Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Certificate in Commerce (CertCom) provides a shorter way to gain university-level commerce knowledge without committing immediately to the full three-year Bachelor of Commerce.
• It is suitable for students who want to add commerce knowledge alongside another degree or who want a smaller, focused qualification.
• Students can select four courses from approved commerce-related subjects at 100, 200 and/or 300 level.
• Completed courses may be transferred into the Diploma in Commerce or Bachelor of Commerce, and some other UC degrees, provided the student has not already graduated with the Certificate.
• It provides an opportunity to develop knowledge in areas such as accounting, finance, economics, management and marketing.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Certificate requires 60 points from approved Bachelor of Commerce-related subject areas. Students choose four standard courses rather than following one fixed sequence.

Available subject areas include:

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

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Certificate in Commerce does not have formally designated majors or specialisations.

Students instead select courses from the approved subject areas:

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

Programme Highlights

• 60-point undergraduate certificate.
• Can be completed in approximately 6 months full-time.
• February and July starts.
• Four courses can be selected from approved subject areas.
• Flexible choice of 100-, 200- and 300-level courses.
• Can provide a pathway towards the Diploma in Commerce or Bachelor of Commerce.
• Credit from completed courses can be transferred to the Diploma in Commerce or Bachelor of Commerce, provided the student has not already graduated with the Certificate.
• Provides a shorter alternative to undertaking a complete Bachelor of Commerce. 

Career Outcomes

The Certificate can provide introductory or additional commerce knowledge useful across business environments, but it is not equivalent to a full bachelor's degree.

UC identifies commerce-related career areas including:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Financial analysis
• Operations management
• Marketing
• Information systems
• Management
• Consulting
• Entrepreneurship/business ownership.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current UC Certificate in Commerce page confirms 60 points, February/July starts and a 6-month full-time duration.
• Current international tuition estimates have been updated for 2026–2028.
• Course selection is flexible, but higher-level courses require the relevant prerequisites.
• UC states that transfer of completed Certificate courses into the Diploma in Commerce or Bachelor of Commerce is possible only if the student has not graduated with the Certificate beforehand.
• The supplied IPU page is not a Certificate in Commerce page. It currently identifies itself as the Master of Contemporary International Studies, says the programme is being renamed, and states that it is no longer accepting new enrolments.
• Therefore, IPU should not be treated as the programme provider or source for the Certificate in Commerce. The authoritative programme information is from UC.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the Certificate in Commerce in New Zealand, the relevant visa will generally be the Fee Paying Student Visa if the student is paying international tuition fees.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Visa: Fee Paying Student Visa.
• Cost: from NZD$850.
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years.
• Processing: 80% within 8.5 weeks.
• An Offer of Place from an approved education provider is required.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition-fee funds or an applicable scholarship is required.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor is required.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance is required.
• Applicants must satisfy health, character and genuine-study requirements.
• Students must be able to show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.

Living-fund requirement for tertiary study:

• NZD$20,000 for each year when studying for one year or more.
• NZD$1,667 for each month when the course of study is shorter than one year. Since the Certificate can be completed in six months, the monthly requirement is particularly relevant to a six-month study plan.

Work rights:

• Eligible student-visa holders may work up to 25 hours per week during study and may be able to work full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on the conditions printed on their visa. Students should check their individual eVisa conditions rather than assuming work rights.