Become a future leader
Our New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management (NZQA Level 5) is perfect if you are seeking an entry point into the Hotel and Hospitality industry. It is designed to equip you with essential skills and knowledge, our programme paves the way for a seamless entry into the Hotel Industry.
As part of this comprehensive journey, you'll engage in a 6-month industry placement, gaining invaluable hands-on experience.
Looking to continue your educational journey? Our diploma seamlessly integrates with the second year of the Bachelor of Applied Hotel Management programme, opening doors to further academic excellence.
Terms and Conditions do apply when taking a pathway to our Degree.
How this programme can help you?
Learn by doing in our fully operational Hotel Campus
Gain an understanding of how the Food and Beverage department operates within the hotel campus. You will not be sitting in a lecture hall all day, part of your training is operational and hands on. Our restaurants and kitchen are your classrooms.
This operational training is essential to ensure you have the right experience to become a success and get your dream job.
Business and management
Being a hotel, hospitality or tourism professional means assessing different situations and making decisions quickly, ensuring the best possible experience for your guests.
The PIHMS diploma will prepare you with the latest business/management practices allowing you to create an environment that provides an exceptional experience for your guests. Many of the skills, including; leadership, communication, critical thinking, analytical and marketing can be used in many different businesses in New Zealand and globally.
Guaranteed paid hotel jobs*
As part of our diploma programme, we find you a guaranteed hotel job. We call this our Paid Industry Placement.
You get paid while you study and you will graduate with a superior qualification and valuable work experience. You will also make many industry contacts, benefiting you significantly in your future career.
Travel
For those with the travel bug - the hotel, tourism and hospitality industry will allow you to travel and work at the same time!
Don’t wait until you graduate. Travel while you study on your Paid Industry Placement*
Lecturers who help you succeed
You will get to know our experienced, knowledgeable and friendly lecturers as mentors helping shape your future. They are dedicated and committed to your success.
Ask a question or call 0800 100 331
Intake dates
Enrolment Dates 2026
- 26th January 2026
- 6th July 2026
Enrolment Dates 2027
- 25th January 2027
- 12th July 2027
Length
1 year full-time
Vacation dates
2026
- 11th April 2026 - 19th April 2026
- 27th June 2026 - 12th July 2026
- 19th September 2026 - 4th October 2026
- 12th December 2026 - 31st January 2027
2027
- 10th April 2027 - 18th April 2027
- 26th June 2027 - 11th July 2027
- 18th September 2027 - 3rd October 2027
- 11th December 2027 - 7th February 2028
2028
- 15th April 2028 - 23rd April 2028
- 1st July 2028 - 16th July 2028
- 23rd September 2028 - 8th October 2028
- 16th December 2028 - 7th February 2029
Entry criteria
All applicants are interviewed. Students under 17.5 will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Students are required to have NCEA Level 2 or equivalent international qualifications.
International students will require an IELTS of 5.5 with no band score below 5.0, or equivalent English Language score.
Learn more about the entry criteria for this Diploma here
New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management Level 5
Course structure
Business Studies and Operational Training is taught concurrently over 20 weeks.
Business Studies
- Departmental Finances
- Introduction to Hotel Management
- Introduction to Hotel Marketing Landscape
- Hotel Administrative Practices
Operational Training
Food and Beverage:
- Customer Service Management
- Food Service Management
Learn about PIHMS food and beverage facilities
Paid Industry Placement (4-5 months)*
Food and Beverage roles include:
- Food and Beverage Attendant
- Banqueting Attendant
- Food and Beverage / Barista
- Food and Beverage / Bartender
- Food and Beverage/ Mini Bar
How does this course help my future career?
A qualification that makes you a success
PIHMS is the only institute in New Zealand where you can gain a diploma whilst training in an actual simulated hotel and get two guaranteed paid hotel jobs.
Graduate with the right skills, knowledge and experience that employer’s need, for you to succeed. Learn more about graduation
Get your dream tourism, hotel or hospitality job
96% of PIHMS students receive employment within 3 months of graduating from PIHMS.
Have a great career
83% of PIHMS Degree graduates receive a promotion within one year of graduating.
Where can I go?
PIHMS graduates have great careers and lifestyles earning good income. There are endless career pathways in NZ and globally:
- Hotel Management
- Event Management
- Destination Tourism
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Revenue Management
- Food and Beverage Management
- Front Office Management
- Business Operations
- Sales and Conferencing
- Air Travel
- Cruise Ships
- Start your own restaurant/business
Or maybe you want to make the best coffee anywhere in the world, from Dunedin to Hawaii!
Further Study
Fast track your career into senior leadership positions
Complete further study at PIHMS by pathwaying to the PIHMS Bachelor of Hotel Management.
Your Diploma grade average must be a minimum of B- (65-69% scale).
- Learn more about our Bachelor of Hotel Management
Life at the PIHMS Campus
Student life
Student life is all about working hard to set up your career and future life, but most importantly enjoying yourself while doing it.
Live, study and learn all in the same place at PIHMS hotel campus. It is the perfect hub to stay connected with other students and make life-long friends.
Accommodation
For the diploma programme its compulsory to live on site. Students are the guests of our PIHMS hotel campus and are an essential part of our operational training.
- Learn more about PIHMS accommodation facilities
- See accommodation prices below
“It’s kind of like having 300 of your best mates living on the same street as you. I love it” – Richard Ear, degree student
'The skills I learned at PIHMS are highly transferrable. I’ve used them across many industries and sectors of business. But, I’ll always come back to Travel and Tourism. PIHMS has helped strengthen my emotional intelligence and leadership skills more than I know.'
Rush Pathak
Global Digital Manager - Tourism Fiji
New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management Fees
Domestic student fees
| Description | Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Administration fee | $750 |
| Tuition fees | $6,386 |
| Course related costs | $550 |
| PIHMS course related costs | $1,556 |
| Total tuition and course fees payable to PIHMS | $9,242 |
Learn more about funding your studies through StudyLink and scholarship opportunities.
Fees Free website, www.ird.govt.nz/fees-free .
International student fees (NZD)
| Description | Level 5 |
|---|---|
| Administration fee | $750 |
| Tuition (inc gst) | $22,000 |
| Course related costs | $550 |
| PIHMS course related costs | $1,556 |
| Health Insurance | $930 |
| Total tuition and course fees payable to PIHMS | $25,786 |
Accommodation and Meals
Accommodation and Meal Prices - Twin Share
| Description |
Year 1 (21 weeks) |
Year 2 (21 weeks) |
Year 3 (40 weeks**) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin share per week | $335 | $335 | $330** |
| Twin share total | $7,035 | $7,035 | $13,200 |
Accommodation and Meal Prices - Single Room*
| Description |
Year 1 (21 weeks) |
Year 2 (21 weeks) |
Year 3 (40 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single room per week | $435 | $435 | $430 |
| Single room total | $9,135 | $9,135 | $17,200 |
The accommodation price includes all meals seven days a week, bedding / towels and free Wi-Fi. Learn more about PIHMS accommodation here.
*Single rooms are subject to availability.
**This rate is based on a 40 weeks stay. $430 single room per week.