Graduate Diploma in Applied Marketing

Improve your marketing career with the Graduate Diploma in Applied Marketing. Learn advanced strategic planning, analysis, marketing skills and implementation tactics and help get your career to the next level.

Important Notice:

This programme is now closed to new students. Students already enrolled will be allowed to continue in this course going forward, to finish off their qualification. 

If you have any questions, please send an email to info@sit.ac.nz. Please specify the programme of study you are enquiring about in the subject section of your email, so that your query can be quickly directed to the right person.

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SIT Online
Campus
SIT Online
Qualification
Graduate Diploma
Level
7
Credits
120
Duration

One year full-time 

Up to four years part-time 

Intakes are 17 weeks long

Dates
TBC
Fees
This programme qualifies for SIT Zero Fees. Terms and Conditions apply. Click here for more information.
Tuition Fees

Zero tuition fees

Direct Material Costs

$8.00 per credit (incl. GST)

International Fees

$100 per credit (incl. GST). See International.

Course Outline

Important Notice:

This programme is now closed to new students. Students already enrolled will be allowed to continue in this course going forward, to finish off their qualification. 

If you have any questions, please send an email to info@sit.ac.nz. Please specify the programme of study you are enquiring about in the subject section of your email, so that your query can be quickly directed to the right person.

The Graduate Diploma in Applied Marketing will help students to strategically analyse market information in order to develop and apply marketing concepts to complex real-world scenarios such as: formulating marketing plans, conceptualising and evaluating promotion campaigns and making reasoned trade-offs between objectives and budgets and to innovate and manage change via a strong grounding in the realities of social, economic, and technological change processes, the underlying dynamics of consumer and industrial buyer behaviour, contemporary marketing research practice, and organisational behavioural principles.

The aim of the Graduate Diploma in Applied Marketing is to provide students who already have a degree, or extensive applicable experience, with advanced theoretical and applied knowledge in Applied Marketing, which can be used in professional practice or further advanced study in this area. 


The programme offers a blend of theoretical and practical learning, with an emphasis on applied knowledge and skill. High importance is placed on the development of soft skills for management (such as communication, presentation, interpersonal and problem-solving skills), in addition to the development of specific business knowledge.

You will learn to:

  • Strategically analyse market information in order to apply and develop market research, 
  • Develop marketing plans, promotional campaigns and cost-effective budgets. 
Course Content

Compulsory papers

MGT602 Marketing Operations (15 credits)

Students will consider marketing activities in the context of quality and customer service and in the setting of marketing strategies to enable marketing objectives to be met.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  • Examine the effect quality and customer service has in relation to specific marketing activities.
  • Assess the influences of quality and customer service on marketing mix decisions.
  • Develop marketing objectives and prepare marketing strategies for a specific organization.
  • Formulate quality standards and customer service strategies for marketing operations.

MGT704 Strategic Marketing Management (15 credits)

This paper provides students with a comprehensive understanding of marketing strategy relevant to contemporary organisations and markets.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  • Critically analyse the key principles of marketing strategy development and evaluate the processes for successful marketing strategy implementation.
  • Conduct a strategic customer, market, and environmental analysis, including the application of scenario planning.
  • Compare and contrast marketing strategies for new and growth markets and assess marketing strategies for hostile and declining markets.
  • Critically discuss the key emerging issues in modern day marketing strategy.

MGT706 Reputation and Brand Management (15 credits)

This paper provides students with an understanding of what the components of reputation and brand are and how these are protected in a political setting. Students will also be able to develop strategic tactics for brand protection.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  • Compare and contrast how corporate reputation is measured by a variety of stakeholders, both internal and external.
  • Critically examine the evolution of corporate reputation and analyse the opportunities and challenges facing business in the digital age.
  • Critically analyse a brand and its components to develop, justify and evaluate strategies for brand protection.
  • Evaluate strategies to manage brands for continued growth and profitability with specific consideration to corporate social responsibility.

MGT702 Research Methodology (15 credits)

This paper will introduce students to the knowledge and skills required to undertake academic research.  It will cover research skills, research methodologies, gathering and presenting primary and secondary information and data, ethical considerations, and the literature review process.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  • Select a suitable topic on which to base a research project, or similar piece of written work, and identify any possible ethical issues.
  • Source and critically analyse suitable secondary research from a variety of sources both online and in hard copy and select a methodology for gathering primary data.
  • Understand the requirements of a ‘literature review’ and how to construct this using an appropriate referencing style.
  • Write a proposal to complete a research project, or similar, outlining how all the key elements will be met within a specified timeframe.

MGT707 Digital Marketing: Strategy and Analysis (15 credits)

This paper provides students with specialised knowledge of marketing strategy within a digital context. Students will analyse the societal impact of marketing and how to integrate digital marketing strategies with traditional marketing strategies and analyse the role of the marketing mix to develop digital marketing strategies for use within different marketplaces. 

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  • Critically analyse marketing’s impact on society and organisational and societal approaches to corporate social responsibility and sustainability.
  • Compare and contrast digital marketing strategy to traditional marketing strategy
  • Analyse the role of the marketing mix in a digital context and explore the concept of relationship marketing using digital platforms. 
  • Design and develop digital marketing strategies using key digital tactics and techniques for different marketplaces.

MGT720 Consumer Behaviour and Market Trends (15 credits)

This paper critically evaluates the concepts and theories that drive consumer behaviour, how socio-economic factors influence consumer decision making, how consumers respond to marketing and promotion trends and how organisations can utilise consumer behaviour trends to effectively market a product or service.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  • Critically evaluate concepts and theories underpinning consumer behaviour.
  • Assess the impact of group social and cultural influences on consumer behaviour and decision making.
  • Critically evaluate the effectiveness of various advertisements and promotions and their attempts to influence the behaviours of consumers.
  • Analyse the trends in consumer behaviour, and apply them to the marketing of an actual product or service.

MGT709 Relationships, Influence and Leadership (15 credits)

This paper presents insights to enable students to recognise their role in influencing decision makers and understand how to use influential tactics.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  • Analyse and evaluate a range of perspectives on leadership relevant to different management levels within organisational and situational contexts
  • Evaluate the influence of a range of factors on leadership
  • Apply leadership contemporary knowledge and skills to the management of change
  • Critically evaluate their current leadership abilities, strengths and weaknesses, and create their own leadership development plan

MGT736 Managing Business with Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)

This paper introduces students to the strategic use of artificial intelligence in business and explores how AI can improve performance, support innovation, and be used responsibly to create a competitive advantage.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  • Analyse potential strategic applications of artificial intelligence to enhance organisational performance, including efficiency, productivity, decision-making, and customer experience.
  • Critically assess the ethical, legal, and social implications of implementing AI solutions within organisational contexts.
  • Evaluate an organisation’s strategies, resources and capabilities to integrate AI solutions into business operations.
Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Applied Marketing have gained employment in marketing roles in private and public sectors including education and retail.

Application Criteria

General Admission: To be admitted to this programme all applicants must have obtained an undergraduate degree in any discipline.

Special Admission: Mature applicants aged at least 20 years who do not meet the general admission requirements may apply if they have at least three years’ work experience relevant to the area of study and have successfully completed a minimum of 40 credits of study at Level 6.

Special admission applicants must supply their curriculum vitae to demonstrate their relevant work experience and provide evidence of their academic achievements. 

In assessing whether to grant special admission the primary focus will be on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate a likelihood to succeed in the programme. 

The Programme Manager will use this information to assess the applicant’s level of preparedness for study at this level and whether the applicant is likely to successfully complete the qualification.

Meeting the application criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the programme.

English Language Requirements

All applicants (international and domestic) for whom English is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme.

International applicants 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.

Domestic applicants must provide evidence that they have the necessary language literacy proficiency required for the Programme as 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 

Applicants who are unable to provide evidence of the above may be required to demonstrate capability using either:

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