Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Graduate Diploma in Commerce (GradDipCom) is a 120-point qualification designed to complement or extend an existing bachelor's degree with university-level Commerce study.
• It is suitable for graduates whose first degree was not necessarily in Commerce but who now want to develop business and commerce knowledge.
• It can be particularly useful for:
  • Career changers moving into business-related roles.
  • Graduates seeking professional development.
  • Professionals already working in business-focused positions who want to strengthen their knowledge.
  • Students preparing for further postgraduate study in a Commerce discipline.
• Students have considerable flexibility in selecting courses and can either concentrate on one Commerce subject or create a broader programme across Commerce areas.
• The qualification can provide a pathway toward further postgraduate study, including master's-level study, subject to the admission requirements of the subsequent qualification.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The qualification is deliberately flexible.

Students must complete:

• 120 points total.
• Courses at 200- and/or 300-level.
• At least 75 points at 300-level.
• At least 60 points at 300-level within one Commerce subject.

The six approved Commerce subjects are:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Finance
• Information Systems
• Management
• Marketing.

The student can therefore choose a concentration or combine disciplines.

Examples of topics available across these Commerce areas include:

• Accounting and financial reporting
• Economics and economic analysis
• Finance and financial markets
• Information systems and business technology
• Management and organisational practice
• Marketing and consumer behaviour.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The regulations identify six areas in which the Graduate Diploma in Commerce may be awarded:

1. Accounting
2. Economics
3. Finance
4. Information Systems
5. Management
6. Marketing.

Programme Highlights

• 120-point Graduate Diploma.
• One-year full-time option.
• Up to four years part-time.
• February and July entry points.
• Bachelor's degree required, but it does not necessarily need to be in Commerce.
• Six Commerce subject areas.
• Flexible curriculum.
• Minimum 75 points at 300-level.
• Minimum 60 points at 300-level in one subject.
• Can be used for professional development or career transition.
• Can provide preparation for further postgraduate study.
• No Honours, Distinction or Merit is awarded for this qualification.
• UC's regulations allow a student who has completed the qualification to potentially apply for admission to the Bachelor of Commerce and transfer eligible credits, subject to approval and the applicable rules.

Career Outcomes

UC identifies a broad range of potential career directions for Commerce graduates, including:

• Accountant
• Economist
• Financial analyst
• Marketing professional
• Information systems specialist
• Manager
• Business consultant
• Entrepreneur/business owner.

For example:

• Accounting can support accounting, financial reporting and related business roles.
• Economics can support economic analysis, policy and business analysis.
• Finance can support financial analysis, banking and investment-related roles.
• Information Systems can support business technology and information-management roles.
• Management can support management, consulting and organisational roles.
• Marketing can support marketing, communications, consumer and brand-related roles.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current UC GradDipCom regulations were established from 1 January 2018 and the qualification was first offered in 2017.
• The qualification has a 48-month maximum completion period.
• A student's programme must be approved by the Executive Dean of Business or delegate.
• A student may be withdrawn if they fail a course, except where exceptional circumstances apply and permission is obtained from the Executive Dean of Business or delegate.
• Honours, Distinction and Merit are not awarded.
• Course prerequisites and availability must be checked before enrolment.
• The programme's flexibility does not mean students can automatically select any 120 Commerce points; the 200/300-level and 300-level single-subject requirements must be satisfied.
• For international applicants, overseas academic qualifications are subject to UC equivalency assessment.
• The programme can lead toward further postgraduate study, but admission to a master's programme is not automatic and depends on the entry requirements of the next qualification.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the GradDipCom physically in New Zealand, the normal visa is the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an acceptable scholarship.
• Sufficient money for living expenses, or an acceptable sponsor.
• Insurance acceptable to the education provider.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study in New Zealand.
• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand.
• Online visa application.