For those interested in pursuing a career in management, the Bachelor of Applied Management in New Zealand provides an excellent opportunity. This degree focuses on practical business skills, equipping students with the tools they need to thrive in today’s dynamic global economy. In this blog, we’ll explore why pursuing a bachelor of applied management in New Zealand could be a transformative experience for international students on a New Zealand study visa.
What is a Bachelor of Applied Management?
The Bachelor of Applied Management is a specialized business degree designed to provide students with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in management. Unlike traditional business degrees that focus on theoretical concepts, the curriculum emphasizes real-world applications. Students are trained to tackle actual business challenges through case studies, industry projects, internships, and work placements, which significantly enhance their employability.
The degree typically covers a range of essential business topics, including:
- Business Strategy: Developing and implementing strategies to achieve organizational goals.
- Human Resource Management: Managing teams, recruiting talent, and resolving workplace conflicts.
- Marketing and Sales: Understanding consumer behaviour, developing marketing campaigns, and driving sales.
- Financial Management: Learning to manage company finances, budgeting, and financial analysis.
- Leadership and Organizational Behavior: Building leadership skills, understanding organizational structures, and managing teams effectively.
- Project Management: Gaining practical knowledge in planning, executing, and monitoring projects in various industries.
The emphasis is on equipping students on New Zealand student visa with the skills needed to address real business challenges, whether they choose to work in large corporations, startups, or even launch their businesses.
Bachelor of Applied Management (Level 7) in New Zealand
New Zealand is home to a number of high-ranking institutions that offer the Bachelor of Applied Management program. Here are some of the top universities where you can pursue this degree:
Bachelor of Applied Management Wintec
The Bachelor of Applied Management at Wintec offers an exciting opportunity for students who are passionate about making their mark in the world of business. Designed with a practical focus, the degree provides a flexible structure that equips students with a broad range of business skills and specialist knowledge in their chosen major. Students can choose from a variety of majors and elective modules, allowing them to tailor the program to their career goals while gaining essential work experience. Whether you choose to study full-time or part-time, this degree is designed to fit around personal and professional commitments, making it ideal for students with busy schedules.
The program incorporates real-world projects and collaborative opportunities, allowing students to work alongside industry professionals and students from other disciplines. This hands-on approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the challenges of the business world.
What You Will Learn: Practical Knowledge for Career Success
In the first year of the Bachelor of Applied Management, students will complete eight compulsory modules that lay the foundation for their business education. These modules cover key areas of business management, helping students build a solid understanding of core concepts before they specialise in their second and third years. Students on New Zealand study visa will then focus on their chosen major and take additional elective modules based on their interests.
In the final year of study, students participate in Applied Work Integrated Learning (AWIL), an essential component of the program. AWIL gives students the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world business environment, enhancing their employability by giving them hands-on experience and the chance to undertake a research project relevant to their field.
Majors and Specialisation Options
The Bachelor of Applied Management offers students the flexibility to specialise in one or two business areas. Some of the available majors include:
- Strategic Management: Focuses on developing long-term business strategies and understanding the complexities of organisational growth.
- Human Resource Management: Prepares students to manage personnel, build effective teams, and resolve workplace challenges.
- Operations and Production Management: Ideal for students interested in streamlining processes, improving production efficiency, and managing logistics.
- Supply Chain Logistics: Focuses on the management of goods and services, from production to final delivery, with an emphasis on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Real-World Learning: Applied Work Integrated Learning (AWIL)
One of the standout features of the Bachelor of Applied Management is the Applied Work Integrated Learning (AWIL) component, which takes place in the final year of the degree. During AWIL, students gain practical experience by working with industry professionals and applying the theories and concepts they have learned in the classroom to real business challenges. This experience not only enhances their skills but also significantly improves their employability after graduation.
Career Opportunities and Further Pathways
The Bachelor of Applied Management opens up a wide range of career opportunities across various sectors. Depending on their major, graduates can pursue roles such as:
- Human Resource Manager
- Management Consultant
- Public Administrator
- Sales Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Business Development Specialist
- Advertising and Marketing Expert
In addition to these career paths, the program provides graduates with the skills and experience necessary for further study or professional development in management. The hands-on learning approach, combined with the ability to specialise in specific business areas, makes the degree highly attractive to potential employers.
Design Factory NZ: A Unique Learning Opportunity
This unique experience allows students to work in multi-disciplinary teams on real-world challenges provided by industry partners. The module teaches problem-solving methodologies and allows students to prototype solutions for complex issues. By working with students on New Zealand student visa from various fields such as engineering, IT, media arts, and more, participants can develop essential skills in creativity, communication, and teamwork—skills highly valued in today’s workplace.
Bachelor of Applied Management NorthTec
The Bachelor of Applied Management at NorthTec offers an innovative and dynamic approach to learning, designed to equip students with the management skills necessary to succeed in today’s fast-paced business environment. This degree focuses on both operational and strategic levels of management, with a curriculum that adapts to the constantly evolving global and national business landscapes. Students will explore various factors influencing human behaviour in organizations, learn essential project and change management processes, and gain insights into developing and managing teams effectively. A key highlight of the program is the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world scenarios through industry projects, offering invaluable practical experience.
The degree is delivered in collaboration with six other Te Pūkenga subsidiaries across New Zealand, pooling resources, research, and expertise to ensure that students receive the latest in teaching and management practices. This collaborative approach ensures that NorthTec students benefit from the most current industry knowledge, helping them succeed in their careers.
Study Pathways: Building Foundations and Advancing Knowledge
The Bachelor of Applied Management program at NorthTec is structured into two key stages, starting with the foundational New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5), which aligns with the first year of the degree. Once students on New Zealand study visa complete the Level 5 diploma, they can seamlessly continue their studies into Year 2 and Year 3 of the Bachelor of Applied Management. At this stage, they can specialize in various management disciplines, with several majors available for in-depth study:
- Project Management: This specialization provides the skills to manage projects from initiation to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget. Students will also have the opportunity to join the New Zealand Project Management Institute and work towards professional certification.
- Leadership and Management: This major focuses on understanding the complexities of management processes, planning, and organizational leadership. Students will gain practical skills in motivating teams, managing workflows, and meeting legal and organizational requirements.
- Māori Enterprise: This unique major draws on Māori worldviews and traditional knowledge to offer principled-based business solutions. It is ideal for students interested in integrating Māori values into contemporary business practices, though it is open to anyone with an interest in Māori enterprise.
- Business Information Systems: Students specializing in this field will learn critical skills in e-commerce, web design, financial information systems, and programming—key competencies for navigating today’s tech-driven business world.
Employment and Career Pathways
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Applied Management, graduates will have acquired the skills and knowledge needed to apply management strategies at both operational and strategic levels across a variety of industries. The program prepares students on New Zealand study visa for a range of professional roles, including:
- Professionally Qualified Accountant
- Project Manager
- Business Consultant
- Strategic Manager
- Entrepreneur
- Event Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Chief Executive Officer
- Sales and Marketing Manager
- Human Resource Manager
- Hospitality and Government Roles
This broad range of career options is supported by the practical nature of the degree, with a focus on work readiness and real-world applications.
Entry Requirements
For international students on New Zealand student visa, applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. This is usually evidenced by an IELTS academic score of 6.0 (with no individual band score below 5.5) or an equivalent qualification from a recognized English proficiency test. Students may also be required to complete an internal English language assessment at NorthTec to confirm their proficiency.
What You Will Learn: Core Competencies for Business Success
The Bachelor of Applied Management program equips students with essential competencies for the modern business world, including:
- Communication: Skills for effective communication in interpersonal, group, and cross-cultural settings.
- Ethical Decision Making: The ability to think critically and address ethical issues in business.
- Problem-solving: Practical problem-solving abilities that contribute to organizational decision-making.
- Global Awareness: An understanding and respect for the diversity of the local and global business environment.
- Lifelong Learning: Developing skills for continuous learning beyond formal education to adapt to evolving business landscapes.
- Applied Knowledge: Students apply theoretical knowledge to real business projects, ensuring they are work-ready upon graduation.
Studying for a Bachelor of Applied Management in New Zealand offers international students a chance to gain practical, career-oriented skills in a welcoming and dynamic environment. With its focus on real-world learning, diverse career opportunities, and the ability to work while studying, New Zealand is an excellent choice for aspiring business leaders. If you’re ready to take the next step in your educational journey and launch a successful management career, consider applying for a program in New Zealand—where world-class education meets hands-on experience.
West Highlander Immigration
Apply for a bachelor of applied management for study in New Zealand through West Highlander Immigration. Their director is a Licensed Immigration Advisor and would help make your New Zealand education journey as smooth as possible.