Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business

Organisations all over the world, whether they be large or small, local or international, are always on the lookout for employees with the right skills – and in these unprecedented times, that means you need to be strategic, specialised and sharp.

Studying at a postgraduate level is a fantastic way to advance your business know-how and hone your expertise in a specialised area – and ultimately boosting your earning potential. The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business will extend and deepen your general business knowledge and deliver specific skills and capabilities in one applied area: choose from either Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Advanced HR, Leadership or Supply Chain & Logistics.

When you graduate, you’ll be highly competitive in the local and international job market, and have what you need to seek specialised employment or progress your career with your existing employer. You may also choose to continue with further postgraduate study in the Master of Applied Business – this would take an additional six months of full-time study (part-time options are also available).

Highlights

• Acquire and update your business capabilities. No prior experience in business is required.
• Applied learning. Utilise case studies and projects to apply theory and skills to real-world situations.
• Blended course delivery. Learn in a variety of different ways from facilitated workshops and interactive lectures to online learning, presentations and discussions, and self-directed learning.
• Boost your earning potential. New skills and technical knowledge will allow you to move up the ranks within an organisation.
• Do an internship (elective course). Undertake a workplace project relevant to your specialisation.
• Flexible timetable. Week evenings and weekend classes with online delivery options to support your learning.
• Further your knowledge and skills. Develop the business acumen and strategic skills you need to perform well at the highest levels within an organisation.
• Industry connections. Benefit from applied learning and collaborate with industry stakeholders in addition to the necessary theoretical learning.
• Progress into further postgraduate study. Graduates of this programme will be eligible to move into the Master of Applied Business.
• Small classes. Facilitated by expert lecturers with strong industry connections and experience.

Programme structure

The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business is a 120-credit programme studied over two semesters full-time or part-time options available.

The programme is made up of:

• 2 core compulsory courses.
• 3 specialisation courses.
• Either 3 elective courses or a 30-credit industry internship and 1 elective course – all at Level 8.

Our elective courses give you a chance to develop advanced knowledge and skills in a different area of interest that will complement your studies.

Specialisations

Our specialisations reflect current industry practice and areas of high demand for employment and include:

Business Analytics

When leveraged effectively, business analytics can be used to solve business problems, predict market trends, and increase efficiency, productivity, and revenue. In this specialisation, you’ll be introduced to the fundamental principles of data science and the techniques and tools of managing and using data in decision-making. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of concepts, procedures and computing techniques for enterprise data mining with applications to different industries and explore storytelling in data analytics for improving organisational outcomes.

Compulsory and specialisation courses for this specialisation are as below. Electives can be selected from any of the Level 8 courses offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

• Strategic IQ (Compulsory).
• Design Thinking for Business (Compulsory).
• Data Analytics (Specialisation).
• Adaptive Business Intelligence (Specialisation).
• Analytics Storytelling (Specialisation).
• Elective 1.
• Industry Internship or 2 electives.

Digital Marketing

Marketing has always been about connecting with your audience at the right time and in the right place. In today’s business world, that place is online. In this specialisation, you’ll gain practical experience in developing inbound marketing and online advertising campaigns for an organisation. You’ll also learn how to use and analyse web data to optimise digital marketing tactics and support organisational decision-making.

Additional industry certifications you may be able to achieve include:

• Industry Certification in Inbound Marketing
• Industry Certification in Online Advertising
• Industry Certification in Web Analytics

Compulsory and specialisation courses for this specialisation are as below. Electives can be selected from any of the Level 8 courses offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

• Strategic IQ (Compulsory).
• Design Thinking for Business (Compulsory).
• Inbound Marketing (Specialisation).
• On-line Advertising (Specialisation).
• Web Analytics (Specialisation).
• Elective 1.
• Industry Internship or 2 electives.

Leadership

Leadership may not be a one size fits all, but the fundamentals remain the same. Strong business leadership drives organisational performance by creating an environment that inspires employees to do their best. In this specialisation, you’ll examine the practical skills and knowledge required to successfully lead and manage change, critically evaluate the skills, knowledge and abilities of effective leadership from a diverse range of cultural approaches, and learn how to build an inclusive culture that enhances employee and organisational performance.

Compulsory and specialisation courses for this specialisation are as below. Electives can be selected from any of the Level 8 courses offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

• Strategic IQ (Compulsory).
• Design Thinking for Business (Compulsory).
• Leading and Managing Change (Specialisation).
• Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders (Specialisation).
• Building Workplace Culture (Specialisation).
• Elective 1.
• Industry Internship or 2 electives.

Supply Chain & Logistics

Supply chain and logistics management is critical to business performance and customer satisfaction. This specialisation focuses on applying theoretical principles and analytical techniques to optimise and improve supply chain, distribution logistics and warehouse operations. This includes a group project where you’ll develop procurement strategy, policies and processes to improve an organisation’s supply chain, and using real-world business problems, gain a better understanding of warehousing and distribution operations.

Compulsory and specialisation courses for this specialisation are as below. Electives can be selected from any of the Level 8 courses offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

• Strategic IQ (Compulsory).
• Design Thinking for Business (Compulsory).
• Procurement Management (Specialisation).
• Supply Chain Design (Specialisation).
• Warehousing and Distribution (Specialisation).
• Elective 1.
• Industry Internship or 2 electives.

Advanced HR

Effective HR management helps bridge the gap between employee performance and an organisation’s strategic objectives. This specialisation focuses on data-driven people practices; how to implement modern HR practices that create cutting-edge employee experiences in the workplace, the application of technology to analyse employee data to improve performance, and what causes an organisation’s culture to develop and how to build an inclusive culture that enhances employee and organisational performance.

Compulsory and specialisation courses for this specialisation are as below. Electives can be selected from any of the Level 8 courses offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business.

• Strategic IQ (Compulsory).
• Design Thinking for Business (Compulsory).
• Employee Experience (Specialisation).
• Workforce Analytics (Specialisation).
• Building Workplace Culture (Specialisation).
• Elective 1.
• Industry Internship or 2 electives.

Career Options

• Gain employment or further your existing career in a wide range of specialised roles
• Pathway into further, higher-level postgraduate study

Annual Tuition Fees

Domestic/NZ students

$8,500

(Approximate fees only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Your final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study. View options for funding your study and fees-free eligibility)

International students

$30,415 (NZD) (approximate fees for 120 credits)

Semester Dates

Sem 1 2026: 23 Feb – 28 Jun

Sem 2 2026: 20 Jul – 22 Nov

For course and class timings, refer to the specific course webpage.

For StudyLink purposes, please ensure your application states your earliest course start date.

Downloads and resources

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