Level 6 papers (elective) - complete three of the following:
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.
MGT210 Organising and Defining the Project (Level 6) 15 Credits
This paper presents project organisation as a dynamic process occurring throughout the project management lifecycle, consistent with a systems view. Students will discuss issues of project selection, strategy, structure and the context within which projects occur. They will also explore the essential elements of defining a project as part of the planning process.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: analyse project organisation in the context of systems thinking and complexity theory; assess the elements of project organisation and how it is a dynamic process; examine how to select a project and determine project management strategy; apply the principles in defining a project and evaluate the uses of project management software.
MGT211 The Project Plan and Resources (Level 6) 15 Credits
Students will learn how to go about developing a project plan to industry standards. Students will also develop an understanding of the planning process involving key stakeholders and the value of continuous evaluation and improvement. Students will also consider the principles of resource management.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: apply the principles of strategic planning processes; estimate project cost and time; evaluate the essential components of a project plan that would meet industry standards; critically evaluate project plans; prepare an outline of a project plan and examine the principles of resource identification, allocation and management.
MGT212 Measuring Performance, Evaluation and Closure (Level 6) 15 Credits
Students will develop an understanding of measuring and monitoring progress and performance in all aspects of a project, including an overview of evaluation methodologies and the tasks involved in bringing a project to closure.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: examine the principles underpinning methods of evaluation; evaluate common methods of measuring and documenting the progress of a project; analyse a project’s progress; undertake corrective action if progress is inadequate and justify approach; design performance measurement criteria for a project and effectively execute the necessary steps to bring a project to closure.
MGT213 The Project Lifecycle (Level 6) 15 Credits
Students will be exposed to major extant models of project management and their application to the project management cycle. The paper also provides the learner with an overview of project management from the planning stage through to closing down a project on completion.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: define the scope of project management; analyse the major models of project management; critically evaluate these models in relation to their applicability to practice; examine the relevance of systems thinking to project management; assess the steps of the project management life cycle; apply these steps to a project management case study and examine the use of project management software in practice.
MGT214 Project Management Project (Level 6) 15 Credits
This is a capstone paper which integrates the knowledge and skills students have gained with regards to project management. As part of this paper, students will undertake and report on a small project.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: design a project proposal; successfully negotiate the proposed project; develop a detailed plan of a project; implement a project to completion; communicate with colleagues regarding the conduct of all aspects of the project and adjust the project accordingly and document all aspects of the project to industry standards.
Level 7 papers (compulsory) – complete all of the following:
MGT302 Contemporary Issues (Level 7) 15 Credits
This paper provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of various marketing / management / accounting theories and practices applicable to profit and/or non-profit organisations, which reflect the key contemporary issues faced by organisations.
Students will be able to identify, consolidate and evaluate strategic issues studied in earlier parts of the degree and within the current business environment.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: examine and critique contemporary issues relating to organisations and demonstrate familiarity with relevant published works; critically reflect on identified contemporary issues facing a specific organisation, including assessing the relevance and potential impacts; analyse information needs and recommend appropriate data gathering processes to aid organisational decision-making and planning, for an identified contemporary issue facing a chosen organisation and determine the research area for either their dissertation or advanced research project.
MGT303 Strategic Management (Level 7) 15 Credits
This paper provides students with an insight into how to think strategically in order to gain strategic advantage and to add value to an organisation. Students apply strategic management principles to simulated and actual business situations to develop their critical thinking skills.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: critically evaluate theories that have influenced approaches to strategic management; analyse an organisation’s internal and external environment; critically evaluate strategic options for specific organisations; assess factors that influence the effectiveness of strategy implementation and evaluate strategic performance.
MGT309 Relationships, Influence and Leadership
(Level 7) 15 Credits
Students will be able to recognise and maximise their role in influencing decision makers and understand how to use influential tactics. Students will understand some of the theories attached to influencing decision-making and know when to apply these to situations. Leadership and its qualities as opposed to management, will be examined as will the relationship between leaders and those who seek to influence them.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: analyse the theory/ies behind influence in the corporate and governmental sense; examine their role in a sphere of influence; critique tactics for effective influence; critically analyse and justify own leadership style for further development; critically evaluate interactions between different agencies and sectors and research and apply appropriate influential arguments in a given situation.
Level 7 papers (elective) – complete one of the following:
MGT310 Management Dissertation (30 credits)
This paper provides students with an opportunity to conduct advanced research into an aspect of management theory or practice by integrating the body of knowledge learnt in management papers.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to select a current management issue or applied management problem and formulate an appropriate research objective and research question, plan, organise and implement a research project, select and apply appropriate research methodologies, collect, analyse and interpret research data, write a research report to a professional standard, make an oral presentation of the management-related research project and answer relevant questions raised.
You are expected to:
Identify and Investigate a current management issue based on personal interest, benefit to an organisation, popular topic or a gap in research you have identified
Approach
- Select a current management issue or applied management problem and formulate an appropriate research objective and research question.
- Select and apply appropriate research methodologies.
- Collect, analyse and interpret research data.
- Write a research report to a professional standard.
- Make a research poster to present your research work
- Undertake an oral defence presenting key points from your research report and answer relevant questions raised.
Assessments
- Introduction and Literature Review
- Final Research Report
- Research Poster
- Oral defence (via Skype)
- Reflective Journal
Total Word Count
Approximately 12,000 words
MGT320 Internship (30 credits)
This paper provides students with an opportunity to become familiar with the micro and macro operating environments of an organization and to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course of their degree study. Using knowledge and skills gained in the first two years of the degree, students will be enabled to present a development/problem-solving proposal in an area relevant to the internship organization. Students will also gain reflective skills through the reflection on the internship and how their personal and professional managerial skills have developed and broadened.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to, critically evaluate an organisation’s corporate direction, main activities, and identify and evaluate the internal environment of the internship organisation, evaluate the organisation’s operating environment and the role of the internship organisation within the industry, assess and rationalise to all stakeholders significant issues confronting the internship organisation, specifically an aspect of concern or interest to the organisation’s operation or management, conduct and critically evaluate primary research regarding the specific aspect to be stated, distinguish between critical and non-critical factors impacting on the problem/development, evaluate information and make recommendations for specific development/problem, consider and assess issues for implementing recommendations, critically assess the dilemmas, challenges and problems faced, and how these issues were resolved during the internship, critically evaluate how the knowledge and skills acquired during the degree programme were adapted into practical situations.
You are expected to:
Identify and Investigate a current management issue within your internship organisation
Approach
- Find an internship placement (this can be in your existing workplace)
- Collect both primary and secondary information to investigate a significant management issue within the organisation
- Make recommendations based on the findings and present a development/problem solving proposal
- Present the reflections and evaluations of the internship project and answer relevant questions raised.
Assessments
- Introductory Report (based on the organisation)
- Proposal Report including Negotiation Evidence
- Research and Strategy Report
- Journal
- Presentation (via Skype)
Total Word Count
Approximately 12,000 words
Applicants must have obtained at least an undergraduate degree in any discipline, or be a mature student aged at least 20 years and supply evidence of at least three years’ relevant work experience. Each mature applicant must provide their curriculum vitae detailing any relevant work experience and academic achievements. The Programme Manager will use this information to assess whether the applicant is likely to successfully complete the Graduate Diploma.
Meeting the application criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the programme.
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 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 IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill
Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction 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