30-credit industry internship and 1 elective course – all at Level 8.

Our elective courses give you a chance to develop advanced knowledge and skills in a different area of interest that will complement your studies.

Specialisations

Our specialisations reflect current industry practice and areas of high demand for employment and include:

Business Analytics

When leveraged effectively, business analytics can be used to solve business problems, predict market trends, and increase efficiency, productivity, and revenue. In this specialisation, you’ll be introduced to the fundamental principles of data science and the techniques and tools of managing and using data in decision-making. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of concepts, procedures and computing techniques for enterprise data mining with applications to different industries and explore storytelling in data analytics for improving organisational outcomes.

Compulsory and specialisation courses for this specialisation are as below. Electives can be selected from any of the Level 8 courses offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

  • Strategic IQ (Compulsory).
  • Design Thinking for Business (Compulsory).
  • Data Analytics (Specialisation).
  • Adaptive Business Intelligence (Specialisation).
  • Analytics Storytelling (Specialisation).
  • Elective 1.
  • Industry Internship or 2 electives.

Digital Marketing

Marketing has always been about connecting with your audience at the right time and in the right place. In today’s business world, that place is online. In this specialisation, you’ll gain practical experience in developing inbound marketing and online advertising campaigns for an organisation. You’ll also learn how to use and analyse web data to optimise digital marketing tactics and support organisational decision-making.

Additional industry certifications you may be able to achieve include:

  • Industry Certification in Inbound Marketing
  • Industry Certification in Online Advertising
  • Industry Certification in Web Analytics

Compulsory and specialisation courses for this specialisation are as below. Electives can be selected from any of the Level 8 courses offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

  • Strategic IQ (Compulsory).
  • Design Thinking for Business (Compulsory).
  • Inbound Marketing (Specialisation).
  • On-line Advertising (Specialisation).
  • Web Analytics (Specialisation).
  • Elective 1.
  • Industry Internship or 2 electives.

Leadership

Leadership may not be a one size fits all, but the fundamentals remain the same. Strong business leadership drives organisational performance by creating an environment that inspires employees to do their best. In this specialisation, you’ll examine the practical skills and knowledge required to successfully lead and manage change, critically evaluate the skills, knowledge and abilities of effective leadership from a diverse range of cultural approaches, and learn how to build an inclusive culture that enhances employee and organisational performance.

Compulsory and specialisation courses for this specialisation are as below. Electives can be selected from any of the Level 8 courses offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

  • Strategic IQ (Compulsory).
  • Design Thinking for Business (Compulsory).
  • Leading and Managing Change (Specialisation).
  • Developing Tomorrow's Leaders (Specialisation).
  • Building Workplace Culture (Specialisation).
  • Elective 1.
  • Industry Internship or 2 electives.

Supply Chain & Logistics

Supply chain and logistics management is critical to business performance and customer satisfaction. This specialisation focuses on applying theoretical principles and analytical techniques to optimise and improve supply chain, distribution logistics and warehouse operations. This includes a group project where you’ll develop procurement strategy, policies and processes to improve an organisation’s supply chain, and using real-world business problems, gain a better understanding of warehousing and distribution operations.

Compulsory and specialisation courses for this specialisation are as below. Electives can be selected from any of the Level 8 courses offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

  • Strategic IQ (Compulsory).
  • Design Thinking for Business (Compulsory).
  • Procurement Management (Specialisation).
  • Supply Chain Design (Specialisation).
  • Warehousing and Distribution (Specialisation).
  • Elective 1.
  • Industry Internship or 2 electives.

Advanced HR

Effective HR management helps bridge the gap between employee performance and an organisation’s strategic objectives. This specialisation focuses on data-driven people practices; how to implement modern HR practices that create cutting-edge employee experiences in the workplace, the application of technology to analyse employee data to improve performance, and what causes an organisation’s culture to develop and how to build an inclusive culture that enhances employee and organisational performance.

Compulsory and specialisation courses for this specialisation are as below. Electives can be selected from any of the Level 8 courses offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

  • Strategic IQ (Compulsory).
  • Design Thinking for Business (Compulsory).
  • Employee Experience (Specialisation).
  • Workforce Analytics (Specialisation).
  • Building Workplace Culture (Specialisation).
  • Elective 1.
  • Industry Internship or 2 electives.

 

Admission requirements

What you will need to study this programme. 


Domestic students

Academic requirements

You must have completed at least one of the following:

  • A recognised bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a relevant discipline with merit achievement deemed to be a grade average of B- or higher; or
  • A professional qualification in a relevant discipline, recognised as being equivalent to merit achievement in a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
And meet one of the English entry requirements;

Non-Academic requirements

  • Provide sufficient evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other life experience that would indicate a successful outcome in the qualification. 
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 442 KB)


International students

Academic requirements 

You must have completed at least one of the following:

  • A recognised bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a relevant discipline with merit achievement deemed to be a grade average of B- or higher; or
  • A professional qualification in a relevant discipline, recognised as being equivalent to merit achievement in a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

And English entry requirements;

​If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:

Non-Academic requirements

  • Provide sufficient evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other life experience that would indicate a successful outcome in the qualification. 

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 442 KB)

Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses including timetables, please click on the course names below.

Courses Credits Aim
Digital Transformation (BSNS8002) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course enables students to understand the profound impact of leveraging digital technologies to transform business, organisations and society.
Strategic IQ (BSNS8000) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course enables students to build the strategic thinking skills required to contribute to smarter and more nimble organisations able to adapt to new realities and build competitive advantages in highly competitive landscapes.
Design Thinking for Business (BSNS8001) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable student to apply design thinking to solve complex problems and design new solutions that create value for customers and their organisations.
Leading and Managing Change (BSNS8010) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to crucially examine the practical skills and knowledge required to successfully lead and manage change.
Building Workplace Culture (BSNS8012) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students’ will critically examine the nature of organisation culture and how to build an inclusive culture that enhances employee and organisational performance.
EX Employee Experience (BSNS8020) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to understand the employee experience and use technology to design and implement best Human Resource (HR) practices to improve employee and organisational performance.
Workforce Analytics (BSNS8021) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course enables students to use employee and business data for more effective decision making to improve employee and organisational performance.
Data Analytics (BSNS8030) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to understand the fundamental concepts of big data, its applications and apply analytical methods to solve data-driven organisational problems.
Analytics Storytelling (BSNS8031) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to apply analytic techniques to communicate compelling business stories for improving organisational outcomes.
Inbound Marketing (BSNS8040) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to understand inbound marketing strategy and use technology to implement inbound marketing initiatives in an organisation. Students will also achieve Industry Certification in Inbound Marketing.
Online Advertising (BSNS8041) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to understand online advertising strategy and use technology to implement online advertising initiatives in an organisation. Students will also achieve Industry Certification in Online Advertising.
Web Analytics (BSNS8042) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to use and analyse web data to optimize digital marketing and to support organisational decision making. Students will also achieve Industry Certification in Web Analytics.
Procurement Management (BSNS8050) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to develop procurement strategy, policies and processes to optimise supply chain performance.
Supply Chain Design (BSNS8051) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to apply methodologies and technologies to design effective supply chains of organisations.
Warehousing and Distribution (BSNS8052) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to apply theoretical principles and analytical techniques to optimise distribution, logistics and warehouse operations.
Courses Credits Aim
Digital Transformation (BSNS8002) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course enables students to understand the profound impact of leveraging digital technologies to transform business, organisations and society.
Industry Internship (BSNS8003) 30.0 credits (0.25 EFTS) This course will provide students with an opportunity to undertake a workplace project relevant to their specialisation.
Business Research Methods (BSNS8004) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will enable students to apply business research methods to prepare a research proposal.
Te Ao Pakihi Maori (BSNS8005) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) In this course students will explore the nature and structure of Maori business and organisations and the significant contribution they make to the Aotearoa New Zealand economy.
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders (BSNS8011) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course critically evaluates the leadership skills, knowledge and abilities everyone needs to be a leader.