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Entrepreneurship Micro-credential

Learn how to turn your business idea into a reality. Immerse yourself in the world of entrepreneurship as you discover, develop and drive forward business ideas to create new products, services or brands.

$695inc GST
Entrepreneurship Micro-credential (15 Credits)
10 Weeks
100% online learning
ET Hero

Outcomes and Pathways

What this course offers and how you will benefit

Build the essential skills, attitudes and attributes of a successful entrepreneur as you develop your own business pitch deck during this practical Level 8 NZQA accredited (15 credits) micro-credential.

Gain valuable insights from course tutors and seasoned entrepreneurs on your business idea through weekly live online sessions over 10 weeks. This highly collaborative course offers regular opportunities for you to ask questions and seek useful feedback to improve your business idea or start up.

Wherever you are on your journey to entrepreneurship, this short course offers essential skills to take you to the next level.

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Being a successful entrepreneur requires more than hard work, it requires a new product or business concept to meet an untapped market need. A great idea, well executed, has the ability to create a sustainable business or even a significant entity that employs thousands of people. At the heart of all successful businesses are core building blocks that all businesses need. There are no short cuts for a great idea, strong systems and processes, and a digital core that streamlines and connects people, customers, operations, logistics, procurement and people.

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Frances Valintine (CNZM) | CEO & Founder, academyEX
Frances Valintine (CNZM) CEO & Founder, academyEX

Confidence in using critical thinking to find opportunities and solve problems

Connect with a network of like-minded business owners

Develop a peer-reviewed pitch deck for your business idea

Gain access to legal, financial and marketing business resources

Pathways

Where this could take you

Apply your knowledge to start your own business or develop a side-hustle

Follow your passion

Take your idea and continue to research, develop and evolve it as you work toward a successful side-hustle.

Start your own business

Turn your idea for a new business, product or service into a reality or add a new brand to your current business.

Continued learning

OUTLINE

How this Micro-credential works

Incorporate the skills of entrepreneurship into your world

Apply and Enrol

If you are ready to enrol, complete the online application form. We will be in touch to and provide all you need to know to get started on your micro-credential journey.

Entrepreneurship Essentials

Begin with exploring entrepreneurship essentials - skills that are characteristic of successful entrepreneurs. Extend your understanding of data and pattern recognition for market validation, testing and prototyping.

Skills, Attitudes and Attributes

Expand your skill set engaging with ideas and frameworks for strategic thinking, funding and finance, communication, team building and entrepreneurial wellbeing. Apply your learning to create a pitch deck for an idea you are passionate about.

Follow up

Put your project into practice or further your knowledge with our Master of Technological Futures or Master of Change and Organisational Resilience

KEY INFORMATION AND FAQS

What you need to know

If we look at this from a purely academic perspective, a micro-credential is worth 15 educational credits which equates to 150 hours of learning. But how much time you need to commit each week will depend on the length of the programme.

This 10-week micro-credential includes an average of 15 learning hours per week. The Entrepreneurship micro-credential’s blended delivery approach includes self-directed and directed learning activities supported by weekly 90-minute virtual synchronous class sessions. Online synchronous sessions will take place on Wednesday 4.00-5.30pm. These sessions will be recorded but we do expect attendance at these sessions to enable effective project work and to maximise learning and networking opportunities. 

For further information, download our 2023 student prospectus.

There are three intakes of this micro-credential per year, starting in March, June and September in 2023.

For more details about key dates, download our 2023 student prospectus.

To be eligible to study on the Programme, applicants must meet the admission criteria. The high-level entry criteria as approved by NZQA are as follows:

  • A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent level qualification 

  • OR equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.

For further information, including how to demonstrate equivalent professional experience, download our 2023 Student Prospectus.

Applications close one week before the start date of the intake you are applying for. Please see Key Dates in our 2023 student prospectus for specific application close dates.  Applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis after the application close date at the discretion of academyEX. Please contact [email protected] if you applications are closed and you would like to apply.

  • The domestic tuition fee for the Programme is $450 (including GST). Unfortunately, students are not eligible to apply for StudyLink Student Loans for this micro-credential.

  • The fee for international students in New Zealand is NZD$1,125(including GST).

  • The fee for international students outside of New Zealand is NZD$1,087.

AcademyEX offers a range of scholarships to support people to study and help to minimise barriers to learning. The following scholarships can be applied for, and cover 75% of fees for this micro-credential.

  • Tangata Whenua - for learners who identify as Māori 

  • Pacific Ako - for learners who identify as Pacific 

  • Taipakeke - for learners who are aged 60 years and over. 

  • Impact Scholarship - for learners who are positively impacting people, society and/or the planet.

Please note: The Early Bird discount of 10% off does not apply to our micro-credentials. 

Find out more, including scholarship terms and conditions, by visiting our Scholarships page.

The Entrepreneurship Micro-credential (15 credits, level 8), will support individuals from a range of industries and communities to identify, develop and advance new business ideas or innovative products or services. 

The programme is of value to those with a personal or professional interest in entrepreneurship and building an understanding of the skills, knowledge and capabilities that are important for successful entrepreneurial activities.

Not necessarily. If you have an idea for a project or initiative that you would like to advance, you will be able to do this through the course. Through engaging with the material provided, ideas often emerge for learners. Be inspired by that idea that has always been at the back of your mind and see where it can be taken!

Generally, a 15 credit micro-credential will comprise two summative assessments. Some assessments are individual and others may be group based to encourage collaboration with others. Assessments are about applying your learning to your practice or context - developing small plans, strategies, designing initiatives, and exploring and evaluating key concepts or ideas. All assessments will add demonstrable value to your applied knowledge of the area you're learning in.

In the Entrepreneurship micro-credential you will reflect on an entrepreneurial case study and develop a pitch deck and lean canvas for your own project idea.

Our stackable learning means you can take a mix ‘n match approach to building your skills, knowledge and network across programmes, no matter which faculty, so you have a customised toolkit to make change and innovate where it matters most to you.

You can think of micro-credentials as building blocks of learning. Each building block could be credited to larger qualifications (e.g. a Master’s degree) if a specific micro-credential aligns to specific learning outcomes covered in a larger qualification. It’s worth having a chat with us about what you’re seeking to achieve for your upskilling so we can help with selecting the right learning pathways for you.

A micro-credential certifies achievement of a specific and coherent set of skills and/or knowledge. Micro-credentials are created through strong evidence of need by industry, employers, iwi and/or the community. Think of them like a ‘crash course’ on the future – bringing you up to speed on what matters today but also what’s critical for a thriving future. They are designed to be done alongside your busy work and personal life, so you don't have to take time off to study.

Our Micro-credentials give you a recognised NZQA qualification. 

Delivered through a combination of self-directed learning and weekly live online sessions, you’ll practice and apply the knowledge and skills you learn through two practical assessments. Between 7 and 15 weeks, all micro-credentials have a set price and we run regular intakes at set times of the year.

This programme is available to study as an international student either via online distance learning or if you currently reside in New Zealand and your visa conditions allow study. To find out more about studying with academyEX as an international student, and for programme fees, visit our International Students page.

We are very happy to help you to communicate the benefits of studying with academyEX to your employer. If you would like us to provide you with a letter of support or further information, please just ask.

Yes, almost all academyEX learners work full time while studying part time. This programme has been designed to fit in around full time work or family commitments, with weekly online sessions taking place in the late afternoon/early evening. Assessments are designed to be practical and linked to personal aspirations and projects.

If you are concerned about the workload and how you will balance it, please reach out to us and we can chat about how it could work for you.

Micro-credentials are delivered entirely online. Each micro-credential has regular online facilitated classes and self-directed study, that includes viewing videos, completing quizzes and reading relevant papers.

In the lead up to the start of each intake, fully enrolled students will receive onboarding emails from the team, as well as access to platforms that will be used during your study. During the first session, whether online or in-person, the team will talk through what you can expect during the programme and answer any questions. 

International students learning onshore with us will also be required to attend a separate orientation session. Details will be provided during the application process.

Absolutely. We’ve had loads of students do the course alongside family members, friends and colleagues. There are also opportunities to work collaboratively on assessments during the programme and work together on a project of interest. Learning is always better together!

Next Steps

Okay, so what’s next?

Make an enquiry

We understand the decision to embark on a course requires some consideration. If you have any questions, we’re here to help answer them.

Book a chat

We get it – sometimes it’s nice to chat to a real human! Book a call at a time that suits you and Shruti will be able to answer your questions, give you more information and, if you’re ready, help you apply.

Apply Now

Create your academyEX account, or sign in if you are returning for more to apply online. We will guide you through the application process and make sure you have everything you need to get started.