New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management (Level 5)
This programme will enable you to gain the skills and attributes you need to tackle junior/trainee, supervisor or team leader roles across a range of hospitality sectors such as restaurants, bars, cafes, accommodation/hotels or catering.
Domestic
Enquire now for 2026
Unfortunately, we're not running this programme in 2025. Please email our Hospitality programme administrator, sylvia.gilkinson@op.ac.nz to express your interest in our 2026 intake.
About the programme
Want to work in a hospitality management role?
Gain the skills and attributes you need to tackle junior/trainee, supervisor, or team leader roles across a range of hospitality sectors such as restaurants, bars, cafés, accommodation/hotels, or catering. Our on-site training kitchen, café, and restaurant will provide the perfect environment for you to gain hands-on, practical experience so you can build work-ready skills.
You will graduate from this programme as a highly capable individual with a standard of professional practice that will enhance your employment opportunities. You will be able to confidently and competently provide for the needs of your customers. In addition, you will be able to work independently in a variety of hospitality environments with some responsibility for the management and learning of others.
International
Enquire now for 2026
Unfortunately, we're not running this programme in 2025. Please email our Hospitality programme administrator, sylvia.gilkinson@op.ac.nz to express your interest in our 2026 intake.
About the programme
Want to work in a hospitality management role?
Gain the skills and attributes you need to tackle junior/trainee, supervisor, or team leader roles across a range of hospitality sectors such as restaurants, bars, cafés, accommodation/hotels, or catering. Our on-site training kitchen, café, and restaurant will provide the perfect environment for you to gain hands-on, practical experience so you can build work-ready skills.
You will graduate from this programme as a highly capable individual with a standard of professional practice that will enhance your employment opportunities. You will be able to confidently and competently provide for the needs of your customers. In addition, you will be able to work independently in a variety of hospitality environments with some responsibility for the management and learning of others.
What You Study
Courses
Your learning will include how to manage facilities, inventory, and supplies; how to monitor and maintain operations and staffing; and how to plan budgets and rosters. In addition, you will discover sales and promotion techniques and how to market a service product.
The programme will be offered full-time over the course of one year. You'll study seven courses.
First semester
The following courses are studied in the order they are listed.
- Introduction to Hospitality Management
- Marketing Fundamentals and Finance
- Human Resources.
Second semester
The following courses are studied in the order they are listed.
- Operational Management and Work Experience
- Applied Management in Action.
Work experience
In addition, work experience runs through part of the second semester.
This structure allows you to take your learning from the classroom and to apply it in a work-based context within Otago Polytechnic's commercial operations and within industry placements. You will compare/contrast your class learning to your workplace learning, implement the skills you have learned, and reflect on their progress. This will help cement your newly acquired skills into lifelong learning patterns that will help you to succeed in the workplace.
Health and safety
There are a number of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) issues associated with practical work in areas specific to a commercial kitchen, café, and restaurant environment. These include, but are not limited to, burns from hot liquids or hot objects and cuts from sharp instruments.
Alcohol tasting and consumption may be a risk for some individuals. In compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, parental consent for alcohol consumption as tastings in line with curriculum specifications must be obtained if you are under 18 years of age. Risks will be outlined in more detail during the programme.
Please note: Consumption of alcohol is NOT a compulsory part of the course and other methods of identifying and obtaining knowledge of products can easily be employed on request.
Entry
Entry requirements
- NCEA Level 2 OR equivalent.
- We also prefer that you have one of the following:
- a relevant hospitality qualification at Level 4, OR
- two years' relevant work experience.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for a list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Additional requirements
You must supply certified copies of proof of identity and proof of residency (where appropriate).
Please include your academic records with your application (English translations required if not in English):
- For those attending secondary school or recent school leavers - NCEA results or equivalent. If still at secondary school, please also list what subjects you are studying this year and at what level.
- For other applicants - copies of relevant results and/or qualifications.
If you have not completed a relevant Level 4 Hospitality qualification, you also need to provide:
- A CV detailing your qualifications/academic records, your interests and hobbies, and details of your work experience.
- A cover letter (max. 500 words) which explains:
- why you have chosen to study for this Diploma
- your expectations of the programme
- your career goals in the hospitality industry
- the steps you have already taken to progress your career goals to improve your chances of being accepted into the programme.
You may also have to undertake an interview.
Selection process
If the number of applicants who meet the requirements exceeds the available places, a waitlist will be used to ensure preference is given to applicants in the order that they applied.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
During your induction day, you have the opportunity to purchase your full uniform from Otago Polytechnic's preferred supplier. You should expect to spend approximately $100 on programme-specific equipment. This will be covered by the 'Course-Related Costs' section of your student loan (if you are eligible - see Student Loans and Allowances section below) . You may already have some or all of the required uniform and equipment.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
