New Zealand Diploma in Business

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.

From 2023, UCOL and the programme you have enrolled in will become part of Te Pūkenga. So, if you join UCOL in 2023, you will be awarded Te Pūkenga certification. And, if you are a current learner graduating in 2023, you will be awarded a co-branded certificate.

This programme consists of 120 Credits. The course includes:

Your studies will differ according to your chosen area of focus - Accounting or Leadership and Management.

UCOL Te Pūkenga Wairarapa only offers the Leadership and Management strand.

CORE COURSES

Business Environments (15 Credits)
Learn to analyse environmental influences on a business entity. The course covers:

• External environments - government policy, legislation, common law, economic dynamics, technology, sustainable management, and social trends
• Internal environments - systems, structure, resources, and organisational culture
• Economics - the principles of scarcity, and supply and demand
  
• Risk management and creating a risk management plan
• Legal principles assessed using a problem-solving methodology

Business Functions (15 Credits)
Learn to apply knowledge of core business functions for operational efficiency and effectiveness. The course covers:

• Accounting principles and practices
• Operations - layout, workflow, productivity
  
• Human resource management - estimating staff requirements, recruitment and selection, and renumeration
  
• Sales and marketing - forecasting, internal marketing, marketing communications
• Skills for managing learning and performance

Organisations in a New Zealand Context (15 Credits)
Review and analyse business entities from a range of perspectives in a New Zealand context. The course covers:

• Communication
• Internal and external stakeholders
• Risks
• Bi-cultural partnership (as embedded in the Treaty of Waitangi)
• Regional considerations and partnerships
• Ethical behaviour including widely accepted standards relating to obeying the law, being honest in dealings, showing respect for individuals, contracts, and societal standards and institutions' environmental, community and sustainability expectations
• Culturally appropriate interpretations wider than just ethnicity

Understanding Change (15 Credits)
Learn how to contribute to innovation and change in organisations. The course covers:

• Innovation in an operational context
• Management of sustainability
• Analysis of the impact of sustainability on business entities
• Implementation of change
• Application of professional and ethical behaviour in a socially and culturally appropriate manner
• Professional attitudes, qualities and behaviours
• Perspectives on ethics
• Problem-solving and decision making
• Communication
  

Accounting Focus

Analysis of Financial Information (15 Credits)
Learn to calculate, analyse and interpret financial information to inform decision-making for a business entity and evaluate debtor risk. The course covers:

• Purpose and users of financial analysis, limitations/assumptions
• Calculation and analysis of financial ratios
• Interpret financial information to inform decision-making- include analytics
• Formulate recommendations
• Accounts receivable management
• Action plan around debtor risk, including options and recommendations

Applied Accounting (15 Credits)
Learn to record and process a wide range of financial transactions manually and using software. Students will act in accordance with the accounting profession’s Code of Ethics to research and communicate technical financial information for a business entity’s performance.

Budgets for Planning and Control (15 Credits)
Learn to prepare budgets and use budgets to monitor business performance for a business entity, and determine internal controls to minimise financial risk.

• Preparation of budgets
• Sensitivity analysis
• Flexible budgets Variance reporting / communicationImpact on business performance
• Internal controls
• Identification and measurement of risks
• Risk management Bank reconciliations
• External environment

Introduction to Accounting and Taxation (15 Credits)
Learn to apply accounting concepts and standards to prepare financial statements for a business entity and apply tax rules. The course covers:

• Income statements
• Balance day adjustments
• Trial balance
• Statement of changes in equity
• Cash flow
• Going concern, periodic and historic cost
• Income statement and balance sheet with adjustments
• GST calculations and adjustments
• Family assistance scheme
• Student loans
• Tax Credits
• Individual tax returns
• Kiwi Saver scheme
• Employer obligations and calculations
• Employee and independent contractor
• Payment and due date of taxes

Leadership and Management Focus

Business Planning (15 Credits)
Learn to formulate a business plan. The course covers strategic, tactical and operational aspects, and managing change such as workplace culture and gap analysis.

Leadership (15 Credits)
Learn to apply leadership skills to achieve organisational outcomes and change. The course covers the concept of leadership and:

• Negotiation
• Achieving desired outcomes and change
• Evaluating successful leadership in self and others
• Nature and complexity of leading change
• Leadership and its influence on success within an organisation

Managing Projects (15 Credits)
Learn to effectively manage a project. The course covers:

• Planning
• Execution
• Monitoring and control
• Implications on workplace culture
• Project closeout
• Project management phases in regard to documentation and collation of useful information
• Identification and management of project variances

Operations Management and Compliance (15 Credits)
Learn to apply techniques to improve operational management and compliance. The course will cover internal and external drivers such as legislation, government policy, quality management systems within a business, and the policies and procedures of a business.

NCEA Level 3
OR
Equivalent academic achievement
OR
On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean

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 5.5 with no band score lower than 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). UCOL Te Pūkenga is a TOEFL testing centre.

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

This programme is designed for those who want to work in an operational role in a New Zealand business. It is suitable for graduates of New Zealand Certificates in Business.

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 student 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 relavant 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).