Graduate Diploma in Project Management

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time.

This programme consist of 120 credits. The courses includes:

Level 6 courses 

Project Management (15 credits)
Learn the basic principles and terminology of the profession of project management, and apply this to create project plans. You'll also be given a brief introduction to using project management.

Introduction to Finance (15 credits)
Learn to apply financial management knowledge and skills to a small or medium size business for decision-making purposes.

Operations Management (15 credits)
Gain an understanding of the concepts and analytical methods that contribute to the systematic direction and control of the processes that transform inputs into completed goods and services. Operations Management focuses on the management of people and resources through systematic management and feedback. You'll gain an introductory knowledge and experience of an operation's contribution to the macro-management environment.

Level 7 courses 

Advanced Project Management (15 credits)
Learn the principles of the project management body of knowledge and cover the content of the Project Management Institute and is application and evaulation to the workplace.

Resource Integration Management (15 credits)
Develop the skills, knowledge and expertise in the related disciplines of supply chain management, business facility layout/modification, and engineering economics, to ensure resource integration occurs at various levels for business operation, technical management, project management and production of goods or services.

Professional Practice (15 credits)
Preparation for transition into an applied business profession. You'll also source an industry project/internship and produce appropriate documentation.

Industry Project/Internship (30 credits)
An applied research project involving a work placement at an organisation to which theoretical learning and self-reflection is applied.

A bachelor's degree in any field excluding Project Management
OR
Level 6 or 7 Diploma and relevant work and/or life experience (equivalent to a Bachelor's degree) or Evidence of equivalent practical, professional or educational experience e.g. 3 - 5 years full time work experience [relevant to business studies].

Places are available to international students on a full fee basis. 

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international student applicants.

English language proficiency
International student applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible). UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

Under 20 years of age
In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency. 

As UCOL becomes Te Pūkenga on 1 January 2023, learners enrolling in a programme that is likely to continue into semester 1 2023 or starting in semester 1 2023 will become Te Pūkenga learners. They will receive their qualification from Te Pūkenga on completion.

Additional qualification
If you complete Resource Integration Management as your elective and one additional course, Product Development, you will graduate with two graduate diplomas; the Graduate Diploma in Project Management and the Graduate Diploma in Operations and Production Management, provided that your industry project reflects both fields of study.

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).