Why Study "Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Professional Studies (Mentoring and Leadership)"

The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Professional Studies (Mentoring and Leadership) is a Level 8 postgraduate qualification designed for working professionals who want to strengthen their professional leadership, mentoring, supervision and reflective-practice capabilities. The programme connects academic theory with real workplace situations, allowing students to apply their learning directly to their professional practice. It is offered by Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology at Rotorua and Tauranga and can also provide a pathway into the Master of Applied Professional Studies (Mentoring and Leadership).

• Level of study: New Zealand Qualifications Framework Level 8
• Qualification: Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Professional Studies (Mentoring and Leadership)
• Total credits: 120
• Duration: 1 year full-time, including holidays where applicable
• Part-time study is available
• Locations: Rotorua and Tauranga
• Rotorua: Mokoia Campus
• Tauranga: Windermere Campus
• The qualification is particularly relevant to professionals seeking development in mentoring, supervision, professional leadership and workplace practice.

Key Benefits

The programme has a strong applied-learning focus, meaning students can connect their academic study with their existing professional environment. Assessments and projects are designed around workplace situations and professional practice.

• Develop advanced professional leadership and mentoring skills.
• Strengthen critical thinking, analysis and reflective-practice abilities.
• Learn to evaluate theories and concepts related to mentoring and professional supervision.
• Develop a framework that can be applied within a professional workplace.
• Gain experience in research protocols and professional inquiry.
• Apply academic learning directly to workplace challenges.
• Provides a progression route to the Master of Applied Professional Studies (Mentoring and Leadership).
• The diploma can be completed as a standalone qualification or used as a pathway towards master's-level study.

Program Structure

The programme comprises 120 credits and normally takes one year of full-time study. Students study topics focused on reflective practice, leadership, mentoring, professional relationships, the New Zealand professional environment and research protocols. Students who have already completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Professional Studies (Mentoring and Leadership) may be able to complete the diploma in 19 weeks full-time.

Main topics include:

• Critical Reflective Practice
• Professional Leadership
• The New Zealand Legislative Environment for Professional Leaders
• Building Professional Relationships for Mentoring
• Mentoring and Supervision
• Ng? Tikanga Rangahau: Research Protocols

The published timetable currently lists classes from Monday to Thursday, generally between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, although timetables are subject to change.

Discipline / Specialisation

This qualification is specifically offered with the Mentoring and Leadership specialisation. It sits within Toi Ohomai's postgraduate and professional mentoring study area and focuses on the development of professional mentoring, supervision, leadership and reflective-practice capabilities.

The course is relevant to professionals working in areas where mentoring, supervision, team leadership, professional development or educational leadership are important.

Programme Highlights

• Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• 120-credit programme.
• One-year full-time study option.
• Part-time study available.
• Available at Mokoia Campus in Rotorua and Windermere Campus in Tauranga.
• Work-based and applied learning approach.
• Strong emphasis on critical reflection, professional leadership and mentoring.
• Students are expected to connect learning with a relevant workplace or professional experience.
• The qualification can lead into the Master of Applied Professional Studies (Mentoring and Leadership); Toi Ohomai states that students can potentially complete both qualifications within approximately 18 months.

For international students, the current international course listing gives an indicative tuition fee of NZD $25,740 for the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Professional Studies (Mentoring and Leadership), with November 2026 listed as the next intake. Course-related costs may be additional.

Current intake dates published for the programme are:

• 9 November 2026 – Rotorua, Mokoia Campus
• 22 February 2027 – Rotorua, Mokoia Campus
• 19 July 2027 – Tauranga, Windermere Campus

Entry requirements include:

• A Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate/relevant subject; or
• A Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Professional Studies with an appropriate endorsement or a cognate subject; or
• An approved combination of academic and relevant practical/professional experience.
• Applicants using the experience-based pathway may need a relevant Level 7 post-secondary diploma plus at least two years of relevant practical experience and two written references, or at least five years of relevant senior-level professional experience with evidence of postgraduate study capability and two written references.
• Applicants must have access to a relevant workplace. Those not currently employed are expected to have at least two years of relevant experience.
• English language requirement: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0, or an accepted equivalent under Toi Ohomai/NZQA requirements.

Career Outcomes

The qualification is intended to support career advancement or employment-related development within a student's existing professional field. Potential areas of application include:

• Formal or informal leadership within workplace or industry teams
• Professional mentoring and supervision
• Educational leadership
• Mentoring and leadership in health and social services
• Staff mentoring and supervision
• Associate teacher or placement-support roles where the relevant professional registration requirements are met

The exact employment opportunities will depend on the student's previous qualification, professional registration, work experience and sector.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students studying this programme in New Zealand would generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa if they are paying international tuition fees themselves or through family, a loan or a scholarship. Immigration New Zealand requires an offer of place from an approved education provider and evidence of sufficient funds for tuition and living costs, along with meeting health, character, genuine-intention, insurance and other visa requirements.

• Tuition fees must be paid or otherwise financially provided for according to Immigration New Zealand requirements.
• For tertiary study of one year or more, the current living-cost requirement is NZD $20,000 per year.
• Students must have acceptable medical and travel insurance for their stay.
• Evidence of funds may include bank statements, an education loan, scholarship evidence or an acceptable sponsorship arrangement.
• Students must be able to demonstrate plans or funds for onward travel when required.
• Student visa work rights depend on the conditions attached to the individual visa. Eligible students may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week and during specified holidays, subject to their visa conditions.
• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying for a student visa at least three months before intended travel, particularly because processing can be busier between October and March.

Because immigration rules and work rights can change, international applicants should check their individual visa conditions before making employment or travel plans.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The Toi Ohomai course page was updated on 23 September 2026 and currently lists the November 2026 intake as the next intake, with additional intakes scheduled for February 2027 and July 2027.

• Current international indicative tuition fee: NZD $25,740.
• 2026/27 intake locations currently published: Rotorua and Tauranga.
• Relevant workplace access is an important programme requirement.
• Applicants may be invited to an information meeting to confirm that the programme is appropriate for their career goals and experience.
• Admission and selection remain subject to Toi Ohomai's academic and programme regulations, and the institution notes that enrolment numbers may be limited.
• The School Leader approves applicants selected for the Postgraduate Diploma.
• Toi Ohomai's general scholarship page currently lists scholarships and funding opportunities, but no scholarship is specifically identified on the course page as being exclusive to this qualification. Eligibility varies by scholarship.
• Toi Ohomai currently lists this programme as an international course, confirming that it is available within its international programme portfolio.