Ready to excel
Whether you want to study something new, enhance your career prospects, or get up to date with new developments in your industry, Wellington School of Business and Government has the study options to suit your goals.
Part time or full time, the 120-point Graduate Diploma in Commerce is a great way to get familiar with a new subject and learn new skills.
The Diploma can also help prepare you for further study by building your knowledge and confidence in your chosen subject.
Why Wellington
Study at the Wellington School of Business and Government and you’re studying at the centre of the action. Our campuses sit minutes from Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the CBD, giving you direct access to the people and institutions shaping New Zealand’s business and policy landscape.
Wellington is also home to a thriving innovation and tech sector, with strong links to government. So whether your interest is data science, policy, or enterprise, you’re plugged into the industry from day one.
Who can study for this qualification
You normally need a Bachelor of Commerce to apply for the GDipCom. But if you have a different degree or suitable professional experience, you may still be able to study for this qualification.
You may also need to have studied in a related field, depending on your chosen area of focus.
If you want to study a shorter qualification, check out our 60-point Graduate Certificate in Commerce. It offers the same range of specialisation options.
What you’ll learn
What you’ll learn depends on the courses you choose and whether you have a specialisation.
You can gain a GDipCom with or without a specialisation.
To gain a specialisation, you’ll need to take all of your required courses in the same subject. If your courses are in different subjects, you won’t get a specialisation.
Choose from the following specialisations in the GDipCom:
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Commercial Law
- Digital Intelligence
- Economics
- Finance
- Human Resource Management and Employment Relations
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Public Management
- Public Policy
- Taxation
- Tourism Management.
How you’ll study
Whatever your chosen subject, you’ll do a variety of coursework and typically learn in person. You’ll have regular assessments for each course you take.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed secondary school in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the GDipCom shall have:
(i) completed a BCom degree; and
(ii) been accepted by the appropriate head of school or the Associate Dean (Students) of the Wellington School of Business and Government as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the associate dean for a candidate who:
(i) has completed another Bachelor’s degree and has adequate training and ability to proceed with the proposed course of study; or
(ii) is enrolled in courses that would complete a BCom degree, in which case the degree must be completed before the certificate or diploma can be awarded; or
(iii) has appropriate professional experience and has demonstrated ability to achieve at this level.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the GDipCom
2. (a) The course of study for the GDipCom shall be a coherent programme of study approved by the appropriate head of school or the associate dean. The course of study shall consist of courses worth at least 120 points at 200 level or above, including at least 75 points at 300 level or above.
(b) At the discretion of the associate dean, any course previously passed for a Certificate of Proficiency may be credited to the diploma.
3. (a) A candidate for the GDipCom shall normally be enrolled for at least two trimesters, and complete the diploma within three years of first enrolling for the diploma.
(b) The associate dean may extend the maximum period in (a) in special cases.
Note: The time taken to complete the diploma may depend on the timetabling of courses and the need to pass prerequisites. It may not always be possible to complete a specialisation in the minimum time.
4. A candidate who has been awarded the GCertCom may transfer to the GDipCom the courses credited to the certificate, provided that the certificate is abandoned.
Specialisations in the GDipCom
A specialisation is the subject you focus on in your qualification—similar to a major in an undergraduate degree. Each specialisation has specific courses and requirements.
Choose your specialisation from the options below.
Specialisations
Explore your subject options below.
GDipCom subjects
Accounting
Actuarial Science
Commercial Law
Data Science
Economics
Human Resource Management and Employment Relations
Information Systems
International Business
Management
Marketing
Public Management
Public Policy
Tourism Management
No matching subjects found.
Future careers
Your career path after you graduate will depend on your chosen specialisation.
You could get into careers like :
- accountant or auditor
- actuary
- business or management consultant
- marketing or communications specialist
- financial or investment analyst
- human resources adviser or recruiter
- operations or supply chain coordinator
- policy or advisory analyst
- data or business analyst.
More career information
Find out more about careers in commerce.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Commerce
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In honour of Jonathan Nicholls (ACC's Head of Actuarial Services who passed away in early 2015), ACC wishes to promote the actuarial profession in much the same way that Jonathan did. ACC is dedicated to supporting Actuarial Science students and others looking to pursue a career in the actuarial profession.
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Commerce
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This scholarship is open to Pasifika students intending to enrol in a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Master’s degree in Business at the Wellington School of Business and Government. Applicants are expected to have met the admissions requirements for the qualification of interest. Applicants will be assessed on merit however preference may be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
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In honour of Jonathan Nicholls (ACC's Head of Actuarial Services who passed away in early 2015), ACC wishes to promote the actuarial profession in much the same way that Jonathan did. ACC is dedicated to supporting Actuarial Science students and others looking to pursue a career in the actuarial profession.
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
International recognition
Wellington School of Business and Government is among the top 1% of business schools worldwide that hold the ‘Triple Crown’ of international business education accreditations. By studying here, you can be confident your qualification will be recognised globally for its quality.
Further research or study
After completing the GDipCom, you might want to continue on to postgraduate study in one of the following:
- Bachelor of Commerce with Honours
- Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce
- Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce
- Master of Commerce.
Find out more about your postgraduate study options at Wellington School of Business and Government.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.