Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing

Creative, innovative and confident interacting with people? Use these qualities to forge an exciting career in marketing and sales.

Sales and marketing staff are imperative for businesses to grow and therefore employment opportunities in this industry are high. Gain the marketing and sales skills required for today's competitive business environment with this Graduate Diploma. Play a key role in ensuring the success and longevity of any business and find employment in a diverse variety of organisations, environments and industries as a Marketing and/or Sales Representative. With hard work and motivation you could even work your way up to senior management level and provide specialist expertise and advice, or perhaps start your own business.

During this programme, you will acquire a sound knowledge of sales and marketing theory and application through core subjects such as Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Planning and Control, and Strategic Marketing. Benefit from the guidance and support of highly experienced teachers who will provide you with real-world skills; and apply your learning in a practical industry project that will let you research an area of interest or a problem/issue for a business, preparing you for graduation as an industry-ready sales and marketing employee.

At our Auckland International Campus, this programme is offered by Future Skills Academy due to a sub-contract arrangement with Otago Polytechnic. Auckland study block dates >

Entry requirements

• A bachelor's degree in any discipline OR equivalent skills/experience.
• You may NOT enrol in a major that you have already studied at undergraduate level.
• International students will be individually assessed to ensure they meet the entry requirements. Click here for equivalent academic entry requirements by country. 
• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Additional documentation

You must supply certified copies of proof of identify, academic records and proof of residency (where appropriate).

Additional costs

You will be required to purchase some textbooks during this programme and also cover any costs associated with field trips and the industry project.

You will study

You will complete 120 credits of learning, of which 75 must be at Level 7. 

LEVEL 6

Consumer Behaviour: Examine how we make consumption decisions and how organisations attempt to influence them.

Market Development and Sales: Learn to understand the critical characteristics, skills and knowledge required to operate successfully in a modern sales environment.

Marketing Planning and Control: Learn and apply planning fundamentals to achieve marketing objectives for contemporary organisations.

LEVEL 7

International Marketing: Understand the bases of cultural differences, international business and the implications for introducing and marketing goods and services in foreign markets.

Strategic Marketing: Examine how companies choose customers, markets and determine market offerings to compete in dynamic environments.

Industry Project: This provides an opportunity to balance theory with applied learning in your workplace or host organisation and tailor your studies accordingly to your interest. The project involves a workload of 200 hours, completing a written research project investigating an issue/problem that adds value to the organisation. This industry project will be useful in developing team work, communication and other soft skills/capabilities and in helping establish industry connections post-graduation. 

Your workload

If studying at our Dunedin Campus

Your programme of study will generally include lectures and seminars/ tutorials. You will be expected to contribute at least 20 hours per week of your own time in self-directed study to allow for successful completion of the qualification. You will also complete a 200-hour industry project, gaining hands-on experience and developing important industry and business connections.

If studying at our Auckland International Campus 

You will be expected to spend about 38 hours per week (or 300 hours per study block) on your course work. This includes both scheduled class time and self-directed study. Some of these hours may be spent in a workplace gaining hands-on experience and developing important industry and business connections.

Further study options

Progress into higher levels of learning and enhance your employment potential with postgraduate study in Sales and Marketing.

Student loans and allowances

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful.