New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management (Level 5)

Jumpstart your career with the New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management (Level 5) and develop practical skills that can open doors to opportunities across hospitality, tourism, retail, customer service, events, and many other service-based industries.

This industry-focused programme helps students build knowledge in hospitality operations, customer service, facilities management, inventory control, teamwork, leadership, and staff management. Students also develop valuable communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills that are highly valued by employers in a wide range of industries.

With a blend of practical learning and real-world industry experience, graduates are well prepared for careers in hotels, tourism businesses, restaurants, retail management, events, sales, customer service, and business operations both in New Zealand and internationally.

Enrol Now Ask a question
Invercargill
Queenstown
Campus
Queenstown
Qualification
Diploma
Level
5
Credits
120
Duration

One year full-time

Part-time study is also available

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

$2,161.00 (incl. GST)


International Fees

Check if this course is available to international students in our International section.

Course Outline

Kickstart your career in the hospitality and tourism industry with the New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management (Level 5). This practical and industry-focused programme gives students the skills and confidence to manage different areas of a hospitality business, including facilities, inventory, operations, customer service, and staff management.

The diploma prepares students for supervisory, team leader, and junior management roles across a wide range of industries such as hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, catering, accommodation, tourism businesses, events, retail, and other customer-focused service sectors.

Students learn hospitality operating procedures, compliance requirements, staffing strategies, communication, leadership, and facility and inventory management through a combination of classroom learning and practical industry experience. The programme helps students build valuable real-world skills that employers highly value, creating strong pathways into employment or further study both in New Zealand and internationally.

Course Content

ACT510 Introduction to Accounting and Taxation

Develop an understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and taxation processes used in modern businesses. Students learn how to apply accounting concepts and tax rules to prepare and interpret financial statements, building practical financial skills valuable across hospitality, tourism, retail, and many other industries.

BSNS5001 Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context

Explore how businesses operate within the unique social, cultural, economic, and business environment of Aotearoa New Zealand. Students develop knowledge and skills to analyse different types of organisations and understand the role of culture, sustainability, and business practices in New Zealand workplaces.

BSNS5301 Introduction to Human Resources

Gain knowledge of key human resource functions including recruitment, staff development, communication, teamwork, and performance management. This course helps students understand how effective people management contributes to successful organisations and positive workplace culture.

BSNS5501 Introduction to Marketing

Learn the foundations of marketing and how businesses attract, satisfy, and retain customers in today’s competitive environment. Students explore marketing principles, consumer behaviour, branding, promotion, and digital marketing strategies relevant to hospitality, tourism, retail, and service industries.

HTM501 Introduction to Tourism

Discover the exciting world of tourism and hospitality through key concepts, theories, and real-world industry examples. This course provides an understanding of tourism markets, visitor behaviour, global tourism trends, and the importance of customer experience within the tourism and hospitality industry.

HTM505 Food and Beverage Management

Develop practical and management skills required for successful food and beverage operations. Students learn about hospitality operations, customer service, legal and operational requirements, staff supervision, and the importance of maintaining high standards in restaurants, cafés, bars, catering, and hotel operations.

HTM507 Hotel Operations

Gain an understanding of the key functions of Front Office and Housekeeping operations within hotels and accommodation businesses. Students learn the importance of guest service, teamwork, quality management, and creating positive guest experiences through both tangible and intangible hospitality services.

HTM509 Hospitality Service Delivery Systems

Build practical and managerial skills required to plan, manage, and improve hospitality service operations. This course focuses on service quality, customer satisfaction, service recovery, communication skills, and the practical application of hospitality management concepts within food service and hospitality environments.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management (Level 5) will develop the practical skills, industry knowledge, and confidence needed for a wide range of career opportunities within hospitality, tourism, retail, customer service, and other service-focused industries.

Career pathways may include junior or trainee management positions, as well as supervisory and team leader roles across hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, catering businesses, accommodation providers, tourism operations, and event venues.

The programme prepares students with strong communication, teamwork, customer service, and operational management skills that employers highly value. Many recent graduates have successfully gained employment within the hospitality and tourism industry across New Zealand, with some progressing into leadership roles and long-term career opportunities within the wider service sector.

Application Criteria

Entry requirements

School leavers

To apply, you’ll need to:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have completed at least four years of secondary education
  • Have at least 12 NCEA Level 2 credits in each of four approved subjects

Mature applicants

If you’re 20 or older when you enrol, you may be considered if you can demonstrate your ability to succeed in the programme.

Evidence may include:

  • Successful completion of a Level 3 or higher qualification in a related discipline
  • Two or more years of employment in tourism or a related sector

Your relevant experience, previous study and commitment to completing the programme will be considered as part of your application.

In exceptional circumstances, mature applicants who don’t meet the standard entry requirements may also be considered if they have successfully completed an approved course or programme that demonstrates they are prepared for study at the required academic level.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, or your previous education was not taught in English, you’ll need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

You can meet this requirement through one of the following:

  • NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance
  • An International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A Level where teaching and assessment were completed in English
  • CELTA or CertTESOL
  • Completion of primary education (equivalent to New Zealand Years 1 to 8) plus at least three years of secondary education taught in English in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States
  • At least five years of secondary education taught in English in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States
  • Completion of a tertiary qualification taught in English from a tertiary education provider in one of the countries listed above. This includes a bachelor’s degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, bachelor honours degree, postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, master’s degree or doctoral degree
  • An approved English language proficiency test that meets the requirements below

English language test requirements

  • IELTS Academic: 5.5 overall, with no band below 5.0
  • TOEFL pBT: 550, with TWE 5
  • TOEFL iBT: 46, with a writing score of 14
  • Cambridge English: B2 First or B2 First for Schools, score 162, with no skill below 154
  • OET: Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
  • NZCEL: Level 4 General or Employment
  • PTE Academic: 42, with no band below 36
  • LanguageCert: B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) High Pass, with at least 25/50 in each skill, and Spoken (S) Pass
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II, with at least Merit in each band

English language test scores must be achieved in a single test within the two years before enrolment.

Qualification Pathways

This course pathways into the first year of SIT’s Bachelor of Hotel Management. 

This means that New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management (Level 5) graduates can gain the Level 7 degree qualification by completing just two additional year's study - three semesters on campus in Invercargill, and one semester in an internship placement in the location of your choice.

Are you a domestic or international student?

By submitting this form, I agree to the Privacy Notice and consent to receiving email communications from Southern Institute of Technology and its business divisions about learning options, services, news and events.