Program Overview

Bachelor of Applied Management

Overview

Gain specialist skills to make your mark in business. This flexible degree will prepare you to succeed in business by equipping you with widely applicable, real-world knowledge and skills. You’ll develop your ability to think critically and strategically and gain valuable skills in your chosen area of business.

What will I study

In your first year, you’ll develop a depth of business knowledge and skills required for any commercial context. This includes skills in management, leadership, accounting, marketing, HR, law, economics, and sustainability, as well as knowledge of Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Then in your second year, you’ll choose a specialisation to suit your desired career. You can also choose a second specialisation, five elective courses, or go on a student exchange programme.

Your final year of study involves more complex critical and strategic thinking skills. You’ll do a work placement and put your learning to the test. Through a practical project with a real-world organisation, you’ll address a business problem or advance a business opportunity for that organisation. On successful completion, you’ll have real-life work experience to add to your CV.

Pathway

Flexibility has been built into this degree, allowing you to not only study part-time, full-time, and/or in the evenings but to also choose two specialisations at no extra cost and without additional time. Alternatively, you can personalise your degree by including up to five elective courses from any subject of your choosing or pathway from the New Zealand Diploma in Business and complete the degree in just two years (full-time).

Details

• Type: Degree
• Code: CH3988
• Application close date: Received all year
• May be available for Study Visa?: Yes
• International application close date: PLEASE ENQUIRE
• Credits: 360
• Level: 7
• May be eligible for Studylink?: Yes
• May be eligible for Fees Free?: Yes
• Reference: CH3988-GENE

Fees for 2025

• Domestic Fee: $7,630 - $8,540 per year
• International Fee: $26,000 per year
• Indicative Student Services Fee: $370.50 per year
• Valid To: December 31, 2025

Academic Requirements

• University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) which must include 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects and:
  • Literacy*: 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing
  • Numeracy*: 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)
• OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) Ara Business and ICT Pathway or equivalent

Alternative Requirements

Still want to study but don't meet the Academic Requirements?

If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work, and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry.

English Requirements

What if English is not my first Language?

If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study.

• Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives
• English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
• If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
• If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, book an IELTS or other test through the Ara Examination Centre or in your home country.
• IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
• What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance?
• You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills.
• Overall IELTS 6.0 Academic
  • 5.5 Listening
  • 5.5 Reading
  • 5.5 Writing
  • 5.5 Speaking

Funding Assistance

If you face unexpected financial hardship during your studies, we have several funds that you can apply for. These are designed to enable you to continue your current course of study. We also have a wide range of scholarships and awards that can provide financial assistance.

Core Courses

• Level 5
  • Introduction to Accounting and Taxation
  • Applied Accounting
  • Analysis of Financial Information
  • Budgets for Planning and Control
  • Commercial Law
  • Economics
  • Employability Skills and Experience
  • Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context
  • Business Environments
  • Business Functions
  • Change and Innovation
  • Introduction to Leadership
  • Operations Management and Compliance
  • Business Planning
  • Managing Projects
  • Introduction to Marketing
  • Buyer Behaviour
  • Introduction to Digital Marketing
  • Sales and Relationship Management
• Level 6
  • Intermediate Management Accounting
  • Intermediate Financial Accounting
  • Taxation in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Introduction to Finance
  • Data Analytics
  • Law of Business Entities
  • Research Methods
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Applied Employment Law
  • Business-to-Business Sales and Marketing
  • Customer Engagement
  • Event Planning and Management
  • Global Challenges; Sustainable Futures
  • Health, Safety and Wellbeing Leadership
  • IT Service Management
  • Introduction to Enterprise Intelligence and Analytics
  • Integrated Marketing Communications
  • Marketing Planning and Control
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Operations Management
  • Principles of Leadership
  • Project Management
  • Strategic Planning for Small Business
  • Special Topic Level 6
• Level 7
  • Advanced Management Accounting
  • Advanced Financial Accounting
  • Auditing and Assurance
  • Professional Accounting Project
  • Contemporary Issues in Marketing Practice
  • Co-operative Education Project
  • Critical Reflection on Work
  • Event Marketing and Sponsorship
  • Event Project
  • Industry Project
  • Preparation for Work Placement
  • Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management
  • International Marketing
  • Information Technology Governance
  • Enterprise Intelligence and Analytics
  • Product Development
  • Advanced Project Management
  • Resource Integration Management
  • Contemporary Issues in Supply Chain and Logistics Management
  • Strategic Human Resources Value
  • Strategic Management
  • Special Topic Level 7
  • Business Transformation and Change

Career Opportunities

A business qualification enables you to work in a variety of industries and roles. Depending on the specialisation, career avenues include: accountancy, business analysis, project management, change management, event management, hospitality management, human resources, health and safety, marketing and sales, operations and production management, strategic management, supply chain and logistics management, to name a few.

Study Pathways

Ara offers a range of graduate diplomas in a variety of business specialisations. Alternatively, you could pathway to a Masters qualification.

Recommended School Subjects

• English
• Maths

Specialisations

• Business Information Systems
• Event Management
• Human Resources
• Marketing and Sales
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Operations and Production Management
• Project Management
• Supply Chain Logistics
• Strategic Management
• Hospitality Management
• Tourism Management
• Business Transformation and Change

Credit Recognition

If you have prior relevant experience or previous related study credits, you may be eligible for credit recognition towards this qualification.