Courses

Agriculture can be studied at Vocational, Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. Many of the practical courses are offered in the vocational sector, while higher education offerings tend to focus more on specialized areas as well as agricultural businesses. Courses are available in general fields such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Farming skills, and Natural resources, but there are also some interesting options such as Arboriculture (the care and maintenance of trees), Apiculture (beekeeping), Viticulture (wine science) and Wool harvesting. Programmes in business, commerce, and science may also have relevant specializations — Agribusiness, for example, is a popular choice for students with aspirations to work in the business side of the agricultural industry.

At vocational level, students entering the field may qualify to work as veterinary nurses by completing a certificate or diploma in veterinary nursing. These courses provide the knowledge and practical skills to care for animals in settings such as veterinary practices, animal hospitals, zoo, wildlife parks, and rescue shelters. Veterinary nurses may undertake a range of tasks, including administrative and reception duties, providing advice to clients over the telephone, feeding and exercising animals, completing diagnostic tests (such as blood tests and X-rays), administering medication, and cleaning and preparing surgical instruments and equipments.

To become a professional veterinarian, you need to complete a degree in the higher education sector. The bachelor of veterinary science is the minimum qualification required to practice as a veterinarian. This degree requires five years of full-time study and is made up of an ‘intermediate semesters’, followed by a ‘professional phase’ where students continue along the path to practice. To progress to the professional phase, students must successfully complete the initial semesters with a high academic average. Places are very competitive, with a limited number of seats available. Prior to commencement of the first semester of study, students must have completed 10 days (minimum of 80 hours) of work experience in a veterinary setting.

At Undergraduate level, students can complete a Bachelor degree in Architectural studies. This course is available at a number of universities in New Zealand, allowing students to take the first step towards professional practice. To become an architect in New Zealand, you must then complete a Master of Architecture (professional). This is part Coursework (taught) and part Research degree. Once this qualification is completed, graduates must complete a minimum of 140 weeks of work experience before they apply to become a registered architect.

Other postgraduate degrees are available in areas such as Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Architecture Theory and History. Research degrees are also an option.

At Vocational level, certificates are available across a wide range of trades including, Bricklaying, Carpentry, Plumbing, Gas Fitting, Electrical Trades, and Painting and Decorating. There are also a number of Diploma programmers on offer, in areas such as Architectural Technology, Building control surveying, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying.

At Degree level, students can choose from bachelor degrees in areas such as Building, Building Science and Construction. Students may specialize within these degrees, with majors available in areas ranging from Project Management to sustainable Building Management and Quantity Surveying. Construction Management is another popular option. These courses allow graduates to enter careers as Construction Managers and Site Supervisors, whose role is to make sure that construction projects are completed on time and according to the allocated budget. Postgraduate programmers cover areas such as Construction, Construction Management and Surveying.

At Vocational level, courses include certificates and diplomas, covering the broad areas of Business, Business Administration, Commerce and Management. Specialized areas include Financial Services, Project Management, Real Estate, Banking, Business Enterprise, Marketing, and Small Business Management.

At the Undergraduate level, the most common degrees are the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Commerce — each allowing students to pursue specializations according to their interests and career goals, while also learning the fundamentals of the business world. In addition to common disciplines such as Marketing and Human Resource Management, there are interesting options such as Entrepreneurship and Economics.

Communication courses provide a range of specializations – from Creative writing, Digital media, Film, Radio, and Television production, to Journalism, Advertising, Public relations, and Publishing. Courses are available in all qualification levels, offered as vocational certificates and diplomas right through to postgraduate research. Specializations and career outcomes vary depending on the level at which you study.

Certificate and Diploma programmes are available in areas such as Creative writing, Commercial broadcasting, Media arts, Multimedia journalism, Radio and Television presenting, Journalism, News media, Animation, Publishing, and Web media.

In the higher education sector, programmes fall under Communication, Applied communication, Media and Creative technologies, Media arts and Digital media, with the opportunity to choose from a wide range of majors. Students can also complement their communications studies by pairing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with a programmed from another discipline. This is called a double degree (or conjoint degree) that means you can study communications alongside another field of your choice, such as the ones mentioned above.

Computer science and IT is a well-developed field at New Zealand’s education providers, so there are plenty of courses to choose from.

At Vocational level, Computer science and IT courses range from certificates in Applied computing skills, Business computing, Computing systems, E-commerce and Interactive computing to Diplomas in Advanced network engineering, Applied computer systems engineering, Computer game development, Computer networking, Information Technology, Information and Communication technologies, and Software and Web development. Specializations may vary between providers.

There are a large number of Undergraduate programmes in the higher education sector, with bachelor degrees available in areas such as Applied Informatics, Applied Information Systems, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences, Computing Systems, Information Sciences, and Information Technology. For graduates, postgraduate study is available through postgraduate certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s Degrees, and Doctoral study. Many of the undergraduate specializations are covered, in addition to the interesting areas such as Cyber security, Forensic Information Technology and Information Management.

Creative arts and design courses fall into one of the two groups. First, there are courses that prepare students for careers in the Visual and Performing arts. The second group includes programmes designed to provide students with the skills and technical knowledge to work in creative production roles (‘behind the scenes’).

Because this is such a practical field of study, there is a wide selection of courses at vocational certificate and diploma level. Choices range from certificates in Art and Design, Dance, Music, Performing Arts, Fashion Technology and Photography, to diplomas in areas such as Animation, Audio Engineering, Computer-aided Design, Fashion design, Jeweler and Interactive design. There are also many higher education courses available, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Just some of the options include Applied Visual Imaging, Creative Technologies, Dance studies, Digital media, Dramatic arts, Fashion, Fine arts and Music. A Doctoral study is an option, with programmes available in design, fine arts, music and musical arts.

At the Undergraduate level, there is the opportunity to qualify as a Dental Therapist, Dental Hygienist or Professional Dentist. Dental Therapists provide children and adolescents with routine dental care and may refer clients to dentists for more specialized treatment. Dental hygienists treat gum diseases and educate people about caring for their teeth and gums to help them prevent oral diseases and maintain good oral health. Entry into both occupations requires a bachelor degree in oral health.

To qualify as a dentist, students must complete a five-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Otago. This includes an initial Health Sciences First Year, which is followed further by a four years of specialist dentistry study. The first year of study includes units in areas such as biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology, human health and physics. In later years, students learn more complex procedures.

To become a teacher in New Zealand, you must complete an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmed — generally at bachelor degree level — and register with the New Zealand Teachers Council. Teaching courses have strict English language proficiency requirements — are sure to check entry requirements before applying for programmes.

Bachelor degrees are available in education and teaching. Specializations range from Adult Education to Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary and Physical Education teaching. Double degrees are an option, providing an opportunity to qualify for teaching while also pursuing another interest (for example, a bachelor of arts combined with a bachelor of teaching). Graduate certificates and diplomas are also available, allowing students to explore specializations such as Special Education, Educational Management and Language teaching to adults and Sustainability and outdoor education. A graduate diploma can also qualify students to teach if they hold a bachelor degree in a field relevant to the school curriculum.

To become an engineering technician, you must complete an accredited two-year Diploma in engineering. Available specializations include Civil, Electrical and Mechanical engineering. To become an engineering technologist, you must complete a three-year accredited bachelor of engineering technology.

Professional engineers must complete a four-year bachelor degree in engineering. There are many specializations within these programmes, so your choice will be influenced by your specific field of interest — Aeronautical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Mining engineering are just some of the options. Professional engineers in New Zealand also have the opportunity to become Chartered Professional Engineers, which involves completing an assessment and paying an annual registration fee.

English language courses range in length from short courses that last only for a few weeks to a year-long diploma. You may choose to study a General English course, which teaches students a variety of English skills, including reading, writing, listening and speaking. Some courses are designed to prepare students for further study at a tertiary level by focusing on academic English skills. Other courses help prepare students for English exams, such as IELTS, Cambridge, TOEFL, and TOEIC.

You may also choose to study English through a study tour, which will allow you to visit some of New Zealand’s best attractions and improve your English language skills at the same time. Courses are usually available at a variety of levels, from beginner to advance.

At Undergraduate level, the most popular study option is the Bachelor of Health Science. This is a general health programme that offers students an in-depth understanding of health care, while also providing a range of specializations. Although many students choose to study the general health science stream, specializations such as Counseling, Environmental health, Health education, Health promotion and Public health are also available. In addition, you can try out a Clinical specialization such as Nursing or Midwifery (see the Nursing profile), Occupational therapy, Oral health (see the Dentistry profile), Par medicine, Physiotherapy and Podiatry. Specializations and courses vary greatly between institutions.

Postgraduate programmes provide an opportunity for students to undertake research or pursue a new specialization after completing a related degree, such as science or health science. There are many options available, from postgraduate certificate to research level, in areas such as Emergency Management, Health Sciences, Medical Science, Optometry, Public health, Physical activity and Nutrition, Speech and language therapy, and Rehabilitation.

Humanities and social science can be studied at all qualification levels, from basic certificates to postgraduate research. Because programmes generally do not lead to regulated professions, units and majors are quite similar at all levels of study. You can expect to study just about any field within humanities programme (the most common being certificates, diplomas and degrees in arts), from Ancient history, Anthropology, Criminology, Linguistics and Media studies to Philosophy, Politics, Sociology, Women’s studies and writing. Language study is also quite popular, allowing the students to study a language (usually as a major within a general arts programme) or a specialized area such as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Double degrees (also known as ‘conjoint’ degrees) are very popular. These programmes allow students to combine humanities and social sciences programme with another discipline. Students choose double degrees for many reasons: because they want a broad education, combining contrasting disciplines such as arts and science because they have two distinct interests and want to study both, such as arts and business or because they want to combine the humanities with a professional field such as law.

To practice law in New Zealand, you need to have a law degree from an accredited university, complete practical legal training through a course administered by the Institute of Professional Legal Studies or the College of Law New Zealand, be admitted to the roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand and hold a current practicing certificate from the New Zealand Law Society.

In New Zealand, students are usually admitted to the second year of a bachelor of laws (LLB) based on results achieved in first-year introductory courses. It is possible to combine law with studies in arts, science, commerce or even medicine through a double degree.

At postgraduate level, most programmes are designed for those who already hold a law degree and wish to gain further knowledge in a specialized area or pursue research in the same field. For graduates of other fields, there are selected numbers of programmes that offer a basic grounding in law that can be applied to other disciplines; however to practice law graduates will still need to complete an LLB.

Vocational programmes in this field are limited and are usually designed for students wishing to pursue further study at diploma or degree level. These courses provide a useful bridging option if you are looking to pursue an area of study that requires high-level mathematics. Within mathematics programmes, there is an opportunity to study Applied mathematics (including probability, differential equations and vector calculus), Pure mathematics (including differential and integral calculus, number theory and geometry) and Statistics.

Combining a mathematics course with studies in computer science and IT engineering or science through the completion of a double degree is a popular option for many students and may be beneficial when it comes time to find a job. You may also combine mathematics study with education and training programme if you would like to qualify to work as a teacher in a primary or secondary school. At postgraduate level, many mathematics students choose to pursue research in this field.

Entry into medical programme is very competitive. Undergraduate medical students must first complete the Health Sciences First Year at the University of Otago or the University of Auckland. Applicants must also appear the Undergraduate Medical and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) in the year of application. Following the completion of the first year of study, students must pass other tests and may also need to attend an interview.

The next step involves five additional years of specialized study to gain a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). Entry is determined by academic performance in the first year of study. In the final year of study, medical students are based in hospitals and work as Trainee Interns. Graduates then complete clinical placements for two years as ‘House Officers’, which helps them to decide which area they would like to pursue further. House Officer training then lead to employment as a registrar, during which students undertake intensive study and research to become a specialist.

Nursing can be studied at all qualification levels, but the qualification completed will determine whether you can work as a nurse assistant, an enrolled nurse or a registered nurse (sometimes known as a ‘graduate nurse’).

Vocational programmes include certificates in nursing, which allow graduates to work as nurse assistants, and diplomas in enrolled nursing. Enrolled nurses work under the direction and supervision of registered nurses. There is also the opportunity to train as nursing support and care worker by completing a certificate in Health, Disability and Aged support (health assistants).

To become a registered nurse, you must complete a Bachelor degree in nursing. This three-years programme – either a bachelor of nursing or a bachelor of health sciences (nursing) – combine theoretical study and clinical experience, allowing students to enter the nursing profession. Enrolled nurses may be admitted into bachelor degrees with advanced standing, providing a pathway to work as a registered nurse.

Science courses in New Zealand cover a wide range of study areas. Programmes at vocational certificate and diploma level often fall under laboratory skills or applied science and provide students with the practical skills required for positions such as a laboratory technician. These courses may also offer a pathway to further study at the undergraduate level by providing students with a basic grounding in scientific knowledge and principles.

At undergraduate level, students can choose from a wide variety of subject areas. Along with the traditional disciplines of chemistry, physics and biology, courses are also offered in areas such as biomedical science, conservation, marine studies, food technology, geology and meteorology. Programmes are usually offered as a general applied science or science degree, but there is much room for specialization when it comes to choosing subjects.

At Undergraduate level, you can choose from programmers in addiction studies, social work, counseling and human services. You’ll find that there are also a number of social and community services specializations available within arts or humanities degrees. Postgraduate social and community services programmes are available at Postgraduate certificate, Postgraduate diploma and Masters and at Doctoral level. There are two types of courses available at postgraduate level — those that allow students who already hold relevant qualifications to gain further knowledge in a specialized area and those that allow students with backgrounds in other fields to gain the qualifications needed for practice in social work or counseling. There is also the opportunity for research.

Although registration of social workers and counselors in New Zealand is not compulsory, employers are more likely to hire those who are registered with the relevant associations. To become a Registered New Zealand Social Worker to gain membership to the Social Workers Registration Board. Membership requires an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in social work or applied for social work from a recognized institution, as well as a Competence Certificate, which requires the completion of a competence assessment.

There are a variety of specializations available in this field, from business courses in sports management to the more science-based programmes in sport and exercise science. There are also courses in fitness, personal training, sports coaching, and outdoor education and recreation.

Courses in areas such as outdoor education, personal training and fitness are widely available at certificate and diploma level. At university level, specializations in sports, leisure and recreation are often found within business degrees, with majors in sports management or coaching, or science degrees, with a focus on sports and exercise science. That said, it is possible to study a bachelor of sport and recreation at many institutions. Opportunities for research exist at postgraduate level, as do possibilities for further study in areas such as sports management and sport science.

Courses in this field cover a broad range of specializations – from tourism, hospitality and hotel management to programmes in professional chef practice and cookery. A number of more specialised programmes have also emerged in recent years that reflect New Zealand’s unique natural environment and tourism industry. You’ll find specializations in areas as diverse as Adventure tourism, Ecotourism, Marine tourism and Snow Sport instructing.

Vocational programmes at certificate or diploma level usually focus on providing students with the practical training and skills needed for specific professions, such as a chef, tour guide or travel agent. programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level often have a greater focus on the business side of the industry, and you’ll find many that deliver training for tourism or hospitality management. There are also opportunities to combine studies in tourism and hospitality with areas such as business, management, marketing and environmental studies, depending on your specific interests and career aspirations. This may be through a particular specialization within tourism or hospitality programme or by completing a double degree.