Queenstown Resort College (QRC)

Queenstown Resort College (QRC) is a private tertiary education provider based in Queenstown, New Zealand. It specialises in preparing students for careers in hospitality management, adventure tourism, tourism and related business fields through a combination of academic learning, practical training and industry experience.

QRC emphasises a “learn it, do it, be it” approach: students learn from academic and industry professionals, apply their knowledge in practical settings, and develop workplace-ready skills. Its diploma programmes include a paid industry internship, giving students opportunities to gain professional experience while studying.

Types of courses and study levels

QRC focuses on vocational and career-oriented tertiary education, with diploma programmes, a degree pathway and selected technology-related short courses.

Main programmes and pathways

• Diploma in Hospitality Management — NZQF Level 6: A 21-month programme covering hospitality operations, service, business and management. It includes a nine-month paid industry internship.

• Diploma in Adventure Tourism Management — NZQF Level 6: A 21-month programme covering adventure tourism operations, risk management, visitor experience, business development and leadership. It includes a nine-month paid internship.

• Bachelor of Entrepreneurship — Level 7 pathway: Eligible QRC diploma graduates can progress to the University of Otago’s Bachelor of Entrepreneurship, with a further 18 months of study. QRC states that the first intake at its central Queenstown campus is scheduled for January 2027.

• Graduate Diploma in Tourism, Technology and Innovation: QRC lists this as coming in 2027. Prospective students should confirm the final programme details, entry criteria, fees and intake before applying.

Number of programmes offered

QRC does not present one simple, definitive total on its current homepage that includes every diploma, degree pathway, micro-credential and short workshop. The best way to describe its current offering is by category:

• Main diploma programmes: 2 — Hospitality Management and Adventure Tourism Management.

• Degree progression: 1 advertised pathway — Bachelor of Entrepreneurship through the University of Otago, for eligible QRC graduates.

• Upcoming programme: Graduate Diploma in Tourism, Technology and Innovation, advertised for 2027.

• Additional offerings: Technology micro-credentials and selected short courses/workshops.

Highlights of Queenstown Resort College

Industry-focused education

QRC combines management theory with practical training and industry exposure in hospitality and adventure tourism

Study in a major tourism destination

Queenstown offers access to a wide range of tourism and hospitality businesses, providing a relevant environment for students interested in these sectors.

Paid internship experience

QRC advertises a nine-month paid internship as part of its main diploma programmes, giving students an opportunity to build workplace skills and professional connections. Actual placement and employment conditions should be confirmed with QRC.

Student accommodation and support

QRC advertises guaranteed accommodation for diploma students, along with academic, pastoral and wellbeing support. Students should confirm the applicable accommodation terms and costs before accepting an offer.

Latest updates — 2026 and 2027

The following are the main developments visible on QRC’s official website as of 24 October 2026.

• 2027 prospectus: QRC is promoting its 2027 prospectus for prospective students. Applicants should consult the latest prospectus and confirm programme-specific fees and entry requirements before applying.

• Bachelor of Entrepreneurship pathway: The University of Otago Bachelor of Entrepreneurship pathway is advertised with a first intake in January 2027 at QRC’s central Queenstown campus, requiring 18 months of further study for eligible QRC diploma graduates.

• Graduate Diploma planned for 2027: QRC lists a Graduate Diploma in Tourism, Technology and Innovation as coming in 2027. Confirm that applications have opened and that the programme is approved and available for your intended start date.

• Upcoming diploma intakes: QRC’s published dates page includes January, April, July and October 2027 intakes for its main diplomas. Confirm the exact start date and availability with admissions.

• Scholarship deadlines: QRC National Scholarship applications for 2027 closed on 18 September 2026, and the published SixStar 2027 deadline was 16 October 2026. Both deadlines have passed; contact QRC to ask whether any additional funding options are available. 

Scholarship

Queenstown Resort College (QRC) offers scholarships to support students pursuing careers in hospitality management and adventure tourism. However, the two scholarships currently advertised for 2027 have eligibility restrictions that exclude most international applicants who hold only overseas citizenship.

QRC’s official scholarship page lists the following awards:

• QRC National Scholarships: NZ$6,000 toward first-year diploma tuition.

• SixStar Hospitality Scholarship: A variable-value award paid directly to QRC and credited against tuition fees.

QRC National Scholarships — 2027

What does the scholarship cover?

Each award is worth NZ$6,000 and contributes toward the recipient’s first-year tuition fee. It is not advertised as a cash allowance for living expenses.

Eligible programmes

• Diploma in Hospitality Management — Level 6.

• Diploma in Adventure Tourism Management — Level 6.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

• Have submitted an application for an eligible QRC diploma for 2027 during 2026, before the scholarship deadline.

• Demonstrate enthusiasm for hospitality or adventure tourism.

• Show commitment to academic success, professionalism and leadership.

• Have a good academic record and evidence of achievement in extracurricular activities, sport, community involvement or leadership.

SixStar Hospitality Scholarship — 2027

Scholarship provider: SixStar, funded by the Philanthropic Charitable Trust and supported by New Zealand hospitality-industry leaders.

Scholarship value: The award amount varies. Successful funding is paid directly to QRC and credited against tuition fees. There is no single guaranteed award amount published for every recipient.

Eligible QRC programmes

• Diploma in Hospitality Management — Level 6.

• Diploma in Adventure Tourism Management — Level 6.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following published criteria:

• Residency or status: Be a New Zealand citizen, New Zealand permanent resident or hold refugee status.

• Programme acceptance: Be accepted into an approved hospitality, hotel management, tourism or culinary programme. The scholarship information indicates a preference for applicants with an overall NCEA Merit or Excellence endorsement at the level required for their programme.

• Financial need: Provide evidence of financial need, such as StudyLink Allowance approval or equivalent evidence where StudyLink is not available through the provider.

• Budget plan: Submit a detailed budget for the full duration of the study programme.

• Personal statement: Explain why the programme has been chosen and describe motivation, work or industry experience, leadership and extracurricular or community involvement.

• Reference: Provide a reference from a current workplace manager or secondary school.

Documents and application process

Applicants are instructed to apply online and upload the required documentation before the deadline. The SixStar process also specifies:

• A completed application for the chosen study programme, submitted separately to QRC.

• A reference form, preferably from a current employer.

• A guarantor declaration form.

• A signed scholarship terms and conditions form.

• Evidence supporting financial need and a study-period budget.

• Any additional information requested by the selection committee.

Other scholarships for international students

I could not verify any additional, currently published QRC scholarship that specifically offers funding to international students from India or other overseas countries.

QRC’s international-student page explains the support available to international students, including assistance with immigration, insurance, accommodation and student welfare. However, these services are not scholarships and should not be described as tuition funding.

International applicants should enquire directly about the following possibilities, without assuming that they are currently offered:

• International-student scholarships: Ask whether QRC plans to introduce an award specifically for overseas applicants for 2027 or later intakes.

• Tuition discounts or special offers: Ask whether any written tuition-fee discounts are available. I could not verify a current international discount on the official scholarship page.

• External funding: Check whether a government, employer or charitable organisation in the student’s home country can fund study in New Zealand. Eligibility will depend on the particular funding scheme.

• Future scholarship rounds: Ask QRC when the next scholarship cycle will open and whether international students will be considered.