Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
- Degree Structure - Start In
- Semester 1 (February)
Gain knowledge and practice to enhance your professional helping skills.
60
For those wanting to add counselling theory and skills to their health or education profession, the Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies (PGCertCounSt) will provide the knowledge and practice to enhance your professional helping skills with a range of clients, students, or colleagues.
The PGCertCounSt is also an ideal pathway into applying for the Master of Counselling, a degree which enables graduates to obtain provisional membership with the New ƵappAssociation of Counsellors (NZAC).
You can study either on campus or exclusively online. The online programme follows different term dates and has a more prescribed course list.
To qualify for entry to the PGCertCounSt, you will need to have completed an Aotearoa New Ƶappbachelor’s degree with a B Grade Point Average or higher in your 300-level courses, or equivalent, and be approved to enrol.
If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements. If you need help meeting these requirements, or would like to practise your English skills before studying, UC offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language programmes.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies or use the .
You can apply online at for the on-campus version, or through for the online version.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling studies includes 60 points of compulsory courses.
The Certificate can be completed in 1–2 years part-time.
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies.
You can study either on campus or exclusively online. The online programme follows different term dates and has a more prescribed course list.
Complete the following courses:
2025 tuition fee estimate: $4,853(60 points)
2026 tuition fee estimate:$5,144 (60 points)
2025 tuition fee estimate:$21,900 (60 points)
2026 tuition fee estimate:$22,650 (60 points)
2027 tuition fee estimate:$23,800 (60 points)
Tuition fees vary for each course, depending on the subject area and course level, so your final total may differ from the estimates provided above. Select your coursesin the Fees Estimator to calculate your total tuition costs.
2025 SSL: $9.72 per point ($583.20 for 60 points)
2026 SSL: $10.30 per point ($618.00 per 60 points)
UC also offers a Master of Counselling for those wanting provisional membership with the New ƵappAssociation of Counsellors (NZAC).
While this Certificate naturally provides foundational knowledge and skills towards a career as a counsellor, graduates will also find their skills useful as nurse aides, and in areas such as community mental health providers, schools, rest homes, and services working with people with special needs.
Skills in counselling are also useful for other education, health, and civil service professions.
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