This programme is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, or who have substantial relevant experience, and want to develop a specialist qualification in marketing without undertaking another full bachelor's degree.

Key reasons to consider it include:

• Marketing specialisation at Level 7: The programme develops advanced marketing knowledge at a level equivalent to the final year of a business degree.
• Practical and applied learning: Students apply marketing principles to real organisational and business situations.
• Strong focus on strategic marketing: Topics include strategic marketing management, buyer behaviour and marketing research.
• Research component: Students complete an Advanced Business Project, supported by research-methods study and academic supervision.
• Elective flexibility: The programme permits a Level 7 business elective, allowing students to broaden their business knowledge.
• Career-development focus: NMIT specifically positions the qualification for people seeking promotion, broader skills, a career change or self-employment.
• Pathway opportunities: Graduates can progress to Level 8 postgraduate study or Level 9 master's-level study at NMIT or another institution, subject to admission requirements. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The qualification is specifically focused on Marketing.

Within the marketing curriculum, students can develop knowledge in areas including:

• Marketing management
• Strategic marketing
• Marketing applications
• Buyer behaviour
• Marketing research
• Sales management
• Integrated marketing communications
• Services marketing
• International marketing
• SME marketing
• Brand management
• Customer experience
• Product management

Career Outcomes

The qualification is designed to prepare graduates for marketing and broader business roles.

NMIT specifically identifies opportunities in:

• Marketing and sales management
• Product management
• Merchandising
• Services marketing
• Marketing research
• Brand management
• Customer service management
• Key account management

Potential job titles listed by NMIT include:

• Marketing Manager
• Marketing Assistant
• Customer Operations Specialist
• Customer Support Engineer
• Customer Experience Specialist
• Quality Programme Officer
• Online Communications Officer
• Digital Marketing Specialis

Key Graduate Skills

On completion, graduates should be able to:

• Apply core business competencies such as critical thinking, decision-making, negotiation and problem-solving.
• Research and critically evaluate business information.
• Communicate business information effectively in written and oral formats.
• Select appropriate decision-making approaches for different business environments.
• Apply legal, sustainable, ethical and culturally appropriate business practices.
• Apply advanced marketing principles and concepts to real organisational problems. 

Latest Updates / Important Special Requirements

There are several important points for an applicant considering this course in 2026:

1. The programme remains live on NMIT's website.
The current programme page lists the Graduate Diploma in Marketing, Level 7, 120 credits, with Nelson intakes in 2027.

2. The current international prospectus does not list the programme.
NMIT's 2026 International Prospectus lists the Graduate Diploma in Management and Graduate Diploma in Information Technology but does not list the Graduate Diploma in Marketing. This is the biggest point an overseas applicant should clarify before applying.

3. There is a study-mode inconsistency on the programme webpage.
The summary currently says “Part time only”, while the detailed section describes a one-year full-time structure and says July is part-time only. An international applicant should confirm whether February 2027 full-time study is available to international students.

4. July intake is specifically part-time only.
This may create a visa issue for students who require full-time study.

5. Recognition of Academic Credit may be available.
Previous academic study and relevant work experience can potentially reduce the number of courses required, subject to NMIT assessment.