HomeProgrammesBusinessGraduate Diploma in Accounting

Graduate Diploma in Accounting

Level 7

Upskill to become a professional accountant and help organisational leaders make smart financial decisions with the UCOL Te Pūkenga Graduate Diploma in Accounting.

A UCOL lecturer interacting with a student.
Quick info

Level: 7

Locations: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

Duration: 1 year full-time (40 weeks)
Part time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)

Dates:
22 Jul 2024 - 27 Jun 2025

Domestic Fees: *
$6,711.00

Scholarship info

International Fees:*
$25,000.00 + Student Services Levy $591.00

Additional Fees
Compulsory course costs may apply.

* Fees are indicative only, and are inclusive of the student services levy and GST (goods and services tax). The fee shown is for one year of study.

Accountants provide a valuable service to organisations and businesses - recording business transactions, preparing financial statements and reports, and helping management with strategic planning.

The UCOL Graduate Diploma in Accounting course will give you the expertise to manage financial information and the skills to create and implement financial strategies. You'll also gain real-world experience by working with a local business/organisation on a project.

 Course Hours & Duration

This programme runs for 40 weeks, including 6 holiday weeks.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time
9 hrs

In-person, online and plus block courses at UCOL Te Pūkenga.
Industry Experience
12-14 hrs

Industry placement or internship.
Study Time
20 hrs

Study in your own time.

You can also choose to study part-time. Talk to us about your options with this programme.

 Career & Study Outcomes

  • Management accountant
  • Financial accountant
  • Operations and production management

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries for Accountants, see careers.govt.nz

 Course Information

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL Te Pūkenga is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.

This programme consists of 120 credits. 

Level 6 courses

Intermediate Financial Accounting (15 credits)
Learn to apply the regulatory and technical aspects of financial accounting and external reporting for companies, and evaluate financial and non-financial information.

Intermediate Management Accounting (15 credits)
Learn to collect, interpret, present and use relevant management accounting information for an organisation to effectively plan, control and make appropriate decisions regarding business operations.

Taxation in New Zealand (15 credits)
Apply knowledge of taxation rules to New Zealand taxable entities in a range of situations.

Level 7 courses

Advanced Financial Accounting (15 credits)
Gain a sufficient understanding of New Zealand's financial reporting environment, and sufficient technical skills to prepare complex financial statements that comply with generally accepted accounting practice. You'll also gain a wider appreciation of financial reporting to enable you to respond and contribute to the development of the accounting profession.

Advanced Management Accounting (15 credits)
Learn advanced techniques and gain skills to be able to provide and evaluate accounting information, including its behavioural implications and contribute to organisational success.

Professional Practice (15 credits)
Preparation for transition into an applied business profession. You'll source an industry project/internship and produce appropriate documentation.

Industry Project/Internship (30 credits)
An applied research project involving a work placement at an organisation to which theoretical learning and self-reflection is applied.

 Student & Staff Profiles

 Industry Connections

The Graduate Diploma is well supported by industry and this strong industry involvement means that learners are able to apply their knowledge and skills and develop an analytical approach to real world problems and issues.

 Domestic Entry Requirements

A bachelor's degree in any field excluding Accounting

Alternative:
Level 6 or 7 Diploma and relevant work and/or life experience (equivalent to a Bachelor's degree) or Evidence of equivalent practical, professional or educational experience e.g. 3 - 5 years full time work experience [relevant to business studies].

English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible). Students with NCEA Level 3 University Entrance are not required to provide evidence of English Language skills.

 

For more information about NCEA Credits see the UCOL Te Pūkenga NCEA explained page.

 International Entry Requirements

Places are available to international learners on a full-fee basis. 

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international learner applicants.

English language proficiency
International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age
In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency

 Advice & Guidance

It is recommended that the applicants for this programme have some background and knowledge in Accounting. A conversation with the programme manager before enrolling is highly recommended.

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a learner believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL | Te Pūkenga Academic Statute and other relevant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

  • National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
  • Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
  • Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
  • Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

 Additional Costs

Approximately $578 for textbooks.

 Accreditation

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning Limited, a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga is accredited to teach it.

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