Bachelor of Business
(CRICOS Course Code 0101271)

Program Aim

Program Level: Level 7

Program Credits: 360 credits

The Bachelor of Business programme is designed to produce graduates with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental business principles, combined with specialised expertise in their chosen field of Accounting, Management, or Information Systems. This programme aims to equip learners with critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities essential for addressing complex challenges in diverse business environments. Graduates will develop the technical and professional skills required to thrive in local and global markets, with a strong foundation in ethical practices, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable business operations. The programme fosters adaptability and innovation, preparing students to excel in dynamic industries by combining academic theory with practical applications.

In addition to the core business knowledge, students specialising in Accounting will gain an in-depth understanding of financial reporting, taxation, auditing, and strategic financial management. They will also be well-prepared to pursue professional accounting certifications and meet the evolving demands of the accounting profession, which increasingly encompasses technological integration and strategic business advisory roles.

For those majoring in Management, the programme focuses on building leadership capabilities, resource management, and strategic planning expertise. Students will learn how to lead diverse teams, implement organisational strategies, and adapt to globalised and multicultural work settings. They will graduate ready to take on managerial roles across industries, ensuring operational success and organisational growth.

Students specialising in Information Systems will acquire technical and analytical skills to design, implement, and manage digital solutions that enhance organisational performance. They will develop competencies in areas such as database management, cybersecurity, system analysis, and e-business, ensuring they can harness information technology to drive innovation and efficiency in modern organisations.

The Bachelor of Business program helps students to build the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in a wide range of areas within business and the not-for-profit and public sectors. The Bachelor of Business program is designed to allow learners to customise their program by sampling a range of business disciplines prior to choosing the business discipline in which to specialise through a selected Major. The program adopts enquiry-based learning approach that helps learners to develop important problem-solving and decision-making skills relevant to any business. Graduates go on to develop careers in the management of large, medium and small businesses in government and private sectors, both domestically and internationally.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Business programme will be able to:

  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge across key business disciplines, including accounting, management, marketing, law, and economics.
  • Critically analyse and interpret business data to support decision-making and strategy development.
  • Communicate business concepts effectively through oral and written mediums, tailored to diverse audiences.
  • Apply principles of corporate governance, ethics, and social responsibility in evaluating business practices.
  • Understand and navigate corporate, legal, and regulatory frameworks that influence organisational operations.
  • Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams to solve problems and deliver innovative solutions.
  • Use business statistics and IT processes to enhance operational efficiency and drive business innovation.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Business programme will be:

  • Professionally Knowledgeable: Demonstrates mastery in their major (Accounting, Management, or Information Systems), with sound critical judgment and applied expertise.
  • Strategic and Innovative: Capable of developing and implementing sustainable business solutions in diverse and dynamic environments.
  • Analytical and Solution-Oriented: Able to evaluate complex business challenges and respond with data-informed, ethical decisions.
  • Effective Communicators and Collaborators: Possesses the ability to work confidently in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Socially Responsible Leaders: Committed to ethical practices, corporate responsibility, and community engagement on a local and global scale.

The demand for highly skilled business professionals continues to rise across New Zealand and the broader Asia-Pacific region. As highlighted in regional labour market and education reports, there is a significant skills shortage in business disciplines such as Accounting, Information Systems, and Management, especially among graduates who combine technical expertise with cross-cultural communication, ethical leadership, and digital capability.

The Bachelor of Business programme at CIM directly addresses this need by preparing graduates with industry-relevant knowledge, professional competencies, and the adaptability to succeed in today’s evolving economy.

Additionally, the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) – Level 4 and Level 5 programmes offered by CIM play a crucial role in this ecosystem. These qualifications are designed to:

  • Bridge language gaps for international students entering tertiary study
  • Strengthen academic and research literacy
  • Equip learners with communication skills needed for success in professional and multicultural workplaces

In an increasingly globalised workforce, English language proficiency is not only an academic requirement but an essential employability skill. CIM’s English programmes ensure students are well-prepared to engage confidently in academic discussions, interpret complex texts, and express themselves clearly in business contexts.

Together, these programmes reinforce CIM’s commitment to delivering work-ready graduates, equipped to contribute meaningfully to the New Zealand workforce and global industries.

The Canterbury Institute of Management ('the Institute') qualifications are aimed to provide a broad-based foundation for entry into graduate positions that can lead to a wide range of rewarding careers. It is expected that graduates start a career in the fields including:

  • Accounting
  • Multinational Corporations Management
  • Public Accounting Practice
  • Public Sector Accounting /Auditing
  • Project Management
  • Business Analysis
  • Systems Analysis

Graduates specialising in Accounting will be able to:

  • Apply accounting principles and financial reporting standards to prepare, analyse, and interpret financial statements.
  • Evaluate organisational financial performance and provide recommendations for improvement using management accounting tools.
  • Demonstrate competency in taxation laws and regulations, applying these to individual and corporate tax planning.
  • Apply the principles and practices of auditing and internal controls to evaluate financial and operational risks.
  • Use advanced accounting systems and software to support decision-making in organisations.
  • Analyse the impact of globalisation, regulatory frameworks, and ethical considerations on accounting practices.
  • Provide strategic financial advice that integrates accounting with broader organisational objectives.

Graduates specialising in Information Systems will be able to:

  • Analyse and design effective information systems to address business needs and enhance organisational performance.
  • Apply technical proficiency in programming, database management, and system integration.
  • Assess the role of information systems in supporting business processes, decision-making, and strategic objectives.
  • Evaluate and implement information security measures to protect organisational data and systems.
  • Develop e-business solutions to improve customer engagement and operational efficiency.
  • Apply knowledge of emerging technologies to drive digital transformation within organisations.
  • Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders effectively.

Graduates specialising in Management will be able to:

  1. Develop and implement strategies to achieve organisational goals in dynamic and competitive environments.
  2. Lead diverse teams effectively by applying principles of organisational behaviour and human resource management.
  3. Analyse cross-cultural management practices and adapt strategies to suit multicultural and globalised workplaces.
  4. Apply strategic management theories to plan, monitor, and evaluate organisational performance.
  5. Integrate ethical and sustainable practices into organisational decision-making and resource management.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to manage change and foster innovation in response to evolving business needs.
  7. Exhibit entrepreneurial thinking and develop innovative business solutions to meet market demands.

Program Progression Rules

To complete the Bachelor of Business program, the student would need to complete 24 courses in the following order:

Single Major (other than Accounting)
  • 8 First year common core courses (First Year/100 Level).
  • 8 Courses in chosen Major - at least 4 out of 8 courses must be at 300 level
  • 4 Courses in chosen Minor - at least 2 out of 4 courses must be at 300 level
  • 8 Elective Courses - at least 4 out of 8 courses must be at 300 level
Single Major (Accounting)
  • 8 First year common core courses (100 Level)
  • 10 Courses in chosen Major - at least 5 out of 10 courses must be at 300 level.
  • 6 Elective Courses - at least 3 out of 6 courses must be at 300 level.
Double Major (other than Accounting*)
  • 8 First year common core courses (100 Level)
  • 8 Courses in first chosen Major - at least 4 out of 8 courses must be at 300 level
  • 8 Courses in second chosen Major - at least 4 out of 8 courses must be at 300 level
Double Major (Accounting + Another Major)
  • 8 First year common core courses (100 Level)
  • 10 Courses in Accounting Major - at least 5 out of 10 courses must be at 300 level
  • 8 Courses in second chosen Major - at least 4 out of 8 courses must be at 300 level

*Students will receive a fully structured 'Program Planner' that does not have elective courses


*Students who have chosen Accounting as their major are not allowed to take double major in Bachelor of Business program.

Core Courses (Level 100 Courses)

Course Code Course Title Credit Points
level 100 BUSC101 Communication in Business 15
ACCT101 Foundations of Accounting 15
ECON101 Business Economics 15
ITIS101 IT and Business Processes 15
MKTG101 Marketing 15
MGMT101 Management 15
LAWS101 Fundamentals of Business Law 15
BUSS101 Business Statistics 15

Core Courses for Accounting Major

Course Code Course Title Credit Points
level 200 ACCT201 Management Accounting 15
ACCT202 Financial Accounting 15
ACCT203 Corporate Accounting 15
FINC201 Fundamentals of Finance 15
BUSE201 Corporate Governance and Business Ethics 15
level 300 ACCT301 Auditing 15
ACCT302 Management Control Systems 15
ACCT303 Accounting Systems 15
ACCT304 Taxation 15
ACCT305 Accounting Theory and Issues 15

Core Courses for Information Systems Major

Course Code Course Title Credit Points
level 200 ISBS201 Communications and Networks 15
ISBS202 Programming Concepts 15
ISBS203 System Analysis and Design 15
ISBS204 Database Management Systems 15
level 300 ISBS301 Information and Communication Security 15
ISBS302 Web Technologies 15
ISBS303 e-Business Solutions 15
ISBS304 Information System Project 15

Core Courses for Management Major

Course Code Course Title Credit Points
level 200 MGMT203 Human Resources Management 15
BUSE201 Corporate Governance and Business Ethics 15
MGMT202 Cross Cultural Management 15
MGMT201 Organisational Behaviour 15
level 300 MGMT301 Contemporary Issues in Management 15
MGMT302 Strategic Management 15
BUSE301 Entrepreneurship and Innovation 15
MGMT303 Leadership and Change Management 15

Elective Course Selection for the Bachelor of Business Programme

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Business programme can select elective courses from a range of subjects offered by the institute. These electives provide students with an opportunity to broaden their knowledge beyond their chosen major, adding value to their educational experience. However, electives cannot overlap with courses in the student’s primary major.

Available Elective Options

Electives can be selected from the following areas based on the programme content:

Accounting Electives (NZ)

Course Code Course Title Credit Points
level 200 ACCT201 Management Accounting 15
ACCT202 Financial Accounting 15
ACCT203 Corporate Accounting 15
FINC201 Fundamentals of Finance 15
BUSE201 Corporate Governance and Business Ethics 15
level 300 ACCT301 Auditing 15
ACCT302 Management Control Systems 15
ACCT303 Accounting Systems 15
ACCT304 Taxation 15
ACCT305 Accounting Theory and Issues 15

Management Electives

Course Code Course Title Credit Points
level 200 MGMT201 Organisational Behaviour 15
MGMT202 Cross-Cultural Management 15
MGMT203 Human Resources Management 15
BUSE201 Corporate Governance and Business Ethics 15
level 300 MGMT301 Contemporary Issues in Management 15
MGMT302 Strategic Management 15
BUSE301 Entrepreneurship and Innovation 15
MGMT303 Leadership and Change Management 15

Information Systems Electives

Course Code Course Title Credit Points
level 200 ISBS201 Communications and Networks 15
ISBS202 Programming Concepts 15
ISBS203 System Analysis and Design 15
ISBS204 Database Management Systems 15
level 300 ISBS301 Information and Communication Security 15
ISBS302 Web Technologies 15
ISBS303 e-Business Solutions 15
ISBS304 Information System Project 15