Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Ara Institute of CanterburyGraduate Diploma in Applied 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
OverviewIf you're seeking a broad business pathway, this specialisation offers room to shape study around existing experience, career goals and areas of interest. It's less about narrowing into one discipline and more about building applied management capability that can transfer across sectors and roles.
Elective choices allow you to create a coherent mix of business learning, supported by workplace reflection and an industry project. The result is practical development in communication, leadership, critical thinking and decision-making across operational and strategic settings.
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.
- Business knowledge for operational and strategic settings
- Elective topics across business disciplines
- Leadership, influence and teamwork
- Professional communication in business environments
- Digital tools and ethical AI use
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Evidence-based decision making
- Culturally responsive business practice
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te ao Māori principles
- Reflective practice and career planning
- Workplace learning through placement
- Research-informed industry project work
Entry criteria
Academic RequirementsA Bachelor's degree in any field excluding applied 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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