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 Bachelor of Commerce second year pre-requisite papers for both financial and management accounting (compulsory).
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.
Course Content
Compulsory papers
At least 45 credits must be taken from the following list of papers
Balance of credits may be taken from the following list of papers (Up to 15 credits)
If a Level 5 paper is selected it must be taken before relevant Level 6 and 7 papers.
Career Opportunities
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.
Satisfactory Completion
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.
Expected July 2025
Southern Institute of Technology
Invercargill Campus,
133 Tay Street,
INVERCARGILL,
Invercargill Central,
9810, New Zealand
Applicants must have obtained at least an undergraduate degree in any discipline or be a mature student aged at least 20 years and supply evidence of at least three years relevant work experience. Each mature applicant must provide their curriculum vitae detailing any relevant work experience and academic achievements. The Programme Manager will use this information to assess whether the applicant is likely to successfully complete the graduate diploma programme.
English language requirement:
IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE)
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18)
Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill.
OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic)
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42
Language Cert - C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS
Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.