Programme overview
Please note: Updates are being made to the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation. A new version is scheduled to start in semester 1, 2025. When applying please be aware that you will automatically be enrolled into the new version called the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways. once your application is complete.
Programme content has been updated with some new courses added. The programme structure, criteria and outcomes will remain the same, and successful completion will allow you to progress into higher level programmes.
Start your journey into higher education or employment with the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3). This program equips you with practical skills, confidence, and knowledge to pursue further studies or step into the workforce. While it’s not equivalent to NCEA Level 3, successful completion will open doors to higher-level programs.
Highlights
- Supportive Environment: Learn in a welcoming setting with supportive, knowledgeable lecturers.
- Skills for Success: Gain study skills, foundational knowledge, and confidence for further study and the workplace.
- Engaging Learning Methods: Experience group and individual work, seminars, debates, whānau hui, and self-directed learning.
- Pathway to Higher-Level Programs: Successfully complete this certificate and apply for higher-level programs.
To complete this programme you need to pass four courses, totalling 60 credits. Each course is worth 15 credits.
Please note: International students who graduate will NOT be eligible for a post-study work visa upon completion of this programme.
Pathways to Further Study
Upon completing this certificate, you’ll have a pathway to study in fields such as:
- Architecture and architectural technology
- Art and Design
- Business
- Computing
- Construction management and quantity surveying
- Early childhood education
- Engineering (electrical and civil)
- Environmental and animal sciences
- Land surveying
- Nursing and medical imaging
- Screen arts, acting, and technical production
- Social work and community development
- Sport, exercise and recreation
- Trades (automotive, mechanical, carpentry, plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying)
After applying, we’ll connect with you to understand your career goals and guide you on course selection.
Skills Review Session
To ensure you’re enrolled in the right courses, we conduct a skills review session, including online quizzes to assess reading, writing, and math skills. Our team will work with you to identify the best courses, setting you up for success.
Youth Guarantee Scheme
If you are between 16 and 19 years old and did not achieve NCEA Level 2 at high school, you may be eligible to study for free for one year under the Youth Guarantee Scheme. We have up to 60 places available. To see if you qualify, take a look at the scholarship page here: Youth Guarantee Scheme.
Pathways
In order to best prepare you for further study, the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) offers six pathways designed to equip you with the skills you need to progress into your choice of higher-level programmes.
Engineering & Construction
The courses in this pathway are appropriate for Engineering, Construction Management, Land Surveying, Quantity Surveying or similar.
Course selection will be discussed after the Skills Review, will include:
- Academic Study Skills (Engineering & Construction)
- Physics
- Developing Mathematical Thinking
- Understanding Algebra
General - Mount Albert
Includes Art & Design, Architecture, Business, Computing, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Trades and Science.
Students interested in these or similar pathways, or who are not sure of their career pathway, will be offered the following:
- Academic Study Skills (General)
- Foundation Maths
- Numeracy Skills
- Developing Mathematical Thinking
- Projects in Creative Arts
- Understanding Algebra
- Bioscience
- Introduction to Business
- Psychology
- Art and Design
- Introduction to Computing Skills
General - Waitākere
Includes Science and Health.
Students interested in these or similar pathways, will be offered the following:
- Academic Study Skills (General)
- Bioscience
- Psychology
- Foundation Maths
- Nursing Maths
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
For this programme, you will need the following:
- 8 credits at NCEA Level 1 in English (4 in reading, 4 in writing);
- If you don't have NCEA, we will also accept a relevant qualification at Level 2 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework or above or an equivalent qualification;
- A minimum of 3 years' secondary education;
- Be at least 16 years old by the time the programme begins.
English requirements
If English is your second language, you will need one or more of the following:
- Have achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University entrance
- Be able to provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency
- Have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years
If you don’t meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available, depending on your current level of ability.
If you don’t meet these requirements, you may still apply under special or discretionary entrance.
Skills review
You may be asked to come to a Skills Review session either online or at our Mt Albert campus. During this session, we will check your current reading, writing and maths skills and will give you the opportunity to talk to our friendly academic staff about your job plans and you can find out more about what Unitec can offer you. You can book your Skills review session here.
For advice about your career and study options, contact one of our friendly advisors at our Careers Centre.
For more information download the programme regulations:
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.
