Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Logistics
Why Study / Key Benefits
The Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Logistics is designed for graduates who want to develop specialist knowledge of supply-chain operations, procurement, inventory, warehousing, distribution and logistics management.
Key benefits include:
Develop the ability to analyse and improve supply-chain performance.
Learn how to manage the movement of goods, information and resources across business operations.
Build knowledge of procurement, sourcing, inventory management and stock control.
Develop demand-planning and forecasting skills.
Understand transport coordination, warehouse operations and distribution.
Learn about resource integration, operational planning and contemporary supply-chain challenges.
Develop leadership and decision-making skills relevant to business operations.
Apply learning to practical workplace challenges through a 200-hour industry project.
Develop awareness of sustainability, health and safety, and culturally responsive business practices.
Build practical AI capability and understand responsible and ethical AI use.
Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics
The Graduate Diploma comprises 120 credits at Level 7, with Level 6 and Level 7 courses included in the specialist programme.
The 2026 Ara programme handbook lists the following course structure.
Compulsory courses
Project Management (AMPM600) – Level 6, 15 credits.
Operations Management (AMOM632) – Level 6, 15 credits.
Resource Integration Management (AMRI700) – Level 7, 15 credits.
Contemporary Issues in Supply Chain and Logistics Management (AMSC700) – Level 7, 15 credits.
Preparation for Work Placement (AMGW700) – Level 7, 15 credits.
Industry Project (AMGP700) – Level 7, 30 credits, including 200 hours of work-integrated learning.
Elective choice
Students choose one of the following:
Business-to-Business Sales and Marketing (AMBB600).
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Leadership (AMHS600).
The 2026 handbook lists this as a 15-credit elective choice.
Important curriculum update
Ara's current programme page also lists updated course options and subject codes, including:
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Leadership (AMHS601) – 15 credits.
Marketing Intelligence (AMMI601) – 15 credits.
Operations Management (AMOM601) – 15 credits.
Project Management (AMPM601) – 15 credits.
Critical Reflection on Work (AMCR701) – 15 credits.
Resource Integration Management (AMRI701) – 15 credits.
Contemporary Issues in Supply Chain and Logistics Management (AMSC701) – 15 credits.
Main subjects and learning topics
Operations management and process improvement.
Project planning and management.
Resource integration and business coordination.
Contemporary supply-chain and logistics challenges.
Inventory management and stock control.
Demand planning and forecasting.
Procurement and sourcing fundamentals.
Logistics and transport coordination.
Warehouse operations and distribution.
Supply-chain network design.
Health, safety and wellbeing leadership.
Sustainability in supply-chain operations.
Workplace reflection and professional development.
Industry-based research and project work.
Disciplines / Specialisations
The qualification is a specialist Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Logistics.
It does not list separate formal specialisations within the diploma.
The main areas of focus include:
Supply-chain management.
Logistics and distribution management.
Procurement and sourcing.
Inventory and stock control.
Demand planning and forecasting.
Warehouse operations.
Transport coordination.
Operations management.
Resource integration.
Supply-chain sustainability and resilience.
Health, safety and wellbeing leadership.
Programme Highlights
One-year, full-time Level 7 Graduate Diploma.
120 credits.
Specialist focus on supply-chain logistics and business operations.
Includes 200 hours of workplace project experience.
Combines project management and operations management with specialist supply-chain subjects.
Covers procurement, inventory, forecasting, transport and distribution.
Develops knowledge of supply-chain resilience and sustainability.
Includes an industry project that allows students to address real operational challenges.
Introduces responsible and ethical use of AI in business.
Develops bicultural capability through Te Tiriti-informed professional practice.
Offers a pathway towards further postgraduate business study.
Career Outcomes
Ara identifies the following potential career opportunities:
Logistics coordinator.
Transport planner.
Warehouse supervisor.
Supply-chain analyst.
Procurement officer.
Supply-chain manager.
Additional career areas related to the programme's subject content include:
Inventory planning and control.
Distribution coordination.
Procurement and sourcing support.
Operations coordination.
Supply-chain project support.
Warehouse and logistics operations.
Potential employment sectors include:
Manufacturing.
Retail and wholesale distribution.
Transport and logistics.
Aviation.
Construction.
Import and export businesses.
Warehousing and supply-chain service providers.
Latest Updates / Special Requirements
Current programme updates
Ara currently advertises a July 2027 start.
The published start date is 19 July 2027.
The programme is listed at Madras Street, Christchurch.
The current programme listing confirms Level 7 and 120 credits.
The current programme description highlights responsible AI use, bicultural capability and 200 hours of workplace project experience.
The 2026 programme handbook confirms the one-year full-time duration and detailed course structure.
Work-integrated learning
The industry project includes 200 hours of work-integrated learning.
Students use their learning to examine operational challenges and business opportunities.
The programme includes preparation for work placement.
Students should confirm how the placement is arranged, whether Ara sources the host organisation and whether any additional placement-related costs apply.
International Student Visa Requirements
International students intending to study this one-year, full-time Graduate Diploma will generally need a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.
Ara's programme page confirms that the qualification may be available for a student visa. The final visa decision is made by Immigration New Zealand.
Fee Paying Student Visa – Immigration New Zealand
Current published visa details include:
Application cost: From NZD $850.
Maximum visa duration: Up to 4 years.
Processing time: 80% of applications within 7 weeks, according to the current Immigration New Zealand listing.
Study rights: Full-time study in the approved programme.
Work rights: Eligible students may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on the conditions printed on their visa.
Application timing: Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least 3 months before intended travel.
Main visa requirements
Applicants generally need to provide:
An Offer of Place from an approved New Zealand education provider.
Evidence of tuition fee payment or ability to pay the required tuition fees.
Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.
Evidence of acceptable medical and travel insurance.
A valid passport and acceptable photograph.
Evidence of genuine study intentions.
Evidence of good health and character.
Police certificates or medical/chest X-ray evidence, if required.
Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand.
Certified English translations of supporting documents where required.
Financial requirements
For tertiary students studying for one year or longer, Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of:
NZD $20,000 for each year of study; or
An acceptable sponsorship or other permitted funding arrangement.
Specific information for Indian applicants
Indian citizens may be able to use Immigration New Zealand's Funds Transfer Scheme, subject to its conditions.
For Indian citizens applying from South Asia, only immediate family members can provide sponsorship or a financial undertaking.
Immediate family members for this purpose include a partner, parents, siblings, grandparents and parents-in-law.
Applicants must provide genuine and verifiable evidence of the source and availability of funds.
Medical and travel insurance
International students must maintain acceptable medical and travel insurance for their stay.
Insurance must meet New Zealand's international student protection requirements and be acceptable to Ara.
Ara's 2027 guide lists NZD $925 for 12 months of full-time student insurance.
The final premium depends on the actual insurance period and insurer's terms.
Attendance, progress and work conditions
Students must attend the course stated on their visa unless they have a valid reason for absence.
Students must make satisfactory academic progress.
Work rights depend on the conditions printed on the visa.
Students who are permitted to work may work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled holidays.
Any required practical work experience that is part of the course is treated separately from ordinary student employment hours, subject to Immigration New Zealand's rules.
Students must maintain acceptable insurance and comply with all visa conditions.
Post Study Work Visa – important 2026 rule change
This qualification is a non-degree Level 7 Graduate Diploma. Under the rules applying before 16 November 2026, a Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Logistics is not specifically listed in the existing non-degree Level 7 qualification categories for a Post Study Work Visa.
However, Immigration New Zealand has announced an important change effective from 16 November 2026.
Under the new rules, graduates may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa if they:
Complete an NZQCF Level 7 Graduate Diploma.
Study full-time in New Zealand for the full duration of the qualification.
Remain enrolled in that qualification for its full duration; cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning does not meet this new requirement.
Hold a bachelor's degree, completed in New Zealand or overseas, with no time limit on when it was awarded.
