Course details

Summary

Postgraduate certificates provide the opportunity for continuing professional development in the same area as an original degree. A postgraduate diploma can often lead to a master's degree.

Postgraduate certificates are available to graduates who wish to build on an earlier degree, and who have appropriate practical, professional or scholarly experience. Some are available only on a part time basis. Waikato University offers specialist postgraduate certificates as well as postgraduate certificates.

Strategic Management

Strategic Management enables you to discern a company's potential, find new market opportunities, and develop a clear plan to achieve growth and success.

Strategy is at the top level of management. It considers the 'total enterprise' to ensure all of an organisation's resources are being managed effectively as a cohesive unit.

In this subject, you'll learn how to think critically about a company's situation and devise strategies to improve future performance. You'll develop an eye for emerging threats and opportunities, such as new competitors or changing consumer trends, and keeping pace with legislative or market changes.

You'll also analyse practical case studies about real-world companies to help you to develop your analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills, which are in high demand with employers.

In your third year, as part of the capstone paper STMG391, you'll take part in the Waikato Management School Case Competition. Working in teams, you'll develop a business growth strategy for a real New Zealand company, aimed at boosting the firm's long-term revenue and profits. Previous companies that have taken part have included the likes of Jucy Rental, Nice Blocks ice cream, Tainui Group Holdings Ltd, and Yealands winery.

As a team, you'll carry out in-depth research to identify the major issues and challenges facing the firm over the next five years, and how best to leverage its strengths to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. You could be part of the winning team that takes home a monetary prize of $2,500.

Career opportunities

• Managing director / CEO
• Management consultant
• Business development manager
• Business analyst / consultant
• Business manager
• General manager
• New venture consultant

Entry criteria

A recognized bachelor’s degree with a B/B+ grade average. You must also have a major in the relevant subject area with a B/B+ grade average.

English language requirements:

IELTS - 6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in writing); iBT (internet based TOFEL) - 90 with a score of 22 in writing; Pearson PTE Academic- 65 with English language requirements no less than 58 for each communicative skill; From Waikato Pathways College - Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic (CAAE) programme.