Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Certificate in Arts (CertArts) allows students to study at university level without committing to a full multi-year degree.
• It is suitable for students who want to explore Arts subjects, gain university-level academic experience, or study part-time.
• Students can select courses from a range of Arts subjects and can benefit from learning activities such as field trips, real-world case studies and projects, depending on their selected courses.
• The qualification can provide a pathway into the Diploma in Arts or Bachelor of Arts.
• Credits earned during the Certificate can be transferred to the Diploma in Arts, Bachelor of Arts and some other UC degrees, provided the student has not already graduated with the Certificate.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Certificate consists of 60 points of courses drawn from Bachelor of Arts subjects.

Students can:

• Choose 60 points at 100-level or above.
• Complete four standard courses in a typical 60-point structure.
• Choose courses from no more than two subjects.
• Take courses at 100 and/or 200 level.
• Have the Certificate awarded in a particular subject by taking at least 30 points from that subject.

The current programme page identifies Anthropology as an Arts subject and also lists a range of other Arts-related courses that may count towards the Certificate, including:

• Anthropology
• Antarctic Studies
• Arts
• Astronomy
• Biological Sciences
• Biosecurity
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Fine Arts
• Health
• Law
• Pacific Studies
• Physics
• Professional and Community Engagement
• Writing.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Certificate in Arts does not have formal majors or specialisations in the same way as a bachelor's degree.

However, students can focus the Certificate in one Arts subject by selecting at least 30 points from that subject. The programme therefore provides a flexible subject-focus option rather than fixed specialisations.

Programme Highlights

• 60-point undergraduate certificate.
• 6 months full-time.
• Up to 5 years part-time.
• February and July intakes.
• Flexible choice of courses.
• Courses can be selected at 100- and/or 200-level.
• Maximum of two subjects can be used for the Certificate.
• At least 30 points in one subject can give the Certificate a subject focus.
• Field trips, projects, real-world case studies and other practical learning opportunities may be available depending on the selected courses.
• Can provide a pathway to the Diploma in Arts or Bachelor of Arts.
• Certificate credits can potentially be transferred to higher qualifications, subject to UC's requirements.

Career Outcomes

The Certificate is primarily a short undergraduate qualification and pathway rather than a professional degree.

UC identifies Arts-related career destinations including:

• Media
• Government
• International relations
• Arts and culture
• Heritage
• Archives
• Politics
• Public policy
• Writing
• Editing
• Public relations
• Communications
• Conservation
• Tourism
• Teaching
• Community development
• Publishing
• Design
• Business
• Advertising
• Marketing.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• UC's current Certificate in Arts page confirms the qualification remains a 60-point certificate with February and July starts.
• The current programme allows completion in 6 months full-time or up to 5 years part-time.
• The Certificate can be awarded in one Arts subject where at least 30 points are selected from that subject.
• Course prerequisites continue to apply.
• Transfer of Certificate credits to the Diploma in Arts, Bachelor of Arts or certain other qualifications is possible, but UC specifies that the student must not already have graduated with the Certificate before transferring those credits.
• The IPU page supplied for this research is not the Certificate in Arts page. It currently describes the Master of Contemporary International Studies, which is being renamed and is closed to new enrolments.
• Consequently, programme-specific information should be treated as UC information rather than IPU information.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the Certificate in Arts in New Zealand, the relevant visa will generally be the Fee Paying Student Visa when paying international tuition fees.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Visa: Fee Paying Student Visa.
• Cost: from NZD$850.
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years.
• Processing: 80% within 8.5 weeks.
• An Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition-fee funds or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Satisfaction of health, character and genuine-study requirements.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.

Living-fund requirement:

• NZD$20,000 per year for tertiary study when the study period is 1 year or more.
• NZD$1,667 per month when the study period is less than 1 year.

Work rights:

• Eligible student visa holders may work up to 25 hours per week while studying.
• Full-time work during scheduled holidays may be permitted depending on the conditions attached to the individual visa.
• Students must follow the exact work conditions shown on their visa.