Diploma in Hospitality Management
Combining practical business training with real-world industry experience. QRC’s Level 6 Diploma in Hospitality Management enables students to develop the confidence, professionalism and management skills needed to build careers with leading hotels, luxury resorts, restaurants, lodges and other hospitality businesses in New Zealand and around the world.
Course Duration
21 Months
Course Level
NZQF Level 6
Next Intakes
January, April, July, October
Internship
9 months, fully paid across Terms 3 and 4
Qualification
NZ Diploma in Hotel Management
Degree Pathway
Progress to a bachelor's degree
2027 Prospectus Graduate outcomes, degree pathways, fees, and what to expect at QRC.
Overview
Study Hospitality Management in New Zealand
Hospitality is one of the world’s most people-driven industries, and the best hotels, resorts and restaurants are built on exceptional management. QRC’s internationally recognised Level 6 Diploma in Hospitality Management blends practical training with business theory, founded on Swiss standards of service excellence. With a nine-month paid internship and valuable industry connections built in Queenstown, you’ll graduate multi-skilled, experienced and ready to make your mark in the industry.
What makes QRC different
In Queenstown, hospitality is more than an industry, it is part of everyday life. You’ll study surrounded by leading operators, build valuable professional connections and learn in an environment where QRC graduates are internationally recognised and sought after by employers.
World-class learning environment
QRC’s internationally recognised hospitality programme combines practical training with business theory and Swiss standards of service excellence. Studying in Queenstown also helps students build valuable industry connections and prepare for careers in hospitality and hotel management.
Small classes. Big support.
QRC classes are small by design, giving you more personalised support from tutors who know your name, understand your goals and are invested in where your future.
Students progress and wellbeing are supported throughout your time at QRC, so challenges are identified early and you are never left to navigate them alone. Pastoral care, academic support, internship guidance and career advice work together to help you stay on track and make the most of every opportunity.
Pastoral care
Dedicated support for your wellbeing, helping you feel supported both inside and outside the classroom.
Academic support
Strong academic support to help you work through challenges, build confidence in your learning and stay on track.
Internship guidance
Dedicated support from the Internship Team, from preparing for placement through to completing your 9-month internship and returning to QRC.
Your room is sorted
All diploma students are guaranteed a place in QRC's Halls of Residence. Secure, comfortable, and right in Queenstown — accommodation is one less thing to think about before you arrive.
Course Outline
What you'll study
Each stage of the programme builds your skills, confidence and industry experience. You’ll begin by learning the foundations, develop practical and operational expertise, then put it all into action during a nine-month paid internship. Returning to QRC with real-world experience, you’ll strengthen your leadership and business capabilities before graduating.
Term 1 – Hospitality Foundations
Build a strong understanding of hospitality operations, professional standards and the expectations of the industry.
Term 2 – Practical and Operational Skills
Develop hands-on skills across key hospitality areas while building the knowledge needed to succeed in a professional workplace.
Terms 3 & 4 – Nine-Month Paid Internship
Complete minimum 1,000 hours of paid employment with a hotel, resort or hospitality business, putting your learning into practice and building valuable industry experience.
Term 5 – Hospitality Operations and Business Development
Return to QRC to strengthen your knowledge of marketing, rooms division, operational management and business practices, with opportunities to specialise through selected electives.
Term 6 – Leadership and Business Management
Build expertise in finance, economics, hospitality law and people management, then bring your learning together through a hotel management simulation.
Graduate
Qualified, experienced and connected to industry.
Year 1
Build the foundations the industry runs on.
Term one covers the fundamentals. Tourism, IT, communication, cultural intelligence, food and beverage service, and hospitality regulations. Practical and theoretical, side by side. You'll spend approximately 32 hours per week on campus.
Go deeper into the business of hospitality.
Term two moves into the operational and commercial side — accounting, marketing, food production, hotel operations, and contemporary food and beverage management. You'll also choose your specialist elective to start developing depth in an area that interests you.
Elective: Students choose either Wine Studies or Events in Term 2. Subject to minimum numbers.
Nine months in the real world.
Your internship is the centrepiece of the programme. You'll work in a hotel, resort, or hospitality business as a real employee for a minimum of 1,000 hours. Everything from Terms 1 and 2 gets applied here.
Year 2
Back at QRC with real experience behind you.
Term five builds directly on your internship. You'll revisit the industry through a management lens — rooms division, hospitality operations, cost control, and your elective at Level 6. Nine months in industry changes how you see everything.
The skills that take you to the top.
The final term is about becoming a manager who can run a hospitality business — not just work in one. Law, HR, economics, managerial accounting, sales and marketing, and the Capstone Hotel Strategy Simulation bring everything together.
Graduates are awarded the New Zealand Diploma in Hotel Management (Level 6).
Pick your specialisation.
In Term 2, you'll choose an elective — Wine Studies or Events. You'll take it again in Term 5 building real depth in a specialist area that can shape the direction of your career.
*Subject to minimum numbers.
Your diploma opens doors worldwide
Build on your QRC diploma through established degree pathways in New Zealand and overseas. Eligible graduates may receive credit for previous study, allowing them to complete a bachelor’s degree in less time, with some pathways requiring as little as seven months of additional study.
Outcomes
QRC graduates are the industry's first choice.
QRC develops highly skilled, qualified and ambitious hospitality professionals who stand out to employers. With practical experience, international service standards and strong industry connections behind them, our graduates are well prepared to contribute, progress and build successful careers across the hospitality sector.
Most students are offered a full-time role by their internship employer by the time they graduate.
Your hospitality career can go further than you think.
“We have been working with QRC for over 11 years now, taking both graduates and students working on their internships. The calibre of young people that QRC turns out never ceases to amaze me in that they are already well versed in hospitality lore, well dressed with excellent manners, personable and interested. If you are looking for a career in hotels/hospitality I suggest that the QRC Hospitality course is an excellent place to start.”
“The skills, confidence and industry connections I have gained during my time at QRC have been invaluable. I am leaving with numerous career opportunities, life-long friends and an excitement for my future in the hospitality industry.”
Entry Requirements
Who can apply?
All applicants are interviewed as part of the admissions process.
All applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age at course commencement. Some discretion applies for domestic enrolments.
NCEA Level 2 with 48 credits at Level 2 or above across four approved subjects, plus literacy and numeracy. Equivalent Australian (VCE/ATAR 50+), Cambridge (CIE) and International Baccalaureate qualifications are also accepted.
International applicants must meet the equivalent academic standard and demonstrate English language proficiency. See our international requirements page for full details. https://www.qrc.ac.nz/international-students/
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be granted where your prior study or work experience is considered to be equivalent to all the learning outcomes for a particular QRC paper.
Students are required to supply their own laptop computer for the duration of the programme.
Ready to apply?
We review every application individually. If you're not sure whether you meet the requirements, our admissions team is here to help.
The industry expects professionalism. We build it in.
At QRC, professional excellence goes beyond technical knowledge. Students are expected to demonstrate the attitude, presentation and conduct required in leading hospitality and tourism workplaces.
Our Professional Excellence system helps students build strong habits around attendance, punctuality, personal presentation, courtesy, honesty and respect. Alongside QRC’s professional uniform standards, it encourages students to take responsibility for their personal brand and prepares them to enter the industry with confidence.
How the PE system works
Each student begins the term with 100 Professional Excellence points. Points may be deducted when professional standards are not met, including for unexplained absences, lateness or inappropriate conduct.
Students whose points fall below the required standard meet with their Programme Leader or Academic Director to discuss support, expectations and a plan for improvement. Ongoing concerns may affect a student’s ability to continue in the programme.
Full details of the Professional Excellence system are outlined in the programme handbook.
Look the part from day one
All students will be provided with a uniform which reflects the highest industry standards. For Hospitality Management students this is a professional business suit and includes:
- 1 business jacket
- 2 pairs of trousers/skirt
- 1 jumper or vest
- 3 blouses/shirts
- 1 tie
- 1 scarf (optional)
- 1 name badge
Smart black business shoes to be supplied by the student, along with black socks or stockings in black or natural colour.
Internships
Putting Theory into Practice.
The nine-month, fully paid internship is central to QRC’s Hospitality Management Diploma and creates a seamless transition from study into graduate employment. It is not work experience added onto the programme; it is where the knowledge and practical skills developed in your first two terms are applied in a real role with a real employer.
Across a minimum of 1,000 hours, you’ll gain hands-on industry experience, build professional confidence and learn to work to industry standards. You’ll strengthen your ability to manage yourself, contribute effectively within a team, analyse workplace policies and processes, and use proven industry practices to solve real problems. By the time you return to QRC, you’ll have the experience and professional maturity needed to take the next step in your career.
“My internship helped me decide where I could see myself in the future working in hospitality. I was part of the opening team to bring the brand new luxury Sofitel in Adelaide to life, which was an entirely new and exciting experience for me!”
Work where it matters to you.
Strong placements start with strong preparation. QRC’s Internship Team supports you through every stage, from refining your CV and preparing for interviews to practicing with industry partners and building the confidence to present yourself professionally.
With extensive knowledge of the sector and its employers, the Internship team helps connect you with opportunities that align with your strengths, goals and career direction, so you begin your internship prepared to contribute, learn and make the most of the experience.
Internships connect students with leading industry operators in an environment where tourism and hospitality are part of everyday life. This gives them the opportunity to contribute in a real workplace, build valuable connections and become active members of the industry.
Flexible start dates
Our students are employed for a minimum of 9 months and are required to achieve a minimum of 1,000 hours of work before they return to QRC for their second year. Flexibility for shorter or longer periods can be agreed upon discussion with all parties.
Students complete a fully paid internship of at least nine months and 1,000 hours before returning to QRC for Terms Five and Six. Where needed, start and finish dates may be adjusted in consultation with the student, employer and QRC Internship Team.
Work as a genuine member of the team in a real industry role- Apply for positions and complete the employer’s recruitment process
- Follow workplace policies, procedures and professional standards
- Represent yourself and QRC professionally throughout your internship
- Build the skills, experience and connections that may lead to future opportunities
- A role with meaningful responsibilities
- Receive practical training and real workplace experience
- Have ongoing guidance, feedback and support
- Exposure to different departments, career paths and workplace challenges
- Paid work to help offset study and living costs
- A final performance report at the end of your internship
AJ Hackett Bungy, Queenstown
"My time here at AJ Hackett is summed up by the fact that I actually don't enjoy my days off, as I would rather be at work with my friends having a fantastic time."
"AJ Hackett is synonymous with Adventure Tourism around the world, and I am lucky enough to be working as part of the team here in Queenstown. I am training to eventually be responsible for the final launch of people off the bridge and I cannot wait! Being qualified in New Zealand as a Jump Master means I can work for AJ Hackett all over the world. AJ Hackett currently employ 24 QRC students; both interns and graduates. I love that my team leaders and managers are QRC graduates and have taken on a mentoring role for me and other interns.
My time here at AJ Hackett is summed up by the fact that I actually don't enjoy my days off, as I would rather be at work with my friends having a fantastic time. Risk and safety management is a huge part of what we do here - the Risk Management and Operations Management papers I completed in Terms 1 & 2 at QRC provided me with the skills and understanding to deal with the realities of the industry.
My goal once I complete my Diploma is to return to work here at AJ Hackett and progress through to a Management level. It is such an exciting company with global development possibilities."
"My role here at AJ Hackett Bungy is working within the operations team as a Junior Jump Operator. I get to experience all aspects of the Bungy operation from start to finish, including customer service, making sure our customers are harnessed up and connected to the Bungy, then collecting them in the raft at the bottom once they have gone through with their jump!"
International
Study hospitality where the world checks in.
Queenstown welcomes visitors from every corner of the globe, and at QRC, the town becomes your classroom. Our internationally recognised Level 6 Diploma combines small-class learning, practical business training and Swiss-inspired standards of service excellence with a nine-month paid internship.
You’ll graduate with at least 1,000 hours of real industry experience, valuable professional connections and the confidence and management skills to build a hospitality career in New Zealand or around the world.
Earn while you learn
Complete a nine-month, fully paid internship with a New Zealand hospitality employer and gain at least 1,000 hours of professional experience.
Supported from day one
Receive personalised teaching, academic support and internship guidance from tutors and staff who know your goals.
Your Queenstown home is sorted
A place in QRC’s centrally located halls of residence is guaranteed before you leave home.
Take your study further
Eligible graduates can continue to the University of Otago Bachelor of Entrepreneurship in Queenstown or explore degree pathways in Australia and Switzerland. Post study work rights may be available.
Fees
Course Costs
Below are the 2026 domestic fees for the Adventure Tourism Management Diploma. For international student fees, click here.
Your 9-month internship is fully paid - at least minimum wage - helping offset the cost of your study while you gain world-class experience.
*Tuition fees are subject to annual increases. Fees include course-related costs: uniform, use of specialised equipment, textbooks, printing and data allowance, practical class costs, and familiarisation visits.
- $500 held as an Accommodation Bond if staying in Halls of Residence (refundable at end of stay)
- $200 applied as an administrative placement charge for Halls 1 month prior to course start
Additional course and service costs may apply during your study. Get in touch with our team for a full breakdown of general fees.
Build a career in hospitality
or adventure tourism.
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21 Months
Hospitality Management
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Level 6
21 Months
Adventure Tourism Management
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Tutors who know your name, your goals, and how to get you there.
Guaranteed accommodation for all diploma students.
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Download the Full 2027 Info Pack
Please fill out the form to receive a copy of our full prospectus with graduate outcomes, degree pathways, fees, and what to expect at QRC.
Contact Us
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