Graduate Diploma in Project Management

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Project Management will have the capability to evaluate organisational challenges and implement projects that address strategic priorities outside standard operational activities. They will have the knowledge to apply project management methodologies, risk assessment, business case development, and leadership skills to plan and deliver initiatives in diverse and dynamic organisational contexts, both individually and as part of a team.

Possible roles may include project-focused, coordination, or advisory roles:

• Working on projects that sit outside business-as-usual operations, often supporting organisational change, improvement initiatives, or new capability development
• Planning, justifying, and coordinating projects, including risk assessment, business case development, stakeholder engagement, and reporting
• Contributing to cross-functional project teams, liaising between operational staff, managers, external providers, and stakeholders
• Taking responsibility for managing defined workstreams or entire projects with moderate complexity, risk, or innovation elements

All applicants must:

1. have obtained at least an undergraduate degree in any discipline (provide degree evidence with your application)

OR

1. be a mature student (aged at least 20 years) with at least three years’ relevant work experience and have successfully completed a minimum of 40 credits of study at Level 6 in any discipline (provide curriculum vitae detailing relevant work experience and evidence of academic achievements with your application). 

English Language Requirements

All applicants (international and domestic) need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme.

For domestic applicants, this can be demonstrated by the equivalence of: 

• 10 NCEA literacy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:

• 5 credits in reading
• 5 credits in writing

If unable to provide evidence of the above, applicants may be required to demonstrate capability using:

• an approved proficiency test or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules
• successful completion of Level 4 study in English

International applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, must provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme as outlined in the table for internationally recognised English proficiency outcomes for international students from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules and on Delivery Site English Language Requirements for International Ākonga webpage.

Studying online at SIT

Once you are enrolled, your course materials, assessments and due dates will be available through Blackboard, SIT's online learning environment. You will have access to your course materials from the start date of your intake.

Students are required to use their SIT email for SIT Online communications. Once you have been accepted into a programme, you will receive an Important Information Booklet with guidance to help you get familiar with Blackboard.

Staying in contact with your Facilitator

During your intake, you can contact your Facilitator by email. Facilitators aim to respond within 2 working days.

Within the first 1-2 weeks of your intake, you need to email your Facilitator to confirm that you have started your studies. If you have not contacted your Facilitator or started your course by the end of the second week, you may be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme.

This may affect your future access to the Zero Fees Scheme, and you will still be responsible for Student Direct Material Costs.

Results and transcripts

After each intake, check your results through MySIT.

Once you successfully complete your programme, you will receive an official academic transcript, which will be posted to you.

If you're new to SIT Online, we also recommend reading the FAQs for more information about studying and enrolling online.

Study load

Full-time study 

For StudyLink purposes, the minimum study load considered full-time depends on the length of your intake:

• 12–15 weeks: minimum 36 credits
• 16–19 weeks: minimum 48 credits
• 20 weeks: minimum 60 credits

Part-time study*

If you plan to study part time, consider your work, family and other commitments when choosing your study load.

As a guide, we recommend:

• Working 37+ hours per week: up to 30 credits per intake
• Working 20–37 hours per week: up to 45 credits per intake
• Working fewer than 20 hours per week: up to 60 credits per intake

These are guidelines only. The right study load will depend on your individual circumstances.

*Your eligibility and maximum duration you have to complete your qualification part-time is subject to change, enquire to confirm.

How much study time should I allow?

As a guide, one credit is approximately 10 hours of study.

Use the Study Load Calculator to help work out a manageable study load based on your commitments.

Important enrolment information

• All papers selected for an intake must be completed within that intake unless a transfer is approved. 
• Online enrolment is completed year by year, and you can apply for multiple intakes in one enrolment.
• You are responsible for enrolling for further study. Enrolment does not automatically roll over to the next year.

Cross credits and previous study

If you have completed relevant previous study or have applicable prior learning, you may be eligible for cross credit, credit transfer or recognition of prior learning.

See the SIT information on cross credits, credit transfers and recognition of prior learning for eligibility and application details.

If you have completed relevant previous study or have applicable prior learning, you may be eligible for cross credit, credit transfer or recognition of prior learning.

Check our current information on cross credits, credit transfers and recognition of prior learning for eligibility and application details.

Before you apply

Please read the Information on this page before starting your application. 
Your application will be assessed based on the information and supporting documents you provide.

Missing information or documents may delay your application.

Application checklist (once you click “Enrol”)

Before submitting your application, check that:

• You have read the Programme Information on this page.
• You meet the programme admission requirements.
• You meet any entry requirements for the individual paper(s) you want to study.
• You have selected your preferred intake(s), avoiding overlapping intakes.
• You know how you intend to pay for your study.
• If your organisation or employer is paying, you have an approved purchase order ready to attach. If they do not pay your fees, these will become your responsibility.
• If applying for cross credit, you have completed the required cross credit form.
• You have access to a computer, internet connection and software for creating electronic documents, such as Microsoft Word or OpenOffice.

For Level 3 programmes: You will be required by the Tertiary Education Commission to complete at least one literacy and one numeracy assessment as part of your studies.

New students

You will also need to:

• Provide an active NSN in the name you are enrolling under. If you do not know your NSN, contact NZQA on 0800 697 296.
• If you do not have an active NSN, provide verified identification in the name you are enrolling under.
• If you are a New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident, provide proof of residency.
• Provide supporting academic documentation, such as your NZQA Record of Achievement, academic transcripts or certificates. These documents do not need to be verified.
• If you do not have academic documentation, provide a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience.
• Attach any other supporting documents required for the programme.

Zero Fees Scheme | What is the Zero Fees Scheme?

Under the Zero Fees Scheme, SIT does not charge tuition fees. You will still need to pay the applicable Student Direct Material Cost and a non-refundable administration fee.

The Student Direct Material Cost provides access to Blackboard®, SIT's online learning environment, and student support services throughout your study.

Who qualifies?

The Zero Fees Scheme is available to:

• New Zealand citizens completing the full qualification.
• Australian citizens, New Zealand Residents and Permanent Residents who will be living in New Zealand for the duration of their enrolment.

If you are not eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme, call 0800 748 257 to discuss your options.

Submit your application

Complete the online application and attach all required supporting documentation.

Before submitting, check that the information you have provided is complete and accurate. Missing information or documentation may delay the processing of your application.

Any additional documentation can be emailed to sitonline@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

1. Application received
   You will receive an automatic email confirming that SIT has received your application. Processing may take up to three weeks. We will contact you sooner if we require additional documentation.
2. Offer and invoice
   If your application is accepted, you will receive a conditional offer of acceptance, an invoice and payment instructions.
3. Enrolment confirmed
   Once payment has been received, or you have selected an approved payment method such as Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order, you will receive an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet.
4. Get ready to study
   Closer to the start of your intake, you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter with the information, tools and guidance you need to begin your studies.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Graduate Diploma in Project Management, they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all papers, and achieved a total of 120 credits as specified in the programme schedule. The timeframe for completion of this programme is four years.

Assessments for this programme may include, but are not limited to: 

• Essays/reports
• Case studies
• Presentations
• Reflections

All assessment items, including Discussion Activities, must be submitted and an overall grade of C- or higher must be achieved to pass the paper. All requirements for assessment must be submitted by the advised time and date. Late assignments will not be accepted unless an extension has been requested by the student and granted by the facilitator, in writing, before the due date. Please click here for further details of assessments in the papers in this qualification.

For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here.