New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) - Online

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 60 credits. The courses includes:

Business Environment and Law (15 Credits)
Develop an understanding of the legal and social responsibilities that relate to the formation and operation of a small business. The course covers:

• Asset registers
• Business plan writing
• Code of conduct
• Corporate social responsibility
• Development planning
• Environmental scanning
• Health and safety in the workplace
• Innovation and entrepreneurship
• Business insurance
• New Zealand small business legislation
• Objective setting
• Risk management
• Skills inventories for resourcing
• Strategies and operational tactics

Finance and Technology (15 Credits)
Learn about finance and technology related to the operation of a small business. The course covers:

• Budgeting 
• Cash flow management
• Finance
• Taxation requirements for small business
• Small business technology
• Office productivity tools
  

Human Resources and Professional Development (15 Credits)
Develop strategies for managing human resources and professional development for a small business. The course covers:

• Employment law
• Performance management
• Professional development
• Job descriptions
• Grievance and discipline procedures
• Staff management
• Business ethics
• Recruitment
• Relevant legislation

Marketing and Communication (15 Credits)
Develop strategies for marketing and building effective customer and stakeholder relationships for a small business. The course covers:

• Conducting marketing research
• Marketing segmentation
• Marketing plans
• Branding
• Customer focus research
• Stakeholder and customer communication
• Cultural competence
• Social media for business
• Online marketing

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

English language proficiency
The minimum entry for international students is an IELTS General or Academic Level 5.5 with no band lower than 5, taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (or equivalent, including TOEFL). UCOL is a TOEFL iBT testing centre. 

Applicants under 20 years of age: 

Applicants under 20 years of age must provide evidence of an equivalent academic qualification that meets the relevant programme requirements for entry. Please refer to the International Academic Qualifications Entry Criteria Guidelines for more details.

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.

There is no work experience component for this programme 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).