About the programme
The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PGDBA) is an NZQF Level 8 programme at Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS) that delivers 120 credits of management study over 12 months of full-time learning. It is built from eight courses taken from the institute's own MBA degree.
The diploma is aimed at working managers who want to strengthen their skills without committing to a full MBA. Classes take place on Saturdays and Sundays, which lets students keep their jobs while studying. Graduate stories on the AIS site mention weekend teaching combined with exams held on weekday evenings.
Students complete four core courses — accounting for managers, decision support tools, management in a multicultural setting and marketing — plus four electives. Elective options cover economics and global trade, financial intelligence and financial risk, global strategy and leadership, operations and technology, supply chain and project management, and an introduction to business research. An internship worth 30 credits can replace two electives. Each study plan is agreed with the Academic Head of Programme to fit the student's background and career goals.
The PGDBA also works as a stepping stone: roughly six more months of study turn it into a full MBA. Former students describe practical, discussion-based classes, group work and presentations, and a multicultural cohort that helped them adjust to the New Zealand business environment.
Entry requirements
- English: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 79 with writing 21 (original test format only), or PTE Academic 58 with no band below 50, or NZCEL Level 5
- A bachelor's degree at least equivalent to a New Zealand pass, or a higher qualification such as a graduate diploma, honours degree or postgraduate diploma; alternatively a professional qualification approved by the Academic Board, possibly with a bridging programme
- At least two years of relevant full-time work experience, or a qualification in a cognate discipline — in that case the BUAD920 Internship must be included in the study plan
- Special Admission may be granted by the Academic Board
What you study
- ACCT801 Accounting for Managers (core)
- BUAD801 Decision Support Tools and Techniques (core)
- MGMT801 Management in a Multicultural Environment (core)
- MKTG801 Marketing and Enterprise (core)
- ECON802 Economics and Global Trade (elective)
- FINA802 Financial Intelligence and FINA903 Financial Risk Management (electives)
- MGMT904 Global Strategy and Leadership (elective)
- OPER903 Supply Chain and Project Management (elective)
- MKTG802 Strategic Marketing and MKTG903 Global Marketing (electives)
- BUAD920 Internship — counts as two electives (30 credits)
Careers after graduation
- Upskilling for current managers and team leaders
- Progression to the full MBA with about six months of further study
- Business development roles — one PGDBA graduate now works in business development in New Zealand
- Finance roles in New Zealand companies — AIS MBA-track graduates include a finance director and a revenue analyst
- Further academic study, up to a PhD in business
Post-study work visa
About 1 year
Depends on the qualification, the length of study and other Immigration New Zealand requirements.
This description is based on the official programme page, checked on 09/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the AIS website