The Graduate Diploma in Commerce is a 120-credit graduate-level qualification at Lincoln University designed for graduates who want to develop a deeper understanding of commerce and build knowledge across a range of business disciplines. It provides flexibility to select commerce courses according to a student's academic interests and career objectives, while requiring at least 60 credits from 300-level courses offered within Lincoln's commerce degrees. The programme normally takes one year of full-time study, with part-time study also available.

Important note for IPU applicants: the IPU link supplied in the request, https://www.ipu.ac.nz/programmes/mgb-1, is the IPU Master of Global Business page and is not a programme-specific page for Lincoln University's Graduate Diploma in Commerce. Therefore, any IPU-specific partnership, pathway, delivery, application, fee or scholarship arrangements for this qualification are not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Provides a focused graduate-level qualification in commerce that can be completed in one year full-time.
• Allows students to study a broader range of commerce subjects or develop knowledge in a particular business area.
• Provides flexibility because students can select courses rather than following a completely fixed subject structure.
• Requires at least 60 credits from 300-level courses within Lincoln's commerce degrees, giving the qualification substantial advanced undergraduate-level commerce content.
• Can be useful for graduates who already hold a degree but want to add commerce knowledge before entering or progressing in business-related employment.
• Part-time study is available, providing an alternative for students who do not wish to complete the qualification over two full-time semesters.
• Lincoln's Business area combines contemporary business concepts with the commercial realities of New Zealand's primary-sector and agri-food economy.
• The programme can be tailored toward areas such as accounting, economics, finance, global business, marketing, supply chain management, tourism and other commerce-related disciplines available through Lincoln's commerce degrees.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Graduate Diploma in Commerce consists of 120 credits.

The structure shown on the programme page is:

First study semester:

• Elective
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

Second study semester:

• Elective
• Elective
• Elective. 

Potential commerce subject areas available through Lincoln include:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Finance
• Global business
• Marketing
• Supply chain management
• Tourism management
• Events management
• Environmental management
• Water management
• Business strategy
• Agribusiness
• Food and resource economics.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Graduate Diploma in Commerce does not list separate formal majors or named specialisations on its programme page.

Instead, students develop their area of focus through elective course selection.

Lincoln's current Business area identifies the following relevant disciplines and majors across its commerce offerings:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Finance
• Global business
• Marketing
• Supply chain management
• Tourism management
• Events management
• Environmental management
• Water management
• Agribusiness
• Food and resource economics.

Programme Highlights

• Graduate-level commerce qualification.
• 120 credits.
• One year full-time.
• Part-time study available.
• Normally two full-time semesters.
• Lincoln University Campus.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry.
• Minimum 75 credits at 300 level.
• At least 60 credits from 300-level courses in Lincoln's commerce-degree schedules.
• Maximum 15 credits at 100 level.
• Flexible elective structure.
• Opportunity to tailor studies to business interests.
• Strong connection with New Zealand's primary-sector and agri-food economy.
• Access to Lincoln's wider Business discipline offerings.

Career Outcomes

Lincoln does not publish a guaranteed list of occupations specifically for Graduate Diploma in Commerce graduates.

Because the qualification allows substantial elective choice, possible career areas depend heavily on the student's selected courses and previous bachelor's degree.

Potential areas include:

• Business management
• Business analysis
• Marketing
• Market research
• Sales
• Supply chain management
• Finance
• Accounting-related business roles
• Economics
• International business
• Agribusiness
• Food and resource economics
• Tourism management
• Sustainability and environmental business
• Commercial operations.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students must hold a current, valid New Zealand visa that permits them to study at Lincoln University.

For a new international student, Lincoln states that the Student Visa application requires:

• Offer of Place from Lincoln University.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, normally a fee receipt.
• Passport.
• Digital photograph.
• Proof of funds for living expenses of NZ$20,000 per year.
• Evidence of funds for travel to the student's home country at the end of study, or an air ticket.
• Applicable visa application fee.

Immigration New Zealand may additionally request:

• Medical certificates.
• Chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Additional information where the student will be under 18 when beginning study.