Boost your knowledge of education
Launch a new career in education, or take the next step in your teaching or education career with the Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
Study part-time while you work, and choose courses that align with your interests and goals. You'll investigate learning and motivation, cultural perspectives in education, and contemporary educational issues.
The certificate suits working teachers and those in training or policy roles, and is an excellent way to upskill, shift your focus, or to try out postgraduate study.
Who can study for this qualification
If you’re thinking of a new career in education and you have relevant work experience and a good undergraduate degree, the Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a great choice. It’s also good if you are:
- already working in the education field and want to boost your expertise in a particular education discipline, and you need a flexible qualification you can fit around your work commitments
- a teacher who wants to add theoretical knowledge to strengthen their teaching practice.
This flexible qualification is ideal for educators and other professionals who want to deepen their understanding of educational theory, research, and practice.
And if you’re thinking about taking Education at postgraduate level, the Postgraduate Certificate in Education broadens your knowledge without you having to commit to a full Diploma or Master's programme.
What you’ll learn
Your postgraduate coursework will include subjects like psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology. You’ll deepen your understanding of how people learn and how education works in different contexts. to deepen your knowledge of, and skills in, education theory and practice.
This multidisciplinary approach helps you:
- understand how people learn, their cognitive development in the context of education, and how psychological factors interact with education systems
- analyse the social factors—like inequality, culture, ethnicity, class, gender, social stratification— that affect education
- understand the role of culture in education—for example, how beliefs, practices, identity, and indigenous knowledge shape learning, the curriculum, and community expectations
- learn how education shapes society.
How you’ll study
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a 60-point programme based on coursework—there is no research component. If education research is important to you, consider the Master of Education (MEd) instead.
Study in person and online
There are both face-to-face and online pathways. On-campus classes are held late in the afternoon or as block courses over several days or on weekends. The University offers many of these courses online or in blended form—often with the option to attend online.
Part- and full-time study options
If you’re a domestic student, you can study part time or full time.
The programme is flexible—you can take the required courses in a single trimester, or if you’re a domestic student, complete it over two trimesters part-time. You are generally expected to complete the qualification within 2 years of first enrolling in it (although the associate dean can extend this).
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 PGCertEd degree shall have:
(i) completed at an appropriate level (normally the equivalent of a B average) a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Education, Psychology, Teacher Education or a related discipline, or a Bachelor’s degree and teaching qualification approved by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, or, at the discretion of the Associate Dean (Academic), an equivalent qualification; and
(ii) been accepted by the associate dean.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the associate dean for a candidate who has completed a Bachelor’s degree and has produced evidence of sufficient educational training and experience to proceed with the proposed course of study.
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGCertEd
Qualification requirements
2. (a) The course of study for the PGCertEd shall comprise 60 points from the Schedule to the MEd, excluding Dissertation (EDUC 585).
(b) A candidate for the certificate shall normally complete the requirements within two years of first enrolling in it. The Associate Dean (Academic) may extend this period in special cases.
3. A candidate who has been awarded the PGCertEd shall abandon that qualification upon being awarded the PGDipEd.
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.
Future careers
A Postgraduate Certificate in Education develops your skills in research, writing, critical thinking and problem solving—essential skills for:
- research or policy work within a government organisation
- work in counselling, social services, or human resources.
More career information
Find out more about careers in education.
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.
Ministry of Education Study Awards
The Ministry of Education offers scholarships, awards, funding, and sabbaticals for people working in schools, allowing you to pursue graduate or postgraduate tertiary study.
You’ll find more information at www.education.govt.nz.
Summer Scholars Scheme
Summer Research Scholarships are a unique opportunity for students to gain experience in research over the summer trimester, as well as financial support for their studies. The student experiences working with established researchers on a specified project and gains insights into what studying for a research degree is like.
Scholarships for Education
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This scholarship has been established by a gift from Autism New Zealand to further its mission to empower the autistic and wider autism communities. The scholarship is designed to support Education and Educational Psychology Master’s by thesis students to undertake research evaluating early support for Autistic children.
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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This scholarship is open to any undergraduate or postgraduate student who is currently enrolled full-time in a degree majoring in Education. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, but where more than one top applicant consideration will be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
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 Education
-
This scholarship has been established by a gift from Autism New Zealand to further its mission to empower the autistic and wider autism communities. The scholarship is designed to support Education and Educational Psychology Master’s by thesis students to undertake research evaluating early support for Autistic children.
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This scholarship is open to any undergraduate or postgraduate student who is currently enrolled full-time in a degree majoring in Education. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, but where more than one top applicant consideration will be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
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.
The support networks at Victoria University of Wellington have been amazing, especially during those times when you feel a bit overwhelmed by study.
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.