Graduate Diploma in Accounting

Graduate Diploma in Accounting

Graduate Diploma in Accounting

The Graduate Diploma in Accounting is designed for individuals who already hold a degree or possess extensive business experience, offering them the chance to deepen their knowledge in the accounting field.

Note: If your first semester of study is in Semester 2, you will only be able to study part-time for that semester due to the timetabling of papers.  

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Key Details
Invercargill / Hyflex
Qualification:
Graduate Diploma
Level:
7
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time or four years part-time

Study Modes:
Onsite or Flexible Distance
Dates:

2027 Semester 1: 15 February to 25 June

2027 Semester 2: 12 July to 19 November
Fees:

This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

  • NO tuition fees
  • Direct material costs $665 full-time (GST inclusive)

The aim of the Graduate Diploma in Accounting is to give people who already have a degree, or extensive business experience, an opportunity to extend their knowledge in accounting, without having to complete a degree.

This programme is suitable for those who have an existing qualification and want to add accounting to their skill-set. It requires completion of level 6 and 7 papers for both financial and management accounting.

Our teaching staff have extensive business experience, combined with excellent academic backgrounds and strong links with the professions, while our programmes have a strong practical and applied focus. We know that our programmes will challenge you, but that you will feel supported by us and excited about your future once you decide to study with us. Our business staff are passionate about teaching and enjoy working with students of all ages and from different cultures.

Compulsory papers

ACCY6101 Intermediate Management Accounting

ACCY6102 Intermediate Financial Accounting

ACCY7101 Advanced Management Accounting

ACCY7102 Advanced Financial Accounting

At least 45 credits must be taken from the following list of papers

ACCY7103 Auditing and Assurance

CON759 Contemporary Issues

IBS790 International Business

ETH760 Business Ethics

WPE700 Workplace Experience

ACCY7104 Professional Accounting Project - 30 credits (by Programme Leader approval only).

ACC704 Applied Research Project - Accounting - 30 credits (by Programme Leader approval only).

Balance of credits may be taken from the following list of papers (Up to 15 credits)

ACCY5101 Introduction to Accounting and Taxation

ACCY5102 Applied Accounting

ACCY5103 Budgets for Planning and Control

ACCY5104 Analysis of Financial Information

ACCY6103 Taxation in Aotearoa New Zealand

ACCY6104 Introduction to Finance

ACCY6108 Accounting Information Systems

ACCY5105 Commercial Law

ACCY6106 Law of Business Entities

If a Level 5 paper is selected it must be taken before relevant Level 6 and 7 papers.

Students who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Accounting, will have developed skills and knowledge in the area of accounting. The programme provides the theoretical, practical and professional skills appropriate for employment in a range of accounting areas or further study in the many industries.

Graduates will be able to work in a range of accounting disciplines including financial accounting, financial management, corporate accounting, taxation, auditing, and business consulting in many industries. 

Entry requirements

To apply, you’ll need to meet one of the following:

  • An undergraduate degree in any discipline, or
  • Meet the mature applicant requirements below

Mature applicants

If you’re 20 or older, you may apply without an undergraduate degree if you have at least three years of relevant work experience.

You’ll need to provide a CV outlining your relevant work experience and academic achievements. This will be assessed to determine whether you’re prepared to successfully complete the programme.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

Accepted evidence may include eligible previous study completed in English in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or an approved English language test.

Common test requirements include:

  • IELTS Academic: 6.0 overall, with no band below 5.5
  • TOEFL iBT: 60, with a writing score of 18
  • TOEFL pBT: 550, with TWE 5
  • PTE Academic: 50, with no band below 42
  • Cambridge English: B2 First, B2 First for Schools, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, score 169, with no skill below 162
  • OET: Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
  • NZCEL: Level 4 Academic
  • LanguageCert: C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) Pass, with at least 25/50 in each skill, and Spoken (S) Pass
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II, with at least Distinction in each band

Other recognised evidence of English proficiency may also be accepted. Test scores must be achieved in a single test within the two years before enrolment.

Every candidate for the qualification of Graduate Diploma in Accounting is required to follow to the satisfaction of the Board of Studies, a programme of study for a minimum period of one year. Each year of study comprises two 17-week semesters.

The overall programme of study for every candidate requires 120 credits for successful completion of the qualification.

Individual papers may have specific pre-requisites or other knowledge/skill requirements, which may be required to be satisfied by students.

In order to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Accounting, the student will have been credited with all required papers and electives as specified in the programme schedule.

A student completing the graduate diplomas will normally be expected to complete the one year programme (full-time equivalent) within four years.

Notwithstanding the requirements set out above, the Head of Faculty with the approval and recommendation of the Board of Studies may allow a student a longer period to complete the programme.

(Please note: students failing to attend for 80% of timetabled programme hours may forfeit Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.)

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