Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Diploma in Business Studies is a flexible undergraduate business qualification designed for students who want an introduction to tertiary-level business study without committing immediately to a full bachelor’s degree. Massey describes it as suitable for students who want to “dip their toes” into tertiary study.
• The programme allows considerable choice because the majority of available courses come from the Bachelor of Business and its majors.
• Students can combine business subjects from areas such as accountancy, human resource management, finance, management, marketing, information systems, economics, communication and journalism, retail and business.
• The qualification can be completed full-time in approximately one year or studied part-time over a longer period, making it suitable for students seeking flexibility.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or study online from outside New Zealand.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The qualification is deliberately flexible rather than being built around one compulsory specialisation.

The current structure requires 120 credits:

• 90 credits from the approved Diploma in Business Studies schedule
• 30 elective credits
• Up to 75 credits can be at 100 level
• At least 45 credits must be at 200 level or above.

The current programme page lists courses from a broad range of business-related subject prefixes, including:

• Accountancy
• Human Resource Management
• College of Business
• Finance
• Property Studies
• Management
• Dispute Resolution
• Marketing
• Information Systems
• Economics
• Communication and Journalism
• Retail
• Business.

Examples of currently listed courses include:

• 190116 Introduction to Management in Aviation – 15 credits
• 190211 Aviation Strategic Management – 15 credits
• 190220 Managing Airline Systems – 15 credits
• 190306 Airline Strategic Management – 15 credits
• 190318 Air Transport Economics – 15 credits

Disciplines/Specialisations

The qualification can be taken:

• Without Specialisation
• With a Financial Advice specialisation/endorsement

The Financial Advice option is separate from the programme requested here and is intended for students who have completed the Certificate in Financial Advice

Programme Highlights

• 120-credit undergraduate diploma.
• Usually completable in one year full-time.
• Flexible part-time study option.
• Campus study available in Auckland, Wellington and Manawat.
• Distance/online study available.
• International students can study online from outside New Zealand.
• Broad choice of business-related subjects rather than a compulsory single specialisation.
• Majority of available courses are drawn from the Bachelor of Business and its majors.
• Up to 30 credits can be selected as electives from elsewhere at Massey, subject to the regulations.
• At least 45 credits must be at 200 level or above, supporting progression beyond introductory study.

Career Outcomes

Because the Without Specialisation pathway allows students to select courses across several business disciplines, career outcomes depend substantially on the subjects chosen.

Potential areas of application can include:

• Business administration
• Management support
• Marketing
• Human resources
• Finance-related business roles
• Accountancy-related entry-level roles
• Information systems/business support
• Retail and commercial operations
• Business communication
• Economics-related business work
• Aviation business and management, where aviation courses are selected.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current programme is open to international students both on campus in New Zealand and online from outside New Zealand.
• Returning students should check the Transitional Provisions because available majors, specialisations and course requirements can change.
• Course prerequisites must be considered when planning the diploma, particularly for progression into higher-level courses.
• Massey recommends that international students apply at least three months before their anticipated start date to allow time for admission processing, visa arrangements and travel planning.
• The current 2027 general international application deadlines are 31 October 2026 for Semester One and 1 May 2027 for Semester Two.
• 2027 programme-specific tuition fees have not been published on the current programme page: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying this diploma physically in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Evidence of good health and character.
• A genuine reason for coming to New Zealand to study.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance for the period of study/visa.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.
• Medical examination/chest X-ray and police certificates where required.