Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Graduate Diploma of Contemporary International Studies (GDCIS) is designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree and want to expand their knowledge through specialised, internationally oriented and interdisciplinary study.
• It allows students to select papers across areas such as language studies, international business and international relations, rather than being restricted to one narrow subject area.
• The programme can help students develop international awareness, critical thinking, research and essay-writing skills, and intercultural communication abilities.
• Students can choose an internship option, providing an opportunity to connect academic learning with workplace experience.
• Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma to a sufficiently high level may apply for postgraduate study, subject to the entry requirements of the subsequent programme.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme consists of eight papers selected from IPU's approved list:

• 3 papers at Level 6
• 5 papers at Level 7
• Total: 120 credits.

Current paper options published by IPU include:

Language Studies / TESOL

• 10.612 Asia-Pacific Cultures Through Literary Texts
• 10.614 English as an International Language
• 10.615 Creative Writing
• 10.616 Introduction to Language Teaching
• 10.617 Introduction to Language Learning
• 10.711 English as an International Language
• 10.712 Literature and the Land
• 10.713A/B Introduction to TESOL
• 10.714 Teaching Young Learners

Japanese Studies

• 20.612 Japanese Business 2
• 20.613 Political Economy of Japan
• 20.711 Social Conflict in Modern Japan
• 20.713 Japanese Foreign Policy

International Business

• 30.602 Fundamentals of Corporate Finance
• 30.603 Management Accounting
• 30.611 Asia Pacific Business Environment
• 30.616 The Business of the Environment
• 30.622 Investment Management
• 30.623 Auditing
• 30.624 Product Management
• 30.625 Organisational Behaviour
• 30.716 Small Business and Entrepreneurship

International Relations

• 50.610 Internationalism
• 50.611 Human Rights: The Politics of Democracy and Authoritarianism
• 50.612 Politics of the Free Market
• 50.613 Politics of the Environment
• 50.614 New Zealand – East Asian Relations
• 50.615 Southeast Asia
• 50.711 War and Peace: Security and Stability
• 50.712 Foreign Policy in the Information Age
• 50.713 North East Asia

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current GDCIS programme page identifies three main specialist areas:

• Language Studies
• International Business
• International Relations

The available paper list also provides substantial study opportunities in:

• Japanese Studies
• TESOL and language teaching
• Business and management
• Finance and accounting
• International relations and politics.

Programme Highlights

• One-year full-time graduate diploma.
• 120 credits.
• Eight papers.
• Three Level 6 papers and five Level 7 papers.
• Flexible interdisciplinary paper selection.
• Online and on-campus study options are presented by IPU.
• Optional internship opportunities.
• Opportunity to include the Trinity College London TESOL Certificate through the relevant TESOL papers.
• Designed specifically for graduates seeking additional internationally focused knowledge and skills.
• Potential pathway into postgraduate study after successful completion. 

Career Outcomes

IPU identifies professional outcomes at supervisory and management level, particularly for positions requiring an understanding of the links between international business, politics and the environment and a high level of intercultural sensitivity.

General job types listed by IPU include:

• Executive
• Manager
• Specialist
• Supervisor
• Team Leader.

IPU also identifies in-demand areas such as:

• Advertising and public relations
• Business development
• Education
• Financial and accounting roles
• Human resource management
• International relations
• Business and administration management
• Marketing and sales
• Product management
• Quality control and quality management
• Programme coordination.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• IPU's current programme page continues to list the GDCIS as a one-year, 120-credit qualification with eight papers.
• Each student's proposed combination of papers must be approved by the Dean of the Faculty of International Studies.
• Not all listed papers are offered every year.
• Students selecting the Trinity TESOL option need to take the 10.713A/B double paper in the Summer Term.
• Exact 2026 paper availability, intake-specific timetable, current internship availability and any programme-specific conditions are not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the GDCIS on campus in New Zealand, the relevant visa will generally be the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to the student's individual circumstances. Immigration New Zealand requires an offer of place from an approved education provider and evidence of tuition funding.

Key requirements include:

• Valid offer of place from the education provider.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, can be paid, or are covered by an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Evidence of outward travel or sufficient funds to purchase an onward ticket.
• Meeting health and character requirements where applicable.
• Demonstrating genuine intention to study in New Zealand.