Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Diploma in Commerce is a one-year undergraduate qualification designed for students who want to develop business knowledge without committing to the full three-year Bachelor of Commerce.
• It allows students to choose courses from a broad range of Commerce and business-related subjects.
• Students can study courses at different levels, subject to prerequisites.
• It is suitable for students wanting additional business knowledge, professional development, or an introduction to commerce.
• The flexible course structure allows students to build knowledge in areas such as accounting, finance, economics, management, marketing and information systems.
• The Diploma can be used as a pathway into UC's Bachelor of Commerce, with the possibility of transferring completed courses/credits subject to UC's regulations.
• UC notes that students can build a portfolio of business-related experience through internships, projects and extracurricular activities, although these opportunities are not guaranteed as part of the Diploma itself.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Diploma is highly flexible.

Students complete:

• 120 points in total.
• Courses selected from the Bachelor of Commerce course schedule.
• Courses may be selected at different levels, subject to prerequisites.
• There is no prescribed set of compulsory courses.

The current approved Commerce subject areas listed by UC are:

• Accounting
• Business
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Finance
• Information Systems
• Management
• Marketing
• Mathematics
• Statistics.

Students may therefore build a programme around topics such as:

• Accounting and financial information
• Economics
• Finance and financial markets
• Management
• Marketing
• Business strategy
• Information systems and technology
• Business analytics/data-related topics
• Statistics and quantitative analysis
• Computer Science-related business applications.

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no formal majors or minors in the Diploma in Commerce.

However, students can effectively create an area of focus by selecting multiple courses from one subject area.

Possible study focuses include:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Economics
• Management
• Marketing
• Information Systems
• Business
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Statistics.

Programme Highlights

• 120-point undergraduate Diploma.
• 1 year full-time.
• Up to 6 years part-time.
• February and July intakes.
• Flexible course selection.
• Courses can be selected from Bachelor of Commerce subjects.
• No formal majors or minors.
• Study options can vary between campus and distance learning depending on individual courses.
• Up to 30 points of previous tertiary study may be transferred, subject to approval.
• Completed Diploma courses can potentially be transferred into the Bachelor of Commerce.
• Suitable for students wanting business knowledge without completing the full three-year BCom.
• Suitable for professional development and broad business education.
• Diploma first offered in 2022 under the current qualification regulations.

Career Outcomes

UC states that Diploma graduates may find employment in many areas of business, ranging from entry-level positions through management and entrepreneurship.

Potential career areas include:

• Accounting support
• Finance
• Banking and financial services
• Business administration
• Marketing
• Sales
• Management support
• Information systems
• Business analysis
• Operations
• Entrepreneurship
• Statistics/data-related business roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The Diploma in Commerce is currently an active UC qualification.
• UC's current programme page confirms 120 points, 1 year full-time and up to 6 years part-time.
• The qualification has no formal majors or minors.
• The qualification can be used as a pathway into the Bachelor of Commerce.
• Students who have completed the Diploma but have not graduated can apply for admission to the BCom and transfer their credits.
• Even after graduating with the Diploma, students may apply to have the Diploma subsumed into the BCom, subject to the relevant UC approval and credit regulations.
• Transfers from other institutions are limited to a maximum of 30 points under the Diploma-specific regulations.
• Honours, Distinction and Merit are not awarded for the Diploma.
• Courses above 100-level may require prerequisites.
• Course availability and delivery mode can change from semester to semester.
• The Diploma does not itself provide a professional accounting or other regulated professional licence.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students who intend to study the Diploma in Commerce in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to Immigration New Zealand's assessment.

Current requirements include:

• An Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the authorised stay.