The Postgraduate Certificate in Business (PGCertBus) is designed to enable students to begin to develop, or develop highly focused, subject-specific and generic skills sought after by employers globally. The degree is an entry pathway to the PGDipBus. The PGCertBus normally requires one semester (5 months) of full-time, or equivalent part-time, study. It offers specialisation in a variety of subjects that are completed through a series of taught papers. These papers are a mix of those that are generic to the Business School and those that are specific to subject specialisations.
The normal admission requirement is a degree with a minimum grade of B, though some subjects require more specific student backgrounds.
Ready to apply?
If this is the qualification for you, get started with your application today.
Programme details
Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Business (PGCertBus)
Admission to the Programme
Every applicant must have been awarded a bachelor's degree with an average grade of at least B or have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce).
In addition to clause 1(a) applicants seeking admission to the subject of:
Accounting and Finance must hold a bachelor's degree with a sciences or quantitative focus
Economics must hold a bachelor's degree including both econometrics and mathematical economics
Finance must hold a bachelor’s degree with a sciences or quantitative focus
Philosophy, Politics and Economics must hold either a bachelor’s degree with a major in the interdisciplinary subject of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE); or, alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in any subject and have completed the equivalent of 300-level study (at least one paper) in each of three fields: Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce).
Subjects of Study
The certificate may be awarded in any of the subjects for the degree of Master of Business listed in the Master of Business Schedule or may be awarded in the subject of Sustainable Business. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce), the certificate may be awarded without a named subject.
Structure of the Programme
The programme of study
shall consist of approved 400- and 500-level papers, to the value of 60 points, selected from the papers specified in the coursework option within the Master of Business schedule for the subject concerned, or shall consist of approved 400- and 500-level papers, to the value of 60-points, selected from papers specified in the coursework option of the Master of Sustainable Business schedule
may, with the approval of the Head of Department or Programme Coordinator concerned, include papers worth up to 20 points from 400-and 500-level papers other than those specified in the Master of Business schedule for the subject concerned or the Master of Sustainable Business schedule.
Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions
Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements for prerequisites, corequisites, and restrictions set out on the Prescriptions (published in the Guide to Enrolment).
Duration of the Programme
A candidate for the certificate shall normally follow a programme of study for one semester of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
Certificate in a Second Subject
A student who has obtained the certificate in one subject may become a candidate for the certificate in any other subject.
Level of Award of Certificate
The certificate may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
World-class research
The University of Otago has a global reputation for research excellence. Our expertise is vast across health, society, culture, sustainability and the environment.