The Diploma in Applied Management (Level 7) qualification will prepare students for a career in the field of professional retail management, project management or supply chain management.

The aim is to educate and graduate professional business managers with the technical and decision making skills necessary for success in local and international business contexts, in the retail management and project management fields.

Graduates will have been provided with networks and links to the professional retailing and project management industries and a well-rounded and multi-disciplinary qualification relevant to today's corporate sector.

The objective is to develop reflective practitioners who can work effectively and:
a. apply advanced knowledge and skills in commercial practice
b. add value to a profit or non-profit organisation
c. develop their own businesses
d. apply understanding of the theoretical underpinnings and practical implications of strategic decision making
e. work independently or in teams
f. understand cultural, ethical, social and environmental issues
g. develop strong social skills and work with people from diverse cultures.

Graduates of this qualification will have a comprehensive understanding of the main theories and concepts in applied management and development of practical skills in relevant business settings. They will be able to:
QO1 Use critical thinking skills to assess applied business-related problems and to develop pragmatic solutions which have real world relevance.
QO2 Apply strategic decision-making skills and advanced analytic skills to examine and evaluate the nature of dynamic competitive business environments and the implications for applied management.
QO3 Proficiently manage the financial function of an organisation and the operations management of an organisation.
QO4 Demonstrate knowledge of the theory and practice of marketing, the management of the marketing function and the tasks of marketing strategy development and planning.
QO5 Apply their learned skills in an actual professional retail or project management or procurement and supply chain environment.

Professional Retailing Strand
QO6PR Gather, analyse and interpret marketing information in a retail context.
QO7PR Demonstrate a sound understanding of the importance and practise of customer relationship development in a contemporary retail environment.
QO8PR Demonstrate a sound understanding of the marketing and retail mix strategies and tactics available to the manager in a dynamic and challenging retail environment.

Project Management Strand
QO6PM Demonstrate knowledge of the process of identifying, choosing and implementing activities that will enhance the long term performance of an organisation by setting direction, utilising technology and innovation and by creating ongoing compatibility between the internal skills, resources and capabilities of an organisation and the changing external environment within which it operates.
QO7PM Demonstrate a sound understanding of the practical, 'hands-on' tools and techniques needed to manage a project on a day-to-day basis.
QO8PM Understand and apply the concepts and techniques presented to a variety of economic decision-making applications.
QO9PM Research and report on a project management topic in a workplace.

Procurement and supply chain management strand
QO6PS Offer advice and guidance to main stakeholders on the application of the sourcing process
QO7PS Understand supply chains which organisations operate in.
QO8PS Understand practices that help achieve value for money solutions in procurement.
QO9PS Apply a set of appropriate tools and techniques that can assess sourcing options available to organisations when procuring goods, services or works from external suppliers.
QO10PS Identify approaches to achieve negotiated agreements with external organisations and recognise the use of legal terms that should regulate commercial agreements.
QO11PS Apply methods to improve supplier performance, recognising the need for a structured approach when dealing with performance and relationship issues.
QO12PS Understand different approaches to the management of individuals and groups or teams within organisations.
QO13PS Appraise a variety of tools and techniques to establish the level of risk in supply chains and recommend ways of avoiding, mitigating or managing those risks.
QO14PS Assess a range of processes that help achieve improvements in business performance through its supply chain.
QO15PS Demonstrate basic research skills and apply these to complex specialised contexts within the Procurement and Supply context

Health Management Strand
QO6HM Recognise and critically discuss current and emerging public health issues on local, state, national, and global levels.
QO7HM Critically analyse ethical considerations in healthcare management and effectively communicate the selection, use, and evaluation of healthcare information.
QO8HM Apply and work within legislative, regulatory, and quality assurance frameworks in the healthcare setting and make recommendations to establish best practice.
Q09HM Analyse health inequalities and improve health outcomes for Maori, Pasifika, and other specific population groups.
QO10HM Apply research and evaluation to address public health issues globally and make recommendations to improve public health practice.
QO11HM Develop the capability to articulate theory and practice in leadership governance and operational planning within the healthcare sector.

Holders of this qualification may apply for entry into further tertiary education and training programmes relating to this field of study in New Zealand or overseas. They may apply for entry and recognition of prior learning into bachelor's degrees in relevant fields of business, commerce, management and marketing in New Zealand and overseas.

In order to be eligible for admission to the programme, candidates must have successfully completed a level 6
NZQA approved business diploma or equivalent.
The minimum age at course start date is 18 years.
International students must have a minimum IELTS academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5
or equivalent from the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules.