Develop the skills and knowledge needed to start, operate, grow and sustain a successful small business with the New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) Level 4.
Make your business dream a reality and learn how to apply business skills and knowledge to a small business.
17 weeks full-time
Up to two years part-time
Intake 4: 08/08/2022 to 02/12/2022 - Applications close 01/08/2022
2023 Intake 1: 13 February to 9 June - Applications Close 6 February 2023
2023 Intake 3: 19 June to 13 October - Applications Close 12 June 2023
2023 Intake 4: 7 August to 1 December - Applications Close 31 July 2023
This programme is available for free from 1st June 2022 to 31 December 2022 under Zero Fees Scheme plus no direct material costs
International Students
The purpose of this qualification is to provide Aotearoa New Zealand with people who have the knowledge and skills to establish, operate, grow, and sustain a small business.
You will learn:
SBM401 Manage Operations for a Small Business (15 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage operations for a small business, in accordance with the requirements of the business.
SBM402 Manage Finances for a Small Business (15 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage finances for a small business, in accordance with the requirements of the business.
SBM403 Growing a Small Business Operation (15 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to grow and maintain a small business, in accordance with the requirements of the business.
SBM404 The Business Plan (15 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a business plan for a small business, in accordance with the requirements of the business.
Graduates of this qualification will be able to establish, operate, grow, and sustain a small business in Aotearoa New Zealand.
School LeaversApplicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2:
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
* 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
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.
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. 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?
Instructions to help you with your application:
If you are a new student...
Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.
What happens next?
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4) and be awarded this qualification, the student must successfully achieve:
For those interested in progressing onto further study in Business, options at SIT include:
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