Upskill your chemistry knowledge for new opportunities
Enhance your undergraduate degree with scientific training sought after in industries related to chemistry.
Learn more about organic, inorganic, or physical chemistry. Develop your understanding of hazardous substances and laboratory safety.
The Postgraduate Chemistry in Chemistry (PGCertChem) will open career opportunities in a range of fields, and can also be the first step before higher study.
Who can study for this qualification
To study for the PGCertChem, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree with a B grade—preferably in chemistry or a closely related area, like:
- chemical biology
- chemical engineering
- chemical physics
- environmental chemistry
- medicinal chemistry
- materials science.
What you’ll learn
You'll study advanced chemistry alongside professional and interdisciplinary subjects. You’ll take part in lectures, tutorials, workshops, and seminars.
You’ll have access to modern laboratory and computational learning environments, and you’ll work closely with staff and external partners.
How you’ll study
You'll study for the 60-point PGCertChem by coursework. Studying full time, you’ll complete it in a single trimester.
You’ll study through a combination of assignments, group work projects, oral presentations, a written research project report, term tests, written examinations, workplace reports, and self-reflections.
You’ll complete five courses that cover safety and fundamental chemistry knowledge.
You’ll also take one elective courses from a range of subjects, including:
- Chemistry
- Education
- Government and Policy
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Science Communication
- other 400-level science courses.
Our postgraduate Chemistry qualifications
We offer three postgraduate Chemistry qualifications. These are ‘staircased’ so that courses completed for each qualification can count towards the next step.
- The Master of Chemistry provides the most comprehensive study as it includes eight courses and choice of internship, research project, or dissertation.
- The Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry has in-depth study over eight courses.
- The Postgraduate Certificate in Chemistry is an opportunity for specialised professional development and can be a step towards higher study. It includes four courses.
Part-time study options
Studying part time, you can complete the PGCertChem over a maximum of 1 year.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the PGCertChem degree shall have:
(i) completed a bachelor’s degree with an average grade of at least B in Chemistry or a closely related subject or, at the discretion of the Head of School, an equivalent qualification; and
(ii) been accepted by the Head of School or their nominee as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) for a candidate who has extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGCertChem
2. The course of study for the PGCertChem shall consist of courses worth 60 points, consisting of:
(i) 45 points from CHEM 401–479, Hazardous Substances and Laboratory Safety (CHEM 481);
(ii) 15 further approved points from the schedules to the MChem, BSc(Hons), MDDD, MEnvSc, or from CHEM 401–479, Hazardous Substances and Laboratory Safety (CHEM 481), Research Preparation (CHEM 580), International Education: Issues and trends in policy, theory and practice (EDUC 504)–553, Government and Governing (GOVT 501)–543, Principles of Health and Safety Management (HLWB 507)–512, Science Communication (SCIS 410)–439.
3. (a) A candidate for the PGCertChem shall normally be enrolled for at least one trimester and shall complete the degree within two years of first enrolling.
(b) A student transferring from another qualification shall be deemed to have commenced the PGCertChem on the date of first enrolment in a course or courses credited to the qualification.
(e) In special cases, this period may be extended by the Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
4. A candidate who has been awarded the PGCertChem, or equivalent qualification shall abandon that qualification upon being awarded the PGDipChem.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Further postgraduate study
If you do well in your PGCertChem, you may go on to study the Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry or the Master of Chemistry. You wouldn’t need to repeat the coursework you did as part of the Certificate.
Future careers
Postgraduate Chemistry graduates find work in a many different industries and research organisations. You might also go into related fields like teaching, science writing, or patent law.
Your chemistry skills will be in demand with organisations working in food and wine production, cosmetics, and public research.
More career information
Find out more about careers in chemistry.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Science
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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The Brian Murray Fox Scholarship in History offers an opportunity to students who are intending to undertake their second, third or Honours year of their degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in the year following application.
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The Brian Murray Fox Scholarship in English Literature offers an opportunity to students who are intending to undertake their second, third or Honours year of their degree at Te Herenga Waka Victoria—University of Wellington in the year following application.
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Science
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This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
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This scholarship was established to encourage students to complete a major in Language Sciences at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, and continue to further study or careers in this field.
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Applicants must be of Pacific descent, be enrolled, or intending to enrol, in undergraduate or postgraduate studies, majoring in one or more of the following areas: Climate Change Science and Policy, Conservation Biology, Ecological Restoration, Ecology and Biodiversity, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, or Marine Conservation, and have a minimum GPA of GPA of 6.5. Applicants may be studying...
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.