Why Study / Key Benefits

• Develop practical business knowledge for operational roles in a range of organisations.

• Learn how to support business operations through accounting, sales and marketing, human resources, risk management, communication, decision-making and problem-solving.

• Build the ability to contribute to innovation, organisational change and effective stakeholder relationships.

• Study professional and ethical business practice in bicultural and multicultural environments.

• The qualification offers a pathway to the second year of a relevant WITT bachelor’s degree:

  • Accounting strand: Bachelor of Accounting.

  • Leadership and Management strand: Bachelor of Applied Management.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The qualification comprises 120 credits at Level 5. Students choose one of two strands: Accounting or Leadership and Management.

WITT describes the learning outcomes and subject areas as including:

• Business operations and operational management.

• Accounting principles and practices.

• Sales and marketing.

• Human resource management.

• Risk management.

• Business research, information gathering and communication.

• Stakeholder and business relationship management.

• Problem-solving and operational decision-making.

• Innovation and organisational change.

• Managing individual and team learning and performance.

• Professional and ethical behaviour in socially and culturally appropriate ways.

• The impact of internal and external business environments.

• Application of the Treaty of Waitangi and the bicultural partnership to business activities and relationships.

Strand focus:

• Accounting: specialised accounting knowledge and skills for operational business and accounting roles.

• Leadership and Management: specialised skills for operational leadership, management and business performance.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Students select one of these two specialisations:

• Accounting – for learners interested in accounting, financial information and business finance functions.

• Leadership and Management – for learners interested in supervising operations, managing people and supporting organisational performance.

Programme Highlights

• Two focused business specialisations under one Level 5 diploma.

• Coverage of operational business functions, including accounting, HR, marketing and risk management.

• Emphasis on ethical and culturally appropriate business practice.

• Business decision-making, communication and stakeholder relationship skills.

• A stated pathway into the second year of a related WITT bachelor’s programme.

• WITT states that international graduates may be eligible for an open Post Study Work Visa. Eligibility is determined by Immigration New Zealand’s rules in force at the time of application, not guaranteed by the programme.

Career Outcomes

Potential career directions based on the programme’s two strands and stated operational-business learning outcomes include:

• Accounting strand: accounts support, finance administration, accounts payable or receivable, bookkeeping support and other junior operational accounting roles.

• Leadership and Management strand: team leader, operations supervisor, assistant manager, business administrator and junior management roles.

• Both strands can support progression into operational roles across private businesses, public organisations and not-for-profit entities.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The programme page currently advertises the 2027 intakes: 22 February and 19 July 2027.

• WITT currently advertises the programme’s NZD $2,000 international scholarship for eligible new students commencing in 2027.

• The programme page notes that international graduates may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa; applicants should check the current INZ qualification and visa criteria before relying on this pathway.

• WITT states that international fees may increase in a new academic year and that any increase must be paid before enrolment and attendance.

• No programme-specific work placement, internship, professional registration or additional health requirement is stated on the accessible programme page.

 

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally need a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa for full-time study. The following are the current general Immigration New Zealand requirements; they are not additional WITT admission requirements.

Visa cost and processing:

• Application fee: from NZD $850.

• Processing: 80% of applications within 7 weeks, according to the current INZ visa page.

• Maximum visa duration: up to 4 years, although the visa is normally granted for the period of study paid for.

• INZ recommends applying at least 3 months before intended travel.

Main requirements:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.

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

• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.

• Evidence of acceptable medical and travel insurance for the required period.

• Meeting health and character requirements.

• A genuine intention to study and evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the authorised stay.

• Evidence of satisfactory attendance and academic progress if already studying in New Zealand.

Living-cost funds:

• For tertiary study lasting one year or more, INZ requires NZD $20,000 for each year of study.

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

• The student must also demonstrate funds for outward travel, or hold a ticket out of New Zealand.

For this one-year diploma, a student should plan to show at least NZD $20,000 for living costs, in addition to the required tuition-fee evidence and outward-travel funds.

Work rights:

• The student visa may allow part-time work for up to 25 hours per week during study.

• Full-time work may be permitted during scheduled holidays, depending on the conditions printed on the individual visa.

• Work permission is not automatic for every student; check the eVisa conditions before starting employment.

Additional guidance for applicants applying from India:

• INZ states that applicants from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or Bhutan who apply from within South Asia can only use immediate family members as sponsors or financial undertakings.

• INZ defines immediate family for this purpose as a partner, parents, siblings, grandparents or parents-in-law.

• Applicants may also investigate the Funds Transfer Scheme if eligible under INZ rules.

Post-study work visa:

• WITT indicates that international graduates may be eligible for an open Post Study Work Visa.

• This is not a guarantee. The graduate must meet the Immigration New Zealand qualification, study-duration and other applicable requirements when applying.