Course details

Graduate Diploma in Business (International Tourism Management) Level 7
NZQF Level 7

About the course

The aims of the course are:

To take an interdisciplinary approach to study in the fields of international business studies with three optional strands, while retaining the core business disciplines of economics, with an emphasis on digital marketing, communication technologies, strategy and ethics.
To enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the tourism industry and its multiple sectors, and develop a depth of knowledge on the management issues that occur within the industry. The Industry Practicum and Research Project will provide students with a hands-on immersion in the tourism industry and allow them to apply their learning, test the relevance of academic theories and reflect critically on the relationship between their academic study and industry practice.


It is suited for those seeking to:

Bridge the gap between a first, non-business-related degree and a career in business, within an international tourism context, or
Build upon a first general business-related degree towards a narrower field of study in international business tourism; and
Build a firm foundation for further study at postgraduate level in the new discipline.

The course consists of the following eight papers:

6280    International Business
6220    Introduction to International Economics
6281    Business Ethics
7240    International Marketing and Digital Media
7280    Intercultural Relations
7281    Mindful Management
7401    International Tourism Management in Context
7501    Industry Practicum and Research Project

Total credits 120

Course scheduling

Students will take the eight papers over three trimesters of 16 weeks with a one-week break between each trimester and a two-week break at Christmas. It will be taught in the evenings, from 5 to 9pm on three evenings per week, or at weekends. Guest lectures are a regular feature of the programme.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of this programme with its three pathways will have an advanced level of international tourism management knowledge and skills. These attributes equip graduates for a wide variety of business roles in an international environment.

They are ready to pursue a career in the global economy with awareness of international trade concepts, cultural issues, ethics and the internationalisation of Tourism.

Employment Outcomes
GD graduates are qualified for ANZSCO skills level 1 and 2 and qualify for the one-year post-study work visa. 

Graduates will find opportunities in roles such as Client Experience Manager, Experience and Brand Manager, Community Development Manager and many more.

Entry requirements

  • All admissions are approved by ICL Graduate Business School
  • Candidates for admission should submit a complete application portfolio at least one month prior to the start of the programme.
  • Original transcripts showing a degree from a recognized institution, including full transcripts and grade point average details. A scanned PDF will be sufficient to progress the application, but original documents will be required on arrival at ICL Graduate Business School.
  • A letter of recommendation.
  • Personal statement of purpose.
  • Academic IELTS with a minimum score of 6.0 overall in the Academic module, or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 550 for the paper-based test and 60 for the internet-based test, or The New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 4 with the Academic Endorsement or any equivalent recognized by NZQA. See here for the equivalent NZQA recognised English Proficiency outcomes.

About the provider

ICL Business School was established in 2002 by Ewen Mackenzie-Bowie as part of Academic Colleges Group. In 2007, Ewen took over the business school and incorporated it with International College of Linguistics (ICL). Reflecting the Business School’s shift to predominantly level 7, 8 and 9 programmes it was rebranded to ICL Graduate Business School.

ICL Graduate Business School is a NZQA accredited Category 1 boutique university-level business school in New Zealand, offering Master’s degrees, postgraduate and graduate diplomas in business, informatics, hospitality and tourism, and a graduate diploma in teaching early childhood education, which leads to teacher registration. While over 80% of our students are postgraduate, we also offer undergraduate diplomas in business, with pathways to university degrees.

Our language schools, located in the same building, Auckland English Academy and Bridge International College, offer you pathway courses into ICL if you need to brush up your English before you start your degree or diploma.

ICL Graduate Business School is located at the heart of New Zealand’s biggest and most diverse city, Auckland. We strive to help our students meet their academic goals, and enjoy their time whilst studying and living abroad.