Why Study/Key Benefits

• Develop specialist project management knowledge and practical skills for managing projects across different industries.

• Learn how to coordinate people, resources, priorities, budgets, timeframes and risks to achieve project objectives.

• Build on existing academic or professional experience and develop the judgement and communication skills needed for more advanced project responsibilities.

• Gain practical workplace experience through 200 hours of work-integrated learning and an industry project.

• Study advanced project management, finance, operations management and resource integration.

• Develop stakeholder engagement, problem-solving, critical-thinking and professional communication skills.

• Learn to apply project management approaches in culturally diverse workplaces, including consideration of M?ori perspectives and the bicultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Ara highlights responsible use of AI and the development of bicultural capability as part of the programme’s learning approach.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The 2026 Ara programme handbook provides the following course structure for CH4002:

• Project Management – 15 credits, Level 6.

• Introduction to Finance – 15 credits, Level 6.

• Operations Management – 15 credits, Level 6.

• Advanced Project Management – 15 credits, Level 7.

• Product Development or Business Transformation and Change – 15 credits, Level 7; students choose one.

• Preparation for Work Placement – 15 credits, Level 7.

• Industry Project – 30 credits, Level 7, including 200 hours of work-integrated learning.

The programme develops knowledge and practical capability in:

• Project planning and management principles.

• Business finance and financial considerations in projects.

• Operations management.

• Advanced project management.

• Product development or business transformation and change.

• Preparation for workplace-based projects.

• Industry project delivery and practical application of project management knowledge.

• Stakeholder communication, resource integration and project team management.

Disciplines/Specialisations

• Main discipline: Project Management.

• Related study areas include business management, project planning, finance, operations management, advanced project management, product development, business transformation and change management.

• The qualification is a dedicated Project Management specialisation rather than a programme offering several separate named specialisations.

• The 2026 handbook includes a choice between Product Development and Business Transformation and Change as part of the programme structure.

Programme Highlights

• Level 7 graduate diploma with 120 credits.

• One-year full-time programme.

• July intake listed for international students.

• Campus delivery at Madras Street, Christchurch.

• 200 hours of workplace project experience.

• Industry project included in the qualification.

• Practical learning in project management, finance, operations and advanced project delivery.

• Choice of Product Development or Business Transformation and Change within the 2026 programme structure.

• Project management learning aligned with the PMBOK framework.

• Focus on responsible AI use, bicultural capability and professional communication.

• Potential pathway to further postgraduate study in business-related fields.

 

Career Outcomes

Graduates may pursue roles in project management and related business functions in New Zealand or internationally.

Ara identifies the following career opportunities:

• Project administrator.

• Project coordinator.

• Project support officer.

• Project manager.

• Implementation manager.

• Risk management roles.

The NZQA qualification information also identifies potential employment in:

• Project coordination.

• Project administration.

• Project planning and scheduling.

• Project management.

• Risk management.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The programme is listed as current on the NZQA qualification register.

• Qualification number: CH4002.

• NZQA identifies Ara Institute of Canterbury as the qualification developer and NZQA as the quality-assurance authority.

• The NZQA register records the next qualification review as December 2031.

• The programme includes 200 hours of work-integrated learning through an industry project.

• Ara highlights responsible AI use and bicultural capability as important programme features.

• Applicants should confirm the 2027 course schedule, workplace-project arrangements and any additional programme costs before enrolment.

• Ara indicates that additional equipment or fees may be advised before enrolment.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students planning to study this full-time programme in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to their individual circumstances.

Key visa requirements:

• An offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider.

• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or confirmation of an applicable scholarship.

• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover living expenses.

• Evidence of acceptable medical and travel insurance.

• Evidence of good health and character.

• Genuine intention to study in New Zealand.

• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of their authorised stay.

Financial requirements:

• For tertiary study lasting one year or more, Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses, or an acceptable sponsor.

• For study lasting less than one year, the requirement is NZD $1,667 per month.

• The living-cost amount is separate from tuition fees and the cost of outward travel.

• Students must also demonstrate that they can pay their tuition fees or have an acceptable scholarship or funding arrangement.

Student visa work rights:

• Eligible students may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during their studies, depending on the conditions of their visa.

• Eligible students may be permitted to work full-time during scheduled holidays.

• Students must check the exact work conditions stated on their individual visa.

• Practical work experience required as part of the programme is separate from the hours permitted under the student's ordinary visa work conditions.

Insurance and attendance:

• Students must maintain acceptable medical and travel insurance from the start of their course until their visa expires.

• Students must attend their approved course and make satisfactory academic progress.

• Ara's international student requirements and Immigration New Zealand's visa conditions must be followed throughout the period of study.

Visa application cost and processing:

• Fee Paying Student Visa cost: from NZD $850.

• Immigration New Zealand currently indicates that 80% of applications are processed within 7 weeks; actual processing times may vary.

• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before the planned travel date.

• Visa fees and processing times are subject to change.