Why Study / Key Benefits

The programme is designed for students seeking practical hospitality training alongside business and management knowledge.

• Industry-focused education: Develop the operational and professional skills used in hotels, resorts, restaurants and other hospitality businesses.

• Paid industry internship: Complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of paid employment during a nine-month internship.

• Practical and theoretical learning: Combine hands-on hospitality training with accounting, marketing, leadership and business management.

• International service standards: Learn using a curriculum influenced by Swiss hospitality service standards.

• Queenstown industry exposure: Study in a tourism-focused destination with hotels, resorts, restaurants and visitor services.

• Small classes and individual support: QRC promotes practical teaching and personalised academic and internship guidance.

• Career development: Build workplace experience, industry contacts and professional confidence before graduation.

• Further-study pathways: Eligible graduates may progress to selected bachelor's degree programmes in New Zealand, Australia or Switzerland, subject to the receiving institution's requirements.

• Accommodation support: QRC advertises guaranteed accommodation for diploma students through its halls of residence arrangements.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The diploma consists of six terms divided into three main phases: foundational and practical learning, paid industry employment, and advanced hospitality management.

Year 1 – Term 1: Hospitality foundations

Students develop their understanding of tourism, hospitality service and professional workplace expectations.

• Tourism Fundamentals – Level 5.

• Information Technology – Level 5.

• Business Research and Communication – Level 5.

• Cultural Intelligence – Level 5.

• Food, Beverage and Bar Service – Level 4.

• Hospitality Regulations – Level 5.

Year 1 – Term 2: Practical and operational skills

This term builds operational and commercial knowledge for hospitality environments.

• Business Accounting and Analysis – Level 5.

• Marketing – Level 5.

• Food Production – Level 4.

• Contemporary Food and Beverage Management – Level 5.

• Hotel Operations – Level 5.

• Elective: Wine Studies – Level 5.

• Elective: Events – Level 4.

Students select either Wine Studies or Events as their elective, subject to minimum enrolment numbers.

Terms 3 and 4: Paid industry internship

• Minimum 1,000 hours of industry employment.

• Nine-month placement with a hotel, resort or hospitality-related business.

• Application of classroom knowledge in a professional environment.

• Workplace training, performance feedback and industry mentoring.

QRC assists students through its internship process, but the employer retains discretion over whether to offer a particular position.

Year 2 – Term 5: Hospitality operations and business development

• Business Development – Level 6.

• Leadership – Level 6.

• Rooms Division Management – Level 6.

• Hospitality Operations and Cost Control – Level 6.

• Elective: Wine Studies – Level 6.

• Elective: Events – Level 6.

The elective depends on the available options and minimum enrolment numbers.

Year 2 – Term 6: Leadership and business management

• Law – Level 6.

• Human Resource Management – Level 6.

• Economics – Level 6.

• Managerial Accounting – Level 6.

• Sales and Marketing – Level 6.

• Capstone: Hotel Strategy Simulation – Level 6.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme focuses on hospitality and hotel management, with optional subject areas that allow students to explore particular industry interests.

Main disciplines

• Hotel and resort operations.

• Food and beverage service and management.

• Hospitality business management.

• Rooms division and front-office operations.

• Accounting, finance and cost control.

• Marketing, sales and business development.

• Human resources and leadership.

• Tourism fundamentals and cultural intelligence.

• Hospitality law and regulations.

Elective specialisations

• Wine Studies.

• Events.

Programme Highlights

• Industry experience: A minimum of 1,000 hours of paid industry employment during the nine-month internship.

• Practical learning: Hospitality service training is combined with business theory and operational practice.

• Small-class environment: QRC promotes hands-on training and personalised academic support.

• Queenstown location: Study in a destination with an established tourism and hospitality industry.

• Industry networking: Internship experience can help students build professional relationships with employers.

• Accommodation support: QRC advertises guaranteed accommodation for diploma students through its halls of residence arrangements.

• Elective choice: Students can explore Wine Studies or Events, subject to course availability.

• Further-study options: Degree pathways may be available through partner institutions, subject to their admission and credit-transfer policies.

• Professional development: QRC emphasises attendance, punctuality, personal presentation, courtesy and respectful workplace conduct.

Career Outcomes

Graduates may pursue entry-level and developing supervisory roles across hospitality operations. The programme's management subjects and paid internship are intended to support progression towards leadership positions.

Potential career directions include:

• Front-office or guest-services supervisor.

• Food and beverage supervisor.

• Rooms division or accommodation operations supervisor.

• Hospitality operations coordinator.

• Junior hotel or resort management roles.

• Hospitality accounts or finance support roles.

• Sales and marketing coordinator in hospitality.

• Human resources or recruitment support in hotel operations.

• Events-related roles, where relevant elective learning and experience have been completed.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The following points are particularly important for international applicants planning a 2027 intake.

• 2027 intakes: QRC lists January, April, July and October entry points, with published term-start dates.

• Accommodation: QRC advertises guaranteed accommodation for diploma students, but students should confirm room availability, accommodation charges and the applicable agreement.

• Internship: Students must complete at least 1,000 hours of paid industry employment. The employer's recruitment process and employment requirements still apply.

• Uniform: QRC provides a professional business uniform for Hospitality Management students. Students must supply appropriate smart black business shoes and suitable socks or stockings.

• Laptop: Students must supply their own laptop computer.

• Community service: QRC states that diploma students must complete 10 hours of community service.

• Professional Excellence system: QRC monitors attendance, punctuality, courtesy, grooming, honesty and respect. Students who lose too many Professional Excellence points may face counselling or disciplinary action.

• Insurance: Students must maintain insurance acceptable to QRC and meeting applicable immigration requirements.

• Visa and fees: International students should confirm payment deadlines and the timing of their visa application before making travel arrangements.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students generally need a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa to study this programme. Admission to QRC and approval of a visa are separate decisions.

General requirements

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.

• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, can be paid under an accepted arrangement, or are covered by an applicable scholarship.

• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.

• Evidence of onward travel arrangements or funds to purchase an onward ticket.

• A valid passport and required identity documents.

• Evidence of genuine intentions to study.

• Evidence that health and character requirements are met.

• Medical and travel insurance acceptable to the provider and Immigration New Zealand.

• Any additional documents requested by Immigration New Zealand.