Course details

Summary

Our continuous exposure to advertising and sales pitches leads us to believe that marketing activities begin only when goods or services have been produced. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Marketing is concerned with the analysis of customer needs and securing information needed to design and produce goods or services that match buyer expectations.

Strategic research methods, advertising and promotion, merchandising, sales, and management of products and services are utilised in the process, which applies to profit-oriented firms as well as not-for-profit organisations.

The Graduate Diploma in Commerce offers students an opportunity to complement and extend their undergraduate studies with further study in commerce subject. It is ideal for those who wish to transition into postgraduate study and is also suitable for graduates with a non-commerce degree who have an interest or career goals in any of these areas.

Recommended preparation

There are no formal requirements for those wishing to study Marketing. An interest in human behaviour and social sciences such as psychology, sociology, political science and education is advantageous.

Good communication skills, both written and interpersonal, are important. Those who have studied English-rich subjects eg, English, classics, media studies to an advanced level at school will benefit from the skills they have developed.

Qualification structure and duration

Graduate Diploma in Commerce (GradDipCom) students is required to pass at least 120 points from courses at 200 or 300-level from the Bachelor of Commerce. Of these, 75 points must be at 300-level including 60 points in a single subject of the diploma.

The flexible structure means students can tailor their programme according to their immediate needs and career goals.

Further study

Students will graduate having obtained advanced knowledge in their subject of choice, which will enable them to progress into a research-based postgraduate qualification in this area if they wish. UC offers a range of master's qualifications and the Doctor of Philosophy.

Career opportunities

The marketing and business skills acquired at UC are relevant globally. A Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing will open the door to an exciting, varied and fast-paced career in anything from advertising and promotion, brand management, product management, market research, retail management, marketing and communications, strategic marketing, direct marketing and sales and merchandising. Most of these jobs require a mix of quantitative, communication and interpersonal skills.

Marketing careers provide a lot of variety, since the roles and functions of marketers are constantly evolving as the business environment changes and a huge number of industries and organisation types the world over require marketers.

Graduates may enter the profession as marketing executives, officers, assistants or coordinators, with good graduates progressing to advisors, specialists and managers within a few years. Many marketing-trained staff end up in senior organisational roles of senior manager, director, chief officer, president or working independently as a consultant.

Entry criteria

Graduate diplomas require a relevant bachelor's degree. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to ensure they are of an equivalent standard.

Acceptance for the programme will depend on the standard and relevance of previous studies. Candidates are expected to have attained at least a B+ GPA in their final year of undergraduate study. All candidates need to be approved by the Dean of Commerce.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.