New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Leadership and Management Strand)

New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Leadership and Management Strand)

New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Leadership and Management Strand)

Take charge of your future with SIT’s New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) – Leadership and Management. Build practical skills in team leadership, business operations, and problem-solving while gaining a solid grounding in core business practices. Whether you’re starting out or upskilling, this flexible programme sets you up for success in today’s fast-paced business world.

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Key Details
SIT2LRN Distance Learning
Qualification:
Diploma
Level:
5
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time

Two - Six years part-time

Maximum Duration of Programme 6 years

Intakes are 17 weeks long

Study Modes:
Distance Learning
Dates:

2025 Intake 5: 25 August to 19 December - Applications Close 11 August 2025

2026 Intake 1: 09 February to 05 June - Applications Close 02 February 2026

2026 Intake 2: 16 March to 10 July - Applications Close 09 March 2026

2026 Intake 3: 22 June to 16 October - Applications Close 15 June 2026

2026 Intake 4: 27 July to 20 November - Applications Close 20 July 2026
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

 

     

This one year programme will encourage you to develop your initiative, whilst simultaneously meeting business organisation requirements. This stand-alone diploma specialising in leadership and management can also be used as a pathway to further study.

It is practically oriented and is designed to give you a good understanding of the theories, practices and principles involved in business.

Learn how to:

  • Develop your ability to plan
  • Organise, implement and monitor your own workload and the workload of others
  • Use communication skills to support individuals and teams to meet organisational or enterprise requirements
  • Plan, design, apply and evaluate solutions to unpredictable problems
  • Identify, analyse and synthesise information from a variety of sources.

Get started on your business career with a business diploma, specialising in leadership and management from SIT2LRN.

 

For New Students to this Programme of Study:

Please undertake 8 papers to complete this programme.

  • The core compulsory papers in all strands are: BSNS5001, BSNS5002, BSNS5003 and BSNS5004

The 4 compulsory papers for the Leadership and Management strand as follows:

  • Leadership and Management Strand: BSNS5401, BSNS5402, BSNS5403 and BSNS5404

 

For Returning Students (student who have previously started this programme of study):

  • The students currently enrolled in NZDB level 05 (SIT version/MGT Papers) will be transferred to NZDB level 05 (Te Pukenga version/BSNS Papers from 2024).
  • Please ensure you select the correct papers when you enrol online, as the application will now show the new paper codes.
  • Please refer to the "Course Content" tab and the Programme Structure (Returning Students) section.
     

Programme Structure (New Learners under Te Pūkenga)

Compulsory Core Courses (all strands)

  • BSNS5001 Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context
  • BSNS5002 Business Environments
  • BSNS5003 Business Functions
  • BSNS5004 Change and Innovation 

Leadership and Management Strand

  • BSNS5401 Introduction to Leadership
  • BSNS5402 Operations Management and Compliance
  • BSNS5403 Business Planning
  • BSNS5404 Managing Projects

Paper Descriptions

BSNS5001 Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context  (Level 5) 15 Credits

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyse organisations and engage with stakeholders in an Aotearoa New Zealand context.

At the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Examine the nature of organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Analyse how bi-cultural partnerships can influence operational business activities and relationships in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Demonstrate effective communication in professional contexts
  • Maintain professional and ethical stakeholder relationships in a socially and culturally appropriate manner.

BSNS5002 Business Environments (Level 5) 15 Credits

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyse and manage the impact of environmental influences on an organisation.

At the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Analyse the impact of internal environmental influences on business operations.
  • Analyse the impact of external environmental influences on business operations.
  • Evaluate environmental data to manage risk to support the performance of an organisation.

BSNS5003 Business Functions (Level 5) 15 Credits

The aim of this course is to develop knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to the core business functions of accounting, operations, human resource management, marketing and sales.

At the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Apply principles and practices of operations to support business performance.
  • Examine the role of human resource management in supporting business performance.
  • Explain the application of marketing and sales principles and practices that support business performance.
  • Explore accounting concepts and processes that support business performance.

BSNS5004 Change and Innovation (Level 5) 15 Credits

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to contribute to organisational change and innovation.

At the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Apply practices and processes relevant to organisational change and innovation.
  • Discuss how organisational change and innovation can contribute to enhanced business performance.
  • Examine personal and interpersonal skills that contribute to organisational change and innovation.

BSNS5401 Introduction to Leadership (Level 5) 15 Credits

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyse and identify effective leadership approaches that promote positive workplace culture, diversity and change.

At the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Analyse the role leaders play in creating an inclusive a positive workplace culture.
  • Describe leadership approaches that contribute to the successful performance of an organisation.
  • Examine leadership approaches which support effective change in an organisation.

BSNS5402 Operations Management and Compliance (Level 5) 15 Credits

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to evaluate operational issues and challenges and apply operational techniques for continuous improvement and compliance.

At the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Evaluate the internal and external compliance requirements of an organisation.
  • Describe operational issues and challenges for an organisation.
  • Apply operational techniques for continuous improvement in an organisation.

BSNS5403 Business Planning (Level 5) 15 Credits

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to engage in business planning and develop strategies that improve organisational performance.

At the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Describe the purpose and components of business planning for an organisation.
  • Prepare components of a business plan for an organisation.
  • Develop strategies to build competitive advantage and improve organisational performance.

BSNS5404 Managing Projects (Level 5) 15 Credits

The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to effectively manage projects and lead project teams.

At the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Evaluate project management techniques to inform decision making in an organisation
  • Apply techniques to manage a project within scope, resources, and time, to meet organisational objectives.
  • Develop techniques to contribute to high performance project teams within an organisation.

 

Programme Structure (Returning Students)

  • The students currently enrolled in NZDB level 05 (SIT version/MGT Papers) will be transferred to NZDB level 05 (Te Pūkenga version/BSNS Papers from 2024).
  • Please ensure you select the correct papers when you enrol online, as the application will now show the new paper codes.
  • Please see the table below for the MGT paper codes and new BSNS Paper codes:

Transition Arrangements

Old Paper Codes - MGT (SIT version)

NZDB (Level 05)

New Paper codes - BSNS (Te Pūkenga version)

NZDB (Level 05)

Old Paper CodePaper NameCreditsNew Paper CodePaper NameCredits
MGT 505Business communication15BSNS5001Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context15
MGT 503Introduction to Applied Marketing15BSNS5002Business Environments15
MGT 504Introduction to Accounting15BSNS5003Business Function15
MGT 502Introduction to Human Resource Management15BSNS5004Change and Innovation15
MGT 501Introduction to Applied Management15BSNS5402Operations Management and Compliance15
MGT 510Introduction to Leadership15BSNS5401Introduction to Leadership15
MGT 508Workplace Relationships15BSNS5403Business Planning15
MGT 507Introduction to Quality Management15BSNS5404Managing Projects15

Colour Explanation

SIT Core Papers
Leadership and Management Strand papers

Graduates of the Leadership and Management strand may be employed in a managerial/leadership operational role within New Zealand business entities.

Whakatapoko | Admission

To be eligible for admission to this programme, all applicants must meet three admission requirements: 

  • Requirements for either General or Discretionary admission
  • Any additional Programme specific requirements
  • Language Literacy requirements

General Admission

To be admitted to this programme all applicants must be at least 16 years of age on the date of the programme’s commencement for the semester in which they wish to enrol (or provide a completed Early Release Exemption form), and meet one of the following requirements:

i. Achievement of NCEA Level 2 including: 

  • 8 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above; and
  • 14 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above 

Or

ii. An equivalent of the above

Or

iii. Successful completion of an approved qualification at Level 3 or above with a relevant pathway.

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.

Discretionary Admission

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements stated above and who believe that they have the level of preparedness for study at this level may apply for discretionary admission.

In assessing whether to grant discretionary admission the primary focus will be on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate a likelihood to succeed in the programme.

3 Regulations demonstrate how the provisions and procedures for the awarding credit recognition and transfer will be applied to the programme.

4 Regulations demonstrate how the provisions and procedures for the awarding of recognition of prior learning will be applied to the programme.

All decisions will be at the discretion of the Relevant Academic Authority.

Programme Specific Requirements

There are no additional Programme Specific requirements.

Language Literacy Admission Requirements

All applicants must provide evidence that they have the necessary language literacy proficiency required for the Programme as demonstrated by the equivalence of: 

  • 8 NCEA literacy credits at Level 2 or above. 

Applicants who are unable to provide evidence of the above may be required to demonstrate capability using an approved proficiency test or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.

International applicants must provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the Programme as demonstrated by an IELTS score of 5.5 (academic) with no individual band lower than 5.0 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules and on Delivery Site English Language Requirements for International Ākonga Web-page.

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Leadership and Management strand) (Level 5), 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 strand) (Level 5).
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Leadership and Management strand) (Level 5) full-time over one year or part-time over a maximum of five years.

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

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

  • Tests
  • Assignments
  • Case studies
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Final examinations

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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