Why Study / Key Benefits

• Provides a relatively short route to gaining knowledge and skills in a subject different from the major of your first degree.
• Can normally be completed in one trimester of full-time study.
• Is shorter than the 120-point Graduate Diploma.
• Can be useful for career development, career change or building competency in a new discipline.
• Waikato allows students with appropriate training, experience and ability to be considered even when they do not hold a bachelor's degree, subject to Academic Board approval.
• The qualification is available across a broad range of disciplines, including business, computing, design, engineering, law, science, social sciences, education, M?ori and Indigenous studies, and other areas.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The generic Graduate Certificate is not a single fixed curriculum. Students construct an approved programme from papers belonging to their selected Graduate Certificate subject.

The core structural requirements are:

• 60 points in total.
• Papers at 100 level or above.
• At least 45 points at 300 level or above.
• At least 45 points from one approved subject.
• The final Graduate Certificate is endorsed in the subject in which the student completes at least 45 points.

The current regulations list a very broad selection of approved Graduate Certificate subjects, including:

• Accounting
• Agribusiness
• Anthropology
• Applied Digital Communication
• Aquaculture
• Artificial Intelligence
• Banking, Finance and Technology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Chemistry
• Chinese
• Communication Design
• Community Health
• Computer Graphic Design
• Computer Science
• Creative Media
• Criminology
• Data Analytics
• Digital Business
• Earth Sciences
• Ecology and Biodiversity
• Economics
• Education and Society
• Electronics
• Engineering
• English
• Environmental Planning
• Environmental Sciences
• Finance
• French
• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Geography
• Global Arts
• Global Markets
• History
• Human Development
• Human Performance Science
• Human Resource Management
• Human Rights
• Industrial Design
• Interface Design
• International Languages and Cultures
• International Relations
• Japanese
• Kaupapa M?ori Psychology
• Korean
• Law
• Leadership
• Linguistics
• Management
• Management Communication
• M?ori and Indigenous Studies
• M?ori Language / Te Reo M?ori
• Marine Science
• Marketing
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Media Design
• Media Production
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Music
• Pacific and Indigenous Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Population Studies
• Psychology
• Public Policy
• Public Relations
• Relational and Inclusive Practices
• Screen and Media Studies
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Sport Development and Coaching
• Statistics
• Strategic Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Theatre Studies
• Writing Studies.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The generic Graduate Certificate is available with a wide range of subject endorsements rather than a small fixed set of majors.

Examples include:

• Graduate Certificate in Accounting
• Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence
• Graduate Certificate in Computer Science
• Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics
• Graduate Certificate in Digital Business
• Graduate Certificate in Engineering
• Graduate Certificate in Environmental Planning
• Graduate Certificate in Finance
• Graduate Certificate in Law
• Graduate Certificate in Management
• Graduate Certificate in Marketing
• Graduate Certificate in M?ori and Indigenous Studies
• Graduate Certificate in Music
• Graduate Certificate in Psychology
• Graduate Certificate in Public Policy
• Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management
• Graduate Certificate in Statistics.

Programme Highlights

• 60-point qualification.
• Normally completed in one trimester full-time.
• Hamilton-based generic programme.
• March and July intakes.
• Designed for graduates wishing to develop competency in a different subject area.
• Can be completed in a wide range of academic disciplines.
• Requires at least 45 points at 300 level or above.
• Qualification is endorsed in the chosen subject.
• Alternative admission based on relevant training and experience may be possible.
• Can provide a short route into a new academic or career field.

Career Outcomes

The University positions the Graduate Certificate as a way to quickly develop career competency in a single subject area and acquire skills for a new career.

Career outcomes depend heavily on the subject selected. For example:

• Computer Science/Data Analytics: entry-level or supporting roles involving computing, data or digital technologies, depending on previous qualifications and experience.
• Business/Management/Marketing: business, management, marketing or related support roles.
• Engineering: additional knowledge supporting an existing engineering or technical background.
• Law: foundational legal knowledge, subject to the separate professional requirements for legal practice.
• Environmental Planning/Science: roles related to environmental and planning knowledge, depending on previous qualifications.
• Psychology: additional academic knowledge, but the Graduate Certificate does not itself qualify someone to practise as a registered psychologist.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current qualification page lists 60 points, 0.5 years, Hamilton, and March/July intakes.
• The current regulations require at least 45 points at 300 level or above and at least 45 points in one approved subject.
• Subject availability can change between academic years. The University advises checking current subject regulations and paper offerings.
• Business Analytics and Project Management have dedicated Graduate Certificate qualifications rather than being handled through the generic Graduate Certificate.
• The generic Graduate Certificate should not be confused with Waikato's Graduate Certificate in Postgraduate Preparation, which is a separate Level 7 pathway programme designed to prepare students for postgraduate study.
• The Graduate Certificate is not equivalent to a Postgraduate Certificate. Its study level is undergraduate level. 

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying the Graduate Certificate on campus in New Zealand will normally require a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that this visa:

• Costs from NZD 850.
• Can be granted for up to 4 years.
• Has an indicative processing time of 80% within 8 weeks.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires evidence of sufficient tuition funding or an applicable scholarship.
• Requires evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Requires the applicant to meet health and character requirements.
• Requires a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Requires evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.