Diploma in Commerce

The programme will allow students to gain skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to working or further education in the commerce sector, demonstrate knowledge and skills to standards recognised by the commerce sector as appropriate, and develop work habits and practices appropriate for further education and employment in the commerce sector. 

Students also have the opportunity to credit transfer papers to the SIT Bachelor of Commerce programme, on a paper for paper basis, and continue with a third year of study to complete the SIT Bachelor of Commerce.

Year 1

Compulsory papers

ACC102 Introduction to Accounting

This paper provides students with an introduction to financial accounting statements and their associated components, ranging from small businesses to public companies.

COM140 Professional Communications
This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge to develop confidence and competence in oral, written, and interpersonal communication with emphasis on the communication skills students will use in the workplace and during their studies.

ECN120 Economics
This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge to apply elements of economic theory to contemporary issues relating to the New Zealand and world economies.

LAW110 Commercial Law
This paper provides students with basic knowledge in the field of commercial law to enable them to apply legal reasoning and to develop an organised approach to problem solving.

MAN130 Principles of Management
This paper provides students with an introduction to the principles and processes of management and how they are applied to address current issues.

MKT171 Principles of Marketing
This paper provides students with a working knowledge of fundamental marketing concepts relevant to contemporary organisations.

QNT165 Quantitative Analysis
This paper provides students with an understanding of the application of some of the statistical and mathematical techniques relevant to business contexts.

Elective Paper - one paper to be selected from the list below:

ACC103 Accounting Practices
This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge to process business transactions and produce financial reports in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices and using business computer technology.  The paper also provides a foundation for more advanced accounting papers and must be completed by those students intending to major in accounting.

INF150 Principles of Business Computing
This paper provides students with foundation knowledge of current and emerging information technologies and their impact on business along with the skills to analyse business problems and recommend appropriate solutions using information technology tools.  

TSM180 Principles of Tourism
This paper provides students with an overview of the tourism industry and the factors which influence its structure and development with specific reference and applications to New Zealand.

Elective 1

An elective paper at Level 5 may be taken from a qualification other than SIT Bachelor of Commerce - to be approved by the Programme Manager (prerequisities may apply).

Year 2

ACC201 Financial Accounting

This paper provides students with an understanding of the regulatory aspects of accounting, how to critically evaluate financial information, and the concepts, techniques and problem solving skills needed for the production of financial reports for companies.

ACC202 Management Accounting
This paper provides students with an understanding of the concepts and techniques of organisational planning, decision making, costing and control.

ACC203 Business Finance
This paper provides students with a base appreciation of finance and financial markets as they relate to the business environment.  Emphasis is given to modern accounting practice in New Zealand, particularly as it relates to small and medium businesses.

ACC204 Accounting Information Systems
This paper provides students with a general understanding of roles undertaken by accountants in relation to information systems; how to analyse, synthesise and evaluate information from AIS; how controls interrelate with AIS; and a conceptual/practical understanding of IT and its application within businesses.

ACC205 Auditing
This paper provides students with an introduction to external auditors’ obligations in New Zealand and the methods by which those obligations are met. 

ACC206 Taxation
This paper provides students with an understanding of the New Zealand tax base, the principles under which tax is imposed, basic legislation relevant to fringe benefits and GST so that students will be able to apply taxation and related legislation to various situations. 

LAW210 Company Law
This paper provides students with knowledge of the legal principles and concepts relating to companies and other business vehicles and the analytical skills to apply those principles and concepts in practice.

MAN215 Organisational Behaviour
The application of a range of ideas, theories and concepts from the discipline of Organisational Behaviour.

MAN232 Operations Management
This paper provides students with an understanding of the management function in relation to the production of goods and services.  Students will gain knowledge of the practical realities of operations management and how it contributes to the overall management of the organisation.

MAN233 Human Resource Management
Students will understand the roles, functions and application of Human Resource Management within contemporary New Zealand organisations.

MAN235 Employment Relations
This paper provides students with an understanding of the opportunities and risks created by the Employment Relations framework by developing their understanding and knowledge of the key institutions, processes and practices in contemporary employment relations in New Zealand.

MKT271 Consumer Behaviour
This paper provides students with a comprehensive knowledge base and understanding of the concepts, principles and theories of consumer behavior.  Topics include the relationship(s) between producers and consumers; the impact of situational, psychological, social and cultural elements of consumer behaviour, materialism, and the impact of technology.

MKT272 Product Management
This paper provides students with a detailed understanding of the theoretical and applied aspects of product management, including new product development, branding and the role of the product manager.

MKT273  Integrated Marketing Communication
This paper provides students with a detailed understanding of core Integrated marketing communication concepts and their practical application. Marketing communication tools such as advertising, public relations, sales promotion, personal selling, direct marketing and electronic marketing are examined.  Integrated media plans will be developed and students will be encouraged to improve their IMC research, planning and presentation skills.

MKT274 Pricing and Distribution Management
This paper provides students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the external and internal factors influencing pricing and distribution decisions; formulating, implementing and monitoring pricing and distribution strategies and decisions. The skills developed include analysis of problems, problem solving, working collaboratively within groups, using and working with numerical information, using spreadsheets, negotiating, resolving conflicts and making, reporting and evaluating decisions.

RES280 Research Methods
This paper provides students with an introduction to key analytical tools used within business and the implications for managerial decision-making.  Students learn to apply appropriate research methodologies to identify and solve business related problems.

TSM285 Tourism Industry Management
This paper provides students with the ability to establish and develop tourism ventures in New Zealand and an understanding of the operational issues in managing tourism ventures.

Elective

Up to three elective papers at Level 6 may be taken from qualifications other than SIT Bachelor of Commerce - to be approved by the Programme Manager (prerequisities may apply).

In order to meet NZICA requirements students planning to qualify as Chartered Accountants (CA) or Associate Chartered Accountants (ACA) should select the following elective papers: ACC205 Auditing, ACC206 Taxation and LAW210 Company Law 

Graduates can demonstrate knowledge of, and apply skills to operate within the commerce sector, especially in the areas of accounts, marketing, administration, business, human resource management, and operations and production management.

Graduates also have the opportunity to credit transfer papers to the SIT Bachelor of Commerce programme, on a paper for paper basis, and complete the SIT Bachelor of Commerce. This programme leads graduates to further study or employment in the commerce sector.

Applicants will have evidence of the achievement of a minimum of 42 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of 14 credits at Level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from the approved subject list, with a further 14 credits at Level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework or approved subjects.  Plus a minimum of 14 credits at Level 1 or higher in Mathematics.  Plus a minimum of eight credits at Level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Māori of which four credits must be in Reading and four credits must be in Writing.

Entry may also be granted to mature applicants who are at least 20 years of age when the programme begins and can provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience, or completion of an external or overseas qualification which is considered to be the equivalent of any of the above qualifications as approved by the Head of Faculty, or equivalent mathematics qualifications, either New Zealand Diploma in Business paper 430 Quantitative Business Methods or an overseas paper that NZQA recognises as being equivalent to the New Zealand Diploma in Business paper 430 Quantitative Business Methods.

In addition, the following requirements apply to applicants in all admissions categories:

Applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, must provide evidence of having successfully completed English instruction to a level deemed appropriate by the head of faculty. Evidence may include official transcripts and/or recognised English test results, such as IELTS and TOEFL.

The head of faculty will determine the maximum number of students permitted to enrol in the programme. If there are more applicants than places available, students will be selected primarily on academic ability.

All enrolments in the Diploma in Commerce are at the discretion of the programme manager in consultation with the head of faculty and teaching staff, as required. 

Additional Criteria

A student who has successfully completed a minimum of three papers in the New Zealand Diploma in Business may transfer their enrolment and be admitted onto the Diploma in Commerce programme.  The Programme Manager will advise according to the current cross credit schedules.

Provisional Part time Admission

An applicant who does not meet academic criteria, may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more year one papers. Upon successful completion of the papers, the student may apply for admission by mature entry.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme, and be eligible for award of the qualification Diploma in Commerce they must have: Attended for not less than 80% of the timetabled class hours and other scheduled learning activities relating to the programme. Completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments. Successfully completed assessment requirements for all papers, and achieved a total of 240 credits.

To download key dates for 2014 click here