A pathway to advanced leadership
The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PGDipBusAdmin) is designed to sharpen your strategic thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.
It equips you with practical tools you can apply immediately in your career—while also expanding your professional network through engagement with leading academics and industry peers.
The PGDipBusAdmin is valuable in its own right as a professional qualification. It also offers a flexible pathway into our Executive MBA, for those who want to progress to the next level when the time is right.
Who can study for this qualification
The PGDipBusAdmin is an advanced qualification designed for mid-career professionals on a leadership pathway. You can use it to fill knowledge gaps, update your expertise, or develop new management skills.
To get into this programme, you need:
- a Bachelor’s degree. Depending on your background, we may waive this requirement.
- at least five years of relevant work experience—preferably in a leadership role. This kind of practical experience will help you contribute to class discussions.
What you’ll learn
For the PGDipBusAdmin, you’ll study eight courses from the Executive MBA programme. The courses cover topics like:
- executive leadership
- culture and change
- corporate financial management
- strategic marketing
- digital transformation.
If you complete the Diploma and decide you’d like to continue studying for the Executive MBA, these eight courses will count towards your final degree.
Professional development
You'll complete professional development activities as part of each core course in this programme. These activities include:
- workshops
- seminars
- panel sessions
- guest lectures.
Presenters include experienced executive coaches, economists, designers, and more.
How you’ll learn
Core classes are held in person on Fridays and Saturdays across all three trimesters. You’ll be able to apply what you’re learning to your professional life right away.
Timetables vary for elective options, depending on the courses you choose.
Full-time study
With full-time study, you’ll do four courses per trimester over two trimesters. You’ll complete your PGDipBusAdmin in one year.
Part-time study
As a domestic student studying part time, you’ll do two courses per trimester over four trimesters. You’ll complete your PGDipBusAdmin in one and a half years.
Workload
The average workload for each course is about 10 to 12 hours per week, including lectures, workshops, and self-directed study. This will vary from week to week, depending on your readings, assignments, and workshops.
Related qualifications
Our business administration qualifications form a tiered family. They’re ‘staircased’, so courses you complete for a smaller qualification can count towards a larger one.
- Executive MBA (180 points)—our flagship qualification, and the one most students enrol in
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (120 points)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration (60 points)
You can start with the Certificate or Diploma and apply to transfer to the Executive MBA later.
Choose the qualification with the entry requirements, time commitment, and career benefits that suit you best.
Find out more about our Postgraduate Business Administration.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
Fill in a form to get a copy of our prospectus, or get in touch directly with our Recruitment Manager, Jade Chiam.
Email: jade.chiam@vuw.ac.nz
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university 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 PGDipBusAdmin shall have:
(i) completed a Bachelor’s degree; and
(ii) had at least five years of relevant work experience at a level acceptable to the EMBA director; and
(iii) been accepted by the EMBA director as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) of the Wellington School of Business and Government for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience that provides equivalent preparation.
Qualification requirements
2. The course of study for the PGDipBusAdmin shall consist of courses worth 120 points, including 90 points from EMBA 501–507, and a further 30 points from the Schedule to the EMBA Regulations.
3. (a) A candidate for the PGDipBusAdmin shall normally be enrolled for at least two trimesters, and shall complete the diploma within three years of first enrolling in any course credited to the qualification.
(b) The director may extend the maximum periods in special cases.
4. A candidate who has been awarded the PGDipBusAdmin shall abandon that qualification upon being awarded the EMBA.
Future careers
Many of our Business Administration graduates are now business and public sector executives, both in New Zealand and overseas.
The performance lift and opportunities for promotion that our qualifications offer can significantly increase your earning power.
More career information
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 related to business
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The scholarship will be awarded to a student who is undertaking research at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington on the interactions and relationship between the public and private sectors in the area of policy and management.
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This Scholarship is to support young Māori women studying at Wellington School of Business and Government.
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This scholarship is for a Master's research project on the tensions concerning insurability and climate adaptation in Aotearoa New Zealand, ideally with a particular focus on marae-centred communities.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree, Postgraduate Diploma, or eligible Honours 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 related to business
-
The scholarship will be awarded to a student who is undertaking research at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington on the interactions and relationship between the public and private sectors in the area of policy and management.
-
This scholarship is for a Master's research project on the tensions concerning insurability and climate adaptation in Aotearoa New Zealand, ideally with a particular focus on marae-centred communities.
-
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.
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.
Ask your employer for support
Pursuing postgraduate study can be a win-win for you and your employer. See some advice about asking your employer for support with your study.
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.