New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 6) (Leadership and Management strand)

New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 6) (Leadership and Management strand)

New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 6) (Leadership and Management strand)

Level up your leadership game with SIT’s New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 6) – Leadership and Management. Gain advanced skills in strategic planning, team performance, and organisational leadership to step confidently into management roles. Ideal for those building on existing experience or looking to move up in their career.

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Key Details
SIT2LRN Distance Learning
Qualification:
Diploma
Level:
6
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time
Up to four years part-time
Intakes will be 17 weeks long

Study Modes:
Distance Learning
Dates:

2025 Intake 5: 25 August to 19 December - Applications Close 18 August 2025
Fees:

SIT Zero Fees Scheme

  • Tuition Fee: $0   Check eligibility
  • Direct material Cost: $7.00 per credit (incl GST)

 

International Fees

$25000

 

Unsure which one is for me? Check Fees Eligibility Check my options

 

     

The NZ Diploma in Business (Level 6) will develop your technical knowledge, people skills, and business environment knowledge.

In addition to gaining core knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to the achievement of organisational strategic objectives, graduates of the Leadership and Management strand will gain the following specific knowledge and skills to apply to leadership positions in an organisation:

Core skills

  • Contribute to a business entity's strategic objectives and strategic plan
  • Apply broad knowledge of the principles and practices of operations, management accounting, marketing/sales, human resources, and risk management, to support strategic objectives of a business entity
  • Contribute strategically to innovation and organisational change in a business entity
  • Develop and maintain strategic business relationships with stakeholders to support the performance of a business entity
  • Apply knowledge of te Tiriti o Waitangi to analyse how the resulting bi-cultural partnership can be applied to strategic business activities and relationships
  • Apply professional and ethical practices with integrity, in accordance with the strategic environmental, social and cultural requirements of the context, and apply personal and interpersonal skills to contribute to the achievement of business strategic objectives

Additional Leadership and Management skills

  • Manage and lead people to enable them to achieve personal and entity goals for efficient and effective performance of the entity
  • Lead and implement change within the entity for efficient and effective performance of the entity
  • Lead and manage projects and/or entity initiatives
  • Access and manage resources to improve entity performance
  • Analyse and apply financial information to make informed decisions and forecasts for efficient and effective performance of the entity
  • Manage stakeholder relationships to support the entity's performance.
  • Management compliance with internal and external requirements
  • Analyse the impact of operating in a global context on entity goals 

Programme Structure

Compulsory core papers

  • MGT601 (MGT200) Management Accounting and Finance
  • MGT602 (MGT201) Marketing Operations
  • MGT603 (MGT203) Operations Management
  • MGT604 (MGT205) Introduction to Strategic Management

Select one of the following:

  • MGT606 (MGT209) Managing Human Resources
  • MGT608 (MGT215) Organisational Behaviour

Leadership and Management Strand

  • MGT605 (MGT206) Risk Management and Quality
  • MGT609 (MGT219) Change Management
  • MGT622 Fundamentals of Project Management

 

     

Paper Descriptions

MGT601 Management Accounting and Finance (Level 6) 15 credits

  • Pre-requisite: MGT504 (100) Introduction to Accounting (or BSNS5003 Business Function or at the Programme Operations Manager’s discretion)

This paper provides an overview of objectives and limitations of analysis of financial statements and provides students with the knowledge and skills to report results of financial analysis, including calculating ratios to measure profitability, asset utilisation, management of working capital and will be able to apply this knowledge to both evaluating franchise proposals and in the area of scheduling and revising project costs as part of project planning.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: understand the business finance environment; apply capital budgeting practices and evaluate investment decisions; apply knowledge of working capital to effectively manage a business for a given situation; compare and contrast financing options for a given situation and make recommendations; discuss the principles of capital structure and cost of capital, and calculate the cost of capital; calculate, apply and evaluate different types of costs to various costing systems; apply management tools to assist in the planning and control of business operations and use management accounting information to assist decision-making in a given business situation.

MGT602 Marketing Operations (Level 6) 15 credits

  • Pre-requisite: MGT503 (104) Introduction to Applied Marketing (or BSNS5002 Business Environments or at the Programme Operations Manager’s discretion)

Students will consider marketing activities in the context of quality and customer service and in the setting of marketing strategies to enable marketing objectives to be met.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: examine the effect quality has in relation to specific marketing activities; examine the effect customer service in relation to marketing activities; assess the influences of quality and customer service on marketing mix decisions; develop marketing objectives for a specific organization; prepare marketing strategies to achieve the objectives and formulate quality standards and customer service strategies for marketing operations.

MGT603 (MGT203) Operations Management (Level 6) 15 credits

This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills undertake the management of small to medium business operations, including identifying and managing operational risks.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: assess location and layout of physical facilities for a small to medium business; plan and control production of goods and/or services of a small to medium business; assess staffing needs of a small to medium business; analyse merchandise management in a small to medium business environment; formulate and analyse marketing strategies relevant to a small to medium business; establish the context to be taken into account when managing risk for a small to medium business organization; assess risks in a small to medium business organisation; develop a framework for managing risk in a small to medium business organisation and compare options for the treatment of risks, prepare a risk treatment plan for a small to medium business organisation, and explain how the plan will be monitored, reviewed and updated.

MGT604 (MGT205) Introduction to Strategic Management (Level 6) 15 credits

  • Pre-requisite: MGT501 (103) Introduction to Applied Management (or BSNS5402 Operations Management and Compliance or at the Programme Operations Manager’s discretion)

This paper introduces the concepts of strategic management, focussing on the consideration of strategic management in the context of change processes and methods, and organisational objectives, planning and performance.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: analyse an organisation’s operational plans and objectives; review organisational performance against operational plans and objectives; analyse and assess performance and identify current strategic position; evaluate change processes and methods for implementation to assist an organisation in achieving its objectives and report on organisational performance in relationship to its organisational objectives.

MGT606 (MGT209) Managing Human Resources (Level 6) 15 credits

Building on the knowledge gained in MGT101 introduction to human resource management, students will explore the manager’s role in managing human resources and coordinating team activity. This paper will also enable students to develop an understanding of aspects of leadership, leadership style and methods for dealing with leadership problems.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: develop a human resource management plan for a specific organisation; outline the factors involved in performance management and critically examine strategies to review individual performance; analyse the factors that contribute to a positive work environment, including cultural aspects of human resource management; examine the importance of leadership style in managing people and dealing with problems in a team environment; consider various contemporary leadership concepts and how they can be implemented to manage teams effectively and evaluate the application of leadership concepts in business environments.

MGT608 (MGT 215) Organisational Behaviour (Level 6) 15 credits

This paper provides students with a strong background and understanding of organisational and motivational theories and the application of these in the development of internal and external environmental analyses for an organisation.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: analyse the behaviour of individuals and groups in organisations in terms of key factors that influence organisational behaviour; assess the potential effects of organisational-level factors on organisational behaviour; critically evaluate the potential effects of important developments in the external environment on organisational behaviour; analyse organisational behavioural issues in the context of organisational behaviour theories, models and concepts.

Leadership and Management Strand

MGT605 (MGT206) Risk Management and Quality (Level 6) 15 credits

Students will be provided with a thorough understanding of issues of risk assessment, prevention and intervention in undertaking projects. The related topic of quality control and evaluation is also considered in detail.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: analyse areas of risk in the project management lifecycle; undertake a risk analysis and justify conclusions; compare and contrast problem-solving methods for dealing with problems when they arise in projects and apply them to a specific scenario providing justification for the chosen approach; analyse the principles of quality control in projects; examine the common methods of evaluating quality in projects; develop a quality management plan and undertake, with rationale, corrective action to address a quality management issue in a specific example.

MGT609 Change Management (Level 6) 15 credits

  • Pre-requisite: MGT501 (103) Introduction to Applied Management (or BSNS5402 Operations Management and Compliance or at the Programme Operations Manager’s discretion)

This paper provides students with an understanding of change management and the managing of the change process within an organisational context, supported by an understanding of leadership theory and solvency analysis in relation to management in organisations.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: debate current schools of thought that contribute to change management in organisations; examine methods for managing the change process in an organisation; analyse the relationship of leadership theory in organizational management and demonstrate and apply knowledge of the solvency test and its relationship to organisational change. 

MGT622 Fundamentals of Project Management (Level 6) 15 credits

Students will be acquainted with the fundamentals of project management terminology and its significance to understanding the business benefits for projects. Through contextual case studies based on real projects, participants will be able to build up their project administration structure.  This pragmatics hands-on course is intended to discover Project Management and develop a strong foundation on a project’s lifecycle. You will learn skills like scoping a project, budget management, progress tracking and improving effectiveness. You will gain insight of the tools, techniques, and resources important to oversee projects.

On successful completion of this paper students will be able to: understand the basic principles and activities of project management; demonstrate skills in the use of a common project management software system; develop a project time-line plan; develop strategies to manage conflict in project management; estimate and schedule task times, resources required and costs; and identify and establish project administration structures.

Graduates of this qualification with the Leadership and Management strand will have the skills and knowledge to work as a manager/leader in a range of strategic roles within New Zealand business entities.

Education pathway

This qualification will build on from the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Leadership and Management strand) and graduates may progress to the third year of SIT's Bachelor of Applied Management (Human Resource Management or Applied Management major).

It is recommended that all applicants should complete the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Leadership and Management strand) prior to applying for this programme, alongside the following criteria:

School Leavers

Applicants should be a minimum of 18 years of age, have completed a minimum of four years secondary education, and have attained a minimum of 12 NCEA credits at Level 2 in each of four approved subjects.

Mature Applicants

Applicants over the age of 20 years will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme (e.g. Record of Learning or Curriculum Vitae). 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

Diploma at Level 6

  • IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
  • TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE)
  • TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18)
  • Cambridge English Examination -B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169.  No less than 162 in each skill.
  • OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
  • NZCEL - a) Expiring Level   b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) 
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 
  • Language Cert - C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS 
  • Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band

Full time study is classed as completing 60 credits per intake. Students who study full time will complete the qualification over two (non-overlapping) intakes. Full time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Manager’s discretion.

The number of credits selected for part time study should depend on work, family, and other commitments. The recommended maximum number of credits per intake, in consideration of working hours, are:

  • Working 37 + hours per week = enrol in a maximum of 30 credits per intake
  • Working 20 – 37 hours per week = enrol in a maximum of 45 credits per intake
  • Working fewer than 20 hours per week = enrol in a maximum of 60 credits per intake (full time study).

This is a guide only and will differ from student to student due to individual circumstances.

Students studying part time have a maximum of four years in which they can complete the qualification.

Cross credits, credit transfers, and recognition of prior learning

Please refer to the Academic Support page on the SIT website for details regarding cross credits, credit transfers and recognition of prior learning: https://www.sit.ac.nz/Prior-Learning

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 a 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 that 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.

All students will get an official academic transcript on successful completion of their programme of study which will be posted or given at Graduation.  After each intake is finished, it is suggested that students check their results on MySIT.

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)
  • Year one papers must be completed before commencing year two papers and year two papers must be completed before commencing year three papers
  • I know my intended payment method
  • If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed and 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 will attach 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 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. 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 your 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.
  • 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 Diploma in Business (Leadership and Management) (Level 6), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

  • A minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the programme schedule for the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Leadership and Management) (Level 6).
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Leadership and Management) (Level 6) full-time over one year or part-time over a maximum of four years.

Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit SIT zero fees entitlement.

Assessments for this programme may include, but are not limited to:

  • Assignments
  • Case studies
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Discussion Activities

All requirements for assessment must be submitted by the advised time and date. Late assignments will not be accepted unless an extension has been requested.

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

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