New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4)

Graduates of this programme will have the skills and knowledge to develop their own business plan and start a small business, or use their knowledge for working in a business organisation.

School Leavers
Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2:

• 60 credits at Level 2 or above, plus 20 credits from any level, and Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy requirements
• Literacy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of specified assessment standards - available through a range of subjects and English for Academic Purposes unit standards 22750 and 22751 (minimum total of 10 credits), or package of three literacy unit standards (26622, 26624, 26625 - all three required), and
• Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 - all three required)

Mature Applicants

Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 3 or above in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate.  Personal commitment and a belief in one's own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following:

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL); or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in  either New Zealand, Australia­, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor ‘s Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be  from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment

Certificate at Level 4

• IELTS test - General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5
• TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 530 (with an essay score of 4.5 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14)
• Cambridge English Examination –B2 First or B2First for schools with a score of 162.  No less than 154 in each skill.
• OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
• NZCEL - a) Expiring Level   b) Current:
• Level 3 (Academic) b) Level 3 (Applied)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36
• Language Cert - B2 Communicator IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill
• Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than pass in any band

* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current

Suggested study path / combinations

Part time study

The number of credits selected per intake should depend on work, family, and other commitments. 

Students must complete the papers in the order they are listed on the website. 

It is recommended all students complete no more than two papers per alternate intake. Full time study is not recommended.

Full time study

Full time study is completing all papers (60 credits) in one intake. Full time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Manager's discretion. As there are weekly assignments for many of the papers within this programme, part time study is recommended, even for students working less than 20 hours per week.

Additional information

• As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake period.  Click HERE to download a Study Load Calculator (spreadsheet)
• All papers selected within a particular intake must be completed within that intake unless a transfer is requested (conditions apply; see FAQs)
• Online enrolments are on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes in one enrolment.  Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students.  There is no automatic enrolment rollover

All SIT2LRN courses require you to have computer and internet access.  Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet which includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.

Facilitator Assistance:  During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only).  All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study.  Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme.  Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

Progress reports are sent out 6-8 weeks after the end of each intake.

We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.

Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with. Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information. 

• I have read all sections of the Programme Information on this page
• I have read the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions section
• I have met all admission criteria for the programme (found under Application Criteria)
• I have met all the criteria for individual papers (found under Course Content)
• I have selected the paper(s) I wish to study
• I have selected intake(s).  (I have selected alternate intakes rather than overlapping intakes)
• I know my intended payment method
• If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed an approved purchase order to attach to my online application.  I am aware that should my organisation or company not pay my fees, these will become my responsibility
• I have completed and attached a cross credit form (if applying for a cross credit)
• New students - I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling in, or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application
• New students - I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates).  These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience)
• I confirm that I have a small business idea on which to base my study
• I have computer access, an Internet connection and access to software to create electronic documents e.g. Microsoft Word or Open Office

What is the Zero Fees Scheme?

The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees, however there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay and a non-refundable administration fee. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.

Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?

• A New Zealand citizen completing the full qualification or
• An Australian citizen/New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident who will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of their enrolment

Instructions to help you with your application:

1. Read the Programme Information on this page and the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions and find out if you meet the application criteria for both the programme and the unit/s you wish to study.
2. Check your eligibility for Zero Fees. If you are not eligible to study under this scheme, please call 0800 748 257 for further options.
3. Complete your online enrolment checking that:

If you are a new student...

• Provide an active NSN number in the name you are enrolling in (contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 to get your NSN number if you do not know it);
• If you do not have an active NSN, then attach a copy of your verified ID in the name you are enrolling in - a copy of either your birth certificate AND (marriage certificate if applicable) or passport which has been stamped and signed by any one of the following: JP, Barrister, Court Deputy Registrar, Member of Parliament, Land Transport NZ, Public Trust, member of the New Zealand Police, School Principal, Minister of Religion or GP.
• If you are a Resident or Permanent resident of NZ, please provide a copy of proof of residency;
• Attach all academic documentation to support your application including copies of any certificates of courses you have undertaken / NZQA record of achievement / transcripts / CV;

Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.

1. Please check that you have included all the required information and supporting documents.  Your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide.  Missing information will delay the processing of your application. 
2. Please scan and email all additional documentation to sit2lrn@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

• You will receive an automatic email confirmation when we receive your online application. Processing may take up to three weeks, however we will get in touch with you sooner if we require further documentation
• Once your application has been accepted you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance with an invoice and instructions on how to make payment
• Once we have received your payment (or if you have opted to pay by Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order), you will be sent an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet. Closer to the start of the intake you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter which will give you all the necessary information, tools and guidance to start your study with us

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4) and be awarded this qualification, the student must successfully achieve:

• A minimum of 60 credits in accordance with the programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4)
• The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4) over one year or part time over two years

For those interested in progressing onto further study in Business, options at SIT include:

• NZ Diploma in Business (on campus)
• New Zealand Diploma in Business Level 5 (Administration and Technology Strand) (distance learning)
• New Zealand Diploma in Business Level 5 (Leadership and Management Strand) (distance learning)
• New Zealand Diploma in Business Level 5 (Project Management Strand) (distance learning)
• Bachelor of Commerce (on campus)
• Bachelor of Applied Management (distance learning)

Assessments for this programme typically include essays, analytical business reports, question and answer assessments and practical assessments.  There are no exams for this programme.

For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here. 

Please note that textbooks need to be ordered at least 3-4 weeks prior to the commencement of your study