Postgraduate Diploma in Business Enterprise

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Enterprise

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Enterprise

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Enterprise

Notice: Course available only for returning students.

This programme is designed to meet the needs of graduates who wish to start their own business as well as those who want to learn about entrepreneurship, innovation and business enterprise management in an existing business. Students in the programme will not only be focused on creating new business ventures, but will also have a willingness and commitment to learn about new enterprise creation and development from theoretical and research based perspectives.

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Key Details
SIT2LRN Distance Learning
Qualification:
Postgraduate Diploma
Level:
8
Credits:
186
Duration:

Stage One

17 weeks full-time

Up to five years part-time

Stage Two

One year full-time (34 weeks)

Study Modes:
Distance Learning
Dates:

2023 Stage 1 Intake 1: 23 January to 19 May - Applications Close 9 January 2023

2023 Stage 1 Intake 2: 20 March to 14 July - Applications Close 8 March 2023

2023 Stage 1 Intake 3: 12 June to 6 October - Applications Close 29 May 2023

2023 Stage 1 Intake 4: 31 July to 24 November - Applications Close 17 July 2023

2023 Stage 2 Intake 1:30 Janaury to 22 September - Applications Close 16 Janaury 2023

2023 Stage 2 Intake 2: 27 March to 17 November - Applications Close 13 March 2023

2023 Stage 2 Intake 3: 12 June 2023 to 2 February 2024 - Applications Close 29 May 2023

2023 Stage 2 Intake 4: 31 July 2023  to 22 March 2024 - Applications Close 17 July 2023

Fees:

This programme is eligible for Zero Fees Scheme

  • No Tuition Fees
  • Direct Material Costs: $100.00 per paper and $800.00 for dissertation (GST inclusive)

International Students

  • $100 per credit
Notice: Course only available for returning students.

Notice: Course available only for returning students.

This programme is designed to meet the needs of graduates who wish to start their own business as well as those who want to learn about entrepreneurship, innovation and business enterprise management in an existing business. Students in the programme will not only be focused on creating new business ventures, but will also have a willingness and commitment to learn about new enterprise creation and development from theoretical and research based perspectives.

Stage One: Papers must be completed in the order listed below.

GBE.802 Entrepreneurship and Innovation (10 credits)

The aim of this paper is to provide students with a detailed understanding of the principles, theory and practice of enterprise and new venture development; an awareness of and the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills, attitudes and attributes; a theoretical and practical understanding of the nature and applications of entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial management; the entrepreneurial organisation; and the nature and processes of innovation and new venture development.  It will also provide students with the skills, knowledge and strategies needed to establish and manage an innovative enterprise by emphasising the application of historical and theoretical constructs to practical, contemporary outcomes.

GBE.803 Enterprise Information Communications Technology (10 credits)

This paper aims to provide students with an understanding of the forms and methods of information communications technology, and with the knowledge of how information is processed and transmitted through electronic means. To develop students' knowledge, skills and ability to communicate effectively, knowledgeably and efficiently and to assist them to identify those communication styles and processes that will best promote optimum communication in business and entrepreneurial contexts.

GBE.805 Human Resource Management in Innovation (10 credits)

The aim of this paper is to provide students with high level skills in assessing human resource performance and management issues in the context of new business enterprise, while evaluating factors such as the purpose and role of human management, its core activities, and its function in the establishment, management and expansion of new business ventures.

It also aims to provide students with an assured understanding of issues that are crucial to the effective and strategic management of human performance and resources in today's competitive commercial environment

GBE.804 Business Enterprise Operations: Marketing (10 credits)

This paper develops the theoretical and practical constructs that define business enterprise management, by providing students with a detailed, practically based, understanding of the operational aspects of a new business enterprise.   In particular, students will gain knowledge of marketing strategies for business enterprise; auditing and planning for competitive marketing environments; target marketing and customer profiling, marketing mix strategies (product, pricing, distribution and promotion); strategic analysis tools and marketing intelligence; and marketing growth strategies.

GBE.806 Financing Enterprise (10 credits)

This paper aims to provide students with a sound grasp of the theory, principles and practice of financial management of business enterprises, including those that are owner operated and controlled.  Emphasis is on finance theory, and the application of this theory to the specific circumstances of new business enterprises.  This paper also aims to familiarise students with practical techniques that will assist in asset management, arranging finance, analysing enterprise performance, and planning the future of the business, and ensuring that the principles of sound financial management are fully understood and recognised as critical to the survival and success of new business enterprises.

GBE.801 Business Enterprise Management (10 credits)

This paper aims to build on the principles, theory and practice of innovation and new venture development by providing students with a detailed and particularised overview of the business enterprise and innovation sector within the contemporary New Zealand economy.  It also seeks to provide students with the opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to establish a new business enterprise and operate it successfully in a competitive commercial environment, and gain an assured understanding of the purpose, nature and processes of developing a business model and plan.

GBE.RM Research Methodology (6 credits)

To introduce students to statistical analysis techniques that are commonly applied within a business environment; outline research methodology, design and ethical considerations; and provide a “thinking framework” for formulating a dissertation proposal which will subsequently be developed into a comprehensive, research based, strategic or business plan.

Stage Two: 

GBE.807 Research Dissertation (120 credits)

The aim of the research dissertation is to allow students to carry out the specific research for which initial planning was completed in paper GBE.RM: Research Methodology.  This enables the student to generate an extended piece of original work that tests his or her ability to, apply accrued skills in research, data collation and analysis, draw valid conclusions, formulate recommendations, and report findings from the investigation in an appropriate academic format that complies with current good practice.

It provides students from any discipline or background with the opportunity to select a topic of choice centred on any innovative business product, service, venture or facility, for which they develop an initial scoping study that is subsequently developed into a comprehensive, research based business or strategic plan.

The dissertation is expected to reflect the cumulative knowledge and skills gained from the taught papers, in particular the application of principles and concepts underpinning entrepreneurship, to a theoretical construct and viable contemporary market model.  It is also expected to reflect the level and depth of original research required at this level, to the degree that it advances both the theoretical bases, as well as the practice, of models of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Word Count: 20,000 - 24,000 words

Graduates are able to work collaboratively and constructively as entrepreneurs with a range of people, situations and locales.  Graduates bring a highly-focused approach to independent investigation and research, and to innovative ideologies and practices.  Graduates have expertise in six key areas of business operation: business enterprise management; entrepreneurship and innovation; marketing for business enterprise operations; financing enterprise; human resource management in innovation; and enterprise information communications technology, which are further advanced through a paper in research methodology and a one-year research dissertation in business enterprise.  Graduates will be able to work as self-employed practitioners, or pursue national and international professional careers with commercial bodies and agencies. This programme can lead to further study.

Students ideally should have graduated with a degree or honours degree in any discipline from a New Zealand tertiary institution accredited to offer qualifications at this level, or graduated with a degree from an overseas tertiary institution, deemed by the relevant Teaching and Learning Board of Studies to be of equivalent standing. Students may be asked to take part in an interview as part of the application process.

Applicants should:

  • Have a Level 7 or above qualification or,
  • Be able to demonstrate that they can operate at a graduate level

Applicants should also have a business plan or concept on which to base their study.

Students must successfully complete stage one before they can apply for stage two.

Concept or Initial Business Plan Description

When first applying for the programme, students must complete the Concept or Initial Business Plan Description, with their online application. Download the template here

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


IELTS test - Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 590 (with an essay score 5.5 TWE)
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 79 (with a writing score of 21)
Cambridge English Examination - C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 176. No less than 169 in each skill.
OET- Minimum of Grade C+ or 300 in all sub-tests
NZCEL - a) Expiring: Level 5 (Academic) or (Professional)  b) Current: Level 5
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 58 with no band score lower than 50
Language Cert - C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with HIGH PASS and no less than Pass in each skill or C2 Mastery IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill
Trinity ISE- ISE III 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

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

All Stage One papers must be successfully completed before applying for Stage Two of the programme. Students must complete the papers in the order that they are listed on the fact sheet.

The following study paths are guides only; students may do fewer or more papers, time permitting.

Stage One

Part time (up to four years to complete)

Full time (17 weeks to complete)

First enrolment:

GBE.802

GBE.803

GBE.802

GBE.803

GBE.805

GBE.804

GBE.806

GBE.801

GBE.RM

Second enrolment:

GBE.805

GBE.804

 

Third enrolment:

GBE.806

GBE.801

 

Fourth enrolment:

GBE.RM

 

N.B. Stage Two (GBE.807 – Research Dissertation) can only be studied full time. There is no part time option. GBE.807 consists of 1200 hours of study spread over 34 weeks, which is approximately 35 hours of study per week.

Additional Information

  • As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake periodClick 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).  When completing the research dissertation, phone or Skype meetings may also be arranged. 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. 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)
  • All stage one papers must be completed before commencing stage two 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 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).
  • New students - I confirm I have completed the Concept or Initial Business Plan Description form and am available for an interview as part of the application process if required.
  • 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 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.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Postgraduate Diploma in Business Enterprise, they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all papers, and achieved a total of 186 credits as specified in the programme schedule. The timeframe for completion of this programme is five years.

Master of Applied Management

The Master of Applied Management programme recognises cross credit transfers for SIT Postgraduate Diploma in Business Enterprise (PGDipBE) students into SIT’s Master of Applied Management (MAM) programme. The cross credit arrangement will give SIT PGDipBE students who have achieved at least a B- grade in GBE.807 and any other GBE paper with a B- or better, recognition of their PGDipBE studies and allow them to finish the Master of Applied Management by completing MGT801, MGT804 and MGT910 (or MGT902). Acceptance into the Masters programme is on a case by case basis.

Assessments for the taught papers in this course typically include essays, online tests (short answer and/or multi-choice questions) and business analysis and reporting. There are no external exams for this course.

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.

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

Suggested Courses