Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce
Course details
| NZQF Level | 8 |
|---|
About the course
Boost your career by filling gaps in your business knowledge or upskilling in a particular subject area.
Equip yourself with the tools for success
A Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce (PGCertCom) is a flexible qualification that gives you the tools for success—whether in your career or for further study.
Choose from a wide range of postgraduate subjects and quickly build specialised knowledge that you can put to use in your work.
Or perhaps you want to do a PhD, but your Master’s degree was all coursework and no research. In that case, you could take the PGCertCom with a specialisation in Research. This introduces you to postgraduate research and opens a potential pathway to PhD study.
Gain an edge in a specific area
Refine your research, writing, and analytical skills while further developing your knowledge in a specific field within Commerce. Investigate contemporary topics such as:
- the intersection of climate change and accounting
- digital marketing and issues of data privacy
- the future of work
- digital government
- evidence-based policy making
- sustainable tourism management
- reputational risks and uncertainties in organisations
- complexity in the real and virtual world
- the economics of disasters.
Take advantage of Wellington School of Business and Government’s strong links with international academic and professional bodies. Its close ties with Wellington’s public and private sectors also offer you a multitude of opportunities for research and networking.
Staircasing options
While the PGCertCom is a useful qualification in its own right, it can also serve as a stepping stone to a higher qualification. The courses you complete as part of your PGCertCom can count towards the full Master of Commerce programme.
PhD pathway
Alternatively, if you already have a coursework Master’s degree, taking the PGCertCom with a specialisation in Research gives you a grounding in postgraduate research and opens a pathway to PhD study.
International recognition
Wellington School of Business and Government is among a select group of fewer than 130 business schools worldwide that hold the ‘Triple Crown’ of international business education accreditations. By studying here, you can be confident your qualification will be recognised globally for its quality. Find out more about university accreditations and what they mean for you.
Study while you work
Studying the PGCertCom part time means you can continue working while gaining new skills to advance your professional career. As a part-time student, you’ll typically study two courses per trimester, with two days of full-time study per week.
Starting in Trimester 2 or 3
It may be possible to start the Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce in Trimester 2 or Trimester 3, depending on the availability of courses in the subject you’ve chosen. Email [[email protected]]([email protected]?subject=Starting a PGCertCom in Trimester 2 or 3) to find out more.
Workload
Part-time students doing two courses per trimester will need to do around 20 to 23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working while studying.
Depending on your choice of courses, it may be possible to complete the entire certificate in a single trimester. In that case, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week.
The commercial capital
Live and study in New Zealand’s creative, compact, and vibrant capital. As well as being the country’s political and cultural hub, Wellington is a harbour city with easy access to the great outdoors.
Special facilities
Postgraduate students can take advantage of the dedicated postgraduate study room at the Wellington School of Business and Government. You can access these facilities from 7 am to midnight.
Here you’ll find computing and printing facilities, and you’ll have access to specialist software such as Gauss, Matlab, Mathematica, Maple, R, Shazam, and Stata.
Entry requirements
Domestic entry requirements
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree or equivalent qualification.
English language requirements
You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
About the provider
Victoria University of Wellington, full name Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, was founded in 1897 and is one of New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious universities. The University is located in the heart of New Zealand’s vibrant capital city and its three city campuses are all within easy walking distance of one another, as well as local attractions, shopping districts, and cafés.
The University’s central location gives students access to a
variety of national organisations in the areas of business, government,
politics, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industry, as well as
the science and technology communities. Wellington is a compact city where
students can easily explore nature trails, beaches, galleries, museums, and
events. It is multicultural, safe, friendly, and has a reputation for great
food and coffee—it regularly ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities.
Victoria University of Wellington at a glance
- Top 1% of the world's universities for research quality and teaching
- 170+ subjects
- 20 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate programmes
- 40+ research institutes and 4 libraries
- 3,000 of our 17,000 students are international students, from 120+ countries
- 130+ clubs and societies
- 5+ stars from the latest QS Stars Rating of Excellence
- #1 in New Zealand for research intensity (in the latest assessment of the Performance-Based Research Fund)
- Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of commerce faculties worldwide that hold the Triple Crown of international accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA
- Top 2% of the world’s universities (QS World University Rankings 2026)
- Top 100 in the world in 7 subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
Graduate outcomes*
- Of the graduates who responded that they are currently working full time, 91% were employed prior to or within 6 months of degree completion.
- 67% were in full-time employment.
*Based on those who completed the 2023–2024 Graduate Destinations Survey.
Entry requirements
To study at Victoria University of Wellington, international students need:
- a good command of the English language
- a good record of academic achievement.
Entry requirements are provided under each programme. The University considers each student’s academic and English-language background when assessing applications. If a student doesn’t meet entry requirements, our team can help them meet their study goals.
If a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements for:
- English language - Students can apply for our English for Academic Purposes programme
- Undergraduate study - Students can apply for our Foundation Studies programme
- Postgraduate study - Students can talk to us to help build a pathway to their degree
The University offers complete support for students through a range of wellbeing and learning services. These include a specialised international team that is dedicated to supporting students during their studies, which helps international students meet new friends and settle into university and Wellington life.
Some of the support services include:
- dedicated international student orientation and events
- a free arrival meeting service at the airport
- the International Buddy Programme, where you get paired with a ‘buddy’ from the get-go
Students can make the most of the many opportunities to get
involved in different communities, embrace new experiences, and develop skills
for their future careers. The university encourages all students to develop
strong global citizenship skills through their studies and extracurricular
programmes such as the Kitea
Impact Programme, which is also free to join.