Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Ara Institute of CanterburyGraduate Diploma in Operations and Product Management
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Graduate Certificate or Diploma
Duration
1 year
Next start date
Expected Jul 2027
Campus
Christchurch - City Campus
Summary
OverviewBetter outcomes often come from improving how work flows, how resources are used and how products or services are developed. This specialisation focuses on the practical decisions that shape quality, efficiency, safety, sustainability and customer value.
Rather than treating operations as back-office work, the programme connects process improvement with product development, resource integration and performance management. Workplace learning and an industry project give you a way to apply operational thinking to real organisational needs.
Key features- Gain real business experience:
Build professional credibility through 200 hours of workplace projects.
- Use AI responsibly:
Develop practical AI capability while understanding ethical and effective use.
- Strengthen bicultural capability:
Build confidence applying te Tiriti-informed approaches in professional environments.
- Change direction faster:
Move into this business specialisation with just one year of study.
- Operations management
- Health, safety and wellbeing leadership
- Resource integration management
- Product development management
- Process design and improvement
- Quality management and assurance
- Capacity and resource planning
- Performance measurement and reporting
- Marketing intelligence or project management
- Sustainable operations practice
- Professional communication and teamwork
- Workplace reflection and industry project work
Entry criteria
Academic RequirementsA Bachelor's degree in any field excluding operations and product management
Alternative RequirementsApplications from mature students (over 20 years) are welcome. If you don't have the stated entry criteria, talk to us about whether you have the equivalent skills and knowledge or to determine if this is the right programme for you.
If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry.
Note: The number of courses you have to complete for this qualification may be reduced where you have relevant credits from previous study, or evidence of similar learning or experience in the workplace.
English RequirementsWhat if English is not my first Language?
Overall IELTS 6.0 Academic
- 5.5 Listening
- 5.5 Reading
- 5.5 Writing
- 5.5 Speaking
If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study.
- Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives
- English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
- If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
- If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, please book a PTE Academic test through the Ara Examination Centre or complete an NZQA-approved English language test in your home country.
- IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
- What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance?
- You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills.
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