Give your career a major boost
Build a qualification around your study background and career goals—whether you’re looking to upskill, move into a new field, or fill gaps in your knowledge.
Choose from more than 1,500 postgraduate courses from across the University and build a flexible, customised qualification that works for you.
If you prefer a tighter focus, you can pick courses within one of six areas: Architecture and Design Innovation; Business and Government; Data Science and Statistics; Health; Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; or Science.
Who can study for this qualification
To get into the PGCertPS, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree from a New Zealand university and two years of relevant work experience.
This qualification is designed for working professionals who want to progress in their careers, move into management, or change industries.
What you’ll learn
Architecture and Design Innovation
Gain the technical knowledge and skills demanded by the construction and design industries.
If you want to focus on a specific area of professional interest, you have nine options to choose from:
- built heritage
- building compliance
- construction management
- critical design studies
- design practice in Aotearoa
- digital tools and visualisation
- user experience design foundations
- sustainable buildings
- urban policy and economics.
Business and Government
Whether your goal is to enhance your career prospects, bridge knowledge gaps, or embark on a new path, the Wellington School of Business and Government offers a diverse selection of courses to suit your needs.
Explore our offerings in areas such as:
- public policy and public management
- global business
- digital transformation
- professional accounting
- business administration.
Data Science and Statistics
Dive into the world of data and equip yourself with the tools to navigate today’s data-driven landscape. Data science and statistics have applications in diverse fields:
- finance
- ecosystem conservation
- astrophysics
- marketing
- healthcare
- agriculture
- linguistics.
Explore a wide range of courses, including:
- data analysis
- machine learning
- statistical modelling
- artificial intelligence
- data visualisation.
Health
Whether you’re seeking specific knowledge to apply in your professional role or want to understand how health intersects with other issues, you’ll benefit from an advanced understanding of health topics.
Choose from a diverse range of health courses:
- health promotion
- hauora Māori
- Pacific health
- diversity in healthcare
- health and safety management
- health leadership.
Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Choose from a rich and diverse range of subjects, including:
- Communication
- Global Studies
- Music
- Politics and International Relations
- Language Sciences
- Pacific Cultures and Languages
- Sociology.
Science
Science is the answer to solving many of the world’s most pressing issues. Studying a science subject, you can:
- understand the inner workings of disease
- learn what drives behaviour
- develop the skills to communicate science effectively
- become a leader in protecting our natural world
- drive new technological developments.
We offer courses across the physical and social sciences—giving you the chance to expand your career options and build on your skills.
Multiple subject areas
The PGCertPS can be completed without a major subject. You can choose any approved combination of 400- or 500-level courses offered at the University.
Explore the six areas of focus
Each version of the PGCertPS has its own page with details on how the qualification works in that subject area.
How you’ll learn
In most cases, your PGCertPS programme will be delivered through in-person lectures. But, depending on which courses you choose, you may be able to study it fully online.
Workload
You can complete the PGCertPS in one trimester if you study full time, depending on the focus of your study and when your courses are available.
If you study part time, you can complete the PGCertPS in two trimesters.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the PGCertPS shall have:
(i) completed a New Zealand Bachelor’s degree; and
(ii) completed two years of relevant work experience; and
(iii) been accepted by the relevant head of school or programme director as capable of completing the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirements (a)(i) or (a)(ii) may be waived or varied by the relevant Associate Dean (Students) for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGCertPS
2. (a) The course of study for the PGCertPS shall consist of:
(i) a coherent programme worth at least 60 points and approved by the relevant programme director; and
(ii) courses at 400- or 500-level, except that a candidate may be awarded up to 60 points credit for approved micro-credentials at NZQF Level 8 or above.
(b) Except in special cases and approved by the relevant associate dean, the course of study must not meet the requirements for any other postgraduate certificate available at this University.
3. A candidate for the PGCertPS shall normally be enrolled for at least one trimester and shall complete the certificate within two years of first enrolling in it. The Associate Dean may extend the maximum period in special cases.
4. A candidate who has been awarded the PGCertPS shall abandon that qualification upon being awarded a postgraduate diploma or master’s degree to which some or all of the courses comprising the PGCertPS are credited.
Future careers
The PGCertPS can give you a foundation for a new career or help you take your current one to the next level.
Explore careers related to your area of focus on Tahatū, the New Zealand Government’s careers website:
More career information
Find out more about careers on our 'What can I do with my degree' pages.
The Government’s careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for various subjects
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This scholarship is designed to support second year students studying History at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.
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This scholarship is designed to support second year students studying English at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.
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This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree, Postgraduate Diploma, or eligible Honours programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for various subjects
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This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
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The award provides financial support to returning or transferring Pasifika students enrolled or intending to enrol in a programme in ecological or environmental sciences the year following application. The award is open to graduates of any university within or outside of New Zealand.
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This scholarship was established to encourage students to complete a major in Language Sciences at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, and continue to further study or careers in this field.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Further research or study
The PGCertPS could become the catalyst for further postgraduate study.
Courses completed as part of your PGCertPS programme may in some cases be counted towards a higher qualification, such as a Master’s degree.
Programme director
John Randal
Associate Dean, Academic Programmes
Ask your employer for support
Pursuing postgraduate study can be a win-win for you and your employer. See some advice about asking your employer for support with your study.
