Course programme

The DipQA is offered over two years and provides practical, evidence-based strengths and frameworks that are focused on building capability in quality management leadership and strategy.

Diploma in Quality Assurance Year 1

The first year of the DipQA consists of six papers that cover a wide range of quality and risk management topics. These papers are designed to guide and consolidate your knowledge in the field of quality management. Throughout Year 1, students will complete a total of twelve assignments.

This comprehensive programme covers the principles and practices of quality management and quality systems and explores the tools and techniques used in developing, implementing, and improving quality approaches within organisations. It will prepare you for a career in specialist quality roles (supervisory and management positions) or areas like auditing, evaluation, and implementation of organisational systems and quality improvement.

Diploma in Quality Assurance Year 2

The second year of the DipQA builds on and enhances the learning undertaken in Year 1 and incorporates the completion of significant practical quality and risk management activities based in the workplace of the student—a win-win outcome for both students and their organisations.

The papers are designed to include demonstration and implementation of strong project management skills in undertaking the detailed quality and risk management projects which the student selects, based on the needs of their workplace.

Learning outcomes

Explain how modern quality management concepts can add value to an organisation

Assist an organisation in realising the advantages of good customer and supplier relationships

Explain the importance of team work and staff training in establishing a quality improvement cycle

Select and use a range of quality tools to create quality improvements and enhance performance

Explain how the use of appropriate statistical information and the Six Sigma approach can enhance quality of products and/or services by reducing variation

Implement or assist in the introduction or enhancement of an appropriate quality system

Apply appropriate tools to measure and enhance the quality of design

Integrate environmental management and occupational health and safety into quality systems to create a total quality management approach

Establish and participate in monitoring, quality audit, and evaluation processes

Use effective measurement and calibration techniques

Develop effective ways of obtaining good stakeholder feedback that can be used to improve a product or service

Frequently asked questions

Who should study quality assurance?

Managers, team leaders, and supervisors who hold responsibility for maintaining and improving quality standards within their teams and departments.
Project leaders actively engaged in quality improvement initiatives, overseeing the implementation of quality-related projects.
Technologists, operators, and process controllers tasked with the daily management and control of quality processes and procedures.
Service providers and manufacturers with a vested interest in quality, seeking to enhance their understanding and application of quality management principles.

What does the qualification cover?

The course programme offers comprehensive understanding and practical experience across various aspects of quality management and improvement.

Students cover fundamental concepts such as the principles of quality, Total Quality Management (TQM), and quality systems. They learn about quality improvement tools and techniques, statistical thinking and variation, quality costs, ISO 9000 standards, and the development of quality manuals and procedures. Practical guidance is provided on implementing quality systems, along with insights into Six Sigma and Lean methodologies.
The qualification emphasises the importance of customer focus, service quality, and maintaining strong supplier relationships. Students gain insights into strategies for delivering exceptional service experiences and fostering positive relationships with suppliers.
Students explore the significance of teamwork in achieving quality objectives and the importance of staff selection and training in maintaining a quality-focused workplace.
Practical knowledge is provided on process capability, control charts, sampling principles and plans, and measurement, inspection, and control techniques. Students also learn about measurement systems and calibration to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.
The qualification covers environmental management systems and their integration with quality management practices. Students also gain an understanding of occupational health and safety measures essential for maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
Students learn about quality considerations in product and service design, including establishing specifications and requirements to meet customer needs effectively.
The qualification addresses risk management principles and strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to quality and organisational objectives. Students also learn about quality assurance and quality control processes, managing complaints, traceability, and recall, and conducting quality management audits and evaluations.

This comprehensive coverage ensures that students develop a holistic understanding of quality management principles and practices—equipping them with the knowledge and skills to drive continual improvement and excellence within their organisations.

What are the prerequisites?

Students who have previously completed the Certificate in Quality Assurance (CQA) will be awarded Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and may enter the DipQA at Year 2—a significant incentive to maximise and enhance your quality learning and qualifications.

Students entering the DipQA at Year 2 will be required to undertake a Bridging Course (DipQA601) if their CQA qualification was awarded prior to 2009. Recent graduates will progress directly to DipQA602 and DipQA603.

What are the certification requirements?

The programme contains the knowledge and skills for professional registration as a Certified Quality Practitioner. Additionally, once students have completed all six Year 1 papers, they may also be eligible for Exemplar Global QM certification.

Have another question?

Get in touch with us to have a chat about which training options are right for you and your organisation.

Training enquiry

Training rates on this website are estimates, subject to change based on individual circumstances at registration/enrolment. Rates are for domestic participants in 2025 and may differ in future years. Additional costs for learning materials/equipment may apply.

Start your quality journey

Register for a Year 1 paper

DipQA501

Quality Management

This paper emphasises quality in service and manufacturing, introducing modern management principles. It covers designing quality from a customer perspective, includes the ServQual satisfaction model, and familiarises students with the PWC business model. Risk management is discussed from a quality cost perspective. TQM and employee development are also introduced.

DipQA502

Quality Improvement

This paper introduces business excellence awards, including the Baldridge programme. It covers PDCA, SDCA, and Kaizen principles for improvement. Students learn classical problem-solving techniques with tools like Pareto analysis and flow charts. Emphasis is on training and aligning job descriptions with personnel requirements.

DipQA503

Variation

This paper focuses on advancing skills in Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing. It addresses statistical challenges, even for students with limited math and statistics background. Topics include population measures, sampling, cause and effect, control charts, Cu Sum techniques, and examples applicable to a Six Sigma programme.

DipQA504

Implementing Quality

This paper explores sampling practices based on randomness and introduces single, double, and multiple sampling plans. It covers the operating characteristic curve, risks associated with AQL and LQ concepts, defect categorisation, small run points, and ISO 9001 standards.

DipQA505

Quality Systems

This paper applies knowledge in Six Sigma concepts, Cp, Cpm measures, and defects per million opportunities to short-run production, services, and quality integration. It covers occupational health, environmental standards, design issues, risk assessment, and supplier evaluation.

DipQA506

Maintaining Quality

This paper focuses on measurement, inspection, control, and international standards. It covers calibration, uncertainty of measurement, data analysis, and 'soft' measurements like customer surveys. Traceability in product withdrawal and system audits are explored for quality, health, and environmental situations.

Join the increasing number of quality professionals who are completing the Diploma in Quality Assurance.

Diploma students

Comments from graduates

I am passionate about continuous improvement, both personally and professionally. I am always on the lookout for opportunities to enhance my knowledge. I completed my Certificate of Quality Assurance and then it took me four months to decide if I wanted to carry on with the Diploma. I decided to proceed as I realised that this next step would enhance my learning by bringing together all the aspects I learnt in the first year through practical application, the bonus being that completion of the course will also provide me with a recognised qualification which will assist me in advancing my career.

The biggest impact that I experienced was the follow-on effect of my internal audit project. The outcomes of the project not only benefited the site where I undertook the audit, but a similar audit was then undertaken at two other sites in the Northern Region and, as a result, improvements are being made nationally.

Melissa Graham

I need to keep myself updated in the current trends in QA and therefore I decided to enrol in this course. I had already completed the Certificate in Quality Assurance (CQA) in 2005 and so it seemed like the next stage of my professional development.

I will recommend this programme to all quality and risk management professionals. This course was beneficial to me. Course guides were always there to help me. A course like this is beneficial to any quality professional in their career in an existing organisation or to someone who is thinking of changing their current job.

Nandu Raut

I now have a greater knowledge and understanding of the industry I am employed in. I have gained investigative and networking tools and have competence and confidence in designing and implementing a full audit process.

Year 2 showed me a process for combining both quality and training disciplines to create value in an organisation. I now have experience and confidence analysing processes both before and after an intervention more currency of skills and attitudes. Combined, these papers helped me gain confidence in designing, managing and conducting audits from start to finish.

R. Gedye

I selected the NZOQ DipQA programme as the practical content appealed to me, and an organisation devoted to quality seemed the most obvious choice. The first year gives a great foundation in quality assurance. For Year 2, being able to apply concepts to practical situations was most interesting.

Moya Appleby

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