Upskill in Intercultural Communication
Earn the Intercultural Communication skills that employers seek. Our Postgraduate Certificate gives you foundational intercultural communications knowledge.
This qualification is an ideal pathway from your undergraduate degree to further postgraduate studies in cross-cultural communication, applied translation, or linguistics. It also suits you if you’re exploring a language services career or need focused translation skills for your current role.
Throughout, you’ll learn from the University’s experts in cross-cultural translation and language studies. They’ll help you master intercultural communication theory and practical communication strategies and tools.
Discover Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation
Who can study for this qualification
The PGCertICAT is the choice for you if:
- you need to upskill in a niche area of Intercultural communications—for example, to meet the requirements of your role
- you’re interested in exploring the Intercultural Communications field before committing to a longer postgraduate qualification.
The PGCertICAT is the minimum qualification needed to be eligible to sit National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI) certification exams.
Ways to enter this Certificate
We have a flexible approach to enrolment in the PGCertICAT. To enrol, you need an advanced ability in a language other than English, and either:
- a Bachelor's degree with at least a B average in a relevant subject
- professional experience that is equivalent to academic study at 300-level.
If you don’t meet these requirements, you can ask for an interview with the programme director, who will decide whether you have the background and ability to complete the course of study.
Our qualifications
We offer three Postgraduate Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation qualifications. These are staircased so that courses completed for each qualification can count towards the next step.
The Master of Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation provides the most comprehensive study as it combines coursework with a work placement and practical translation project.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation has in-depth study over four courses, but no work placement or translation project.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation is an opportunity for professional development over two courses.
What you’ll learn
You will choose from courses that give you:
- a theoretical and practical understanding of translation across cultures in both local and global settings, with Aotearoa New Zealand as a case study
- lessons in how culture is expressed in different linguistic and cultural contexts
- advanced understanding of cross-cultural communication processes and their effects, including within professional settings
- practical instruction in translation and interpretation by applying linguistic and translation theories
- insights into the creative production and critical evaluation of different types of translation.
In some cases, you may be able to substitute other courses from a variety of related disciplines.
Learn computer-assisted translation technology
Within the PGCertICAT, you can choose courses that give you experience with computer-assisted translation environments and tools, including translation memory, captioning software, and AI. You’ll explore how language professionals can add value and subtlety to these technologies.
How you’ll study
The PGCertICAT is a 60-point, two-course qualification. You’ll learn solely through coursework—there is no research component.
Your courses are delivered through a series of lectures that you attend in person or online. The course materials, and many of the lectures, will be fully available online.
To meet the requirements of the Certificate you must complete two courses worth 60 points in total from a selection of four core courses. You can substitute other Communications courses for some of these if the programme director agrees.
A flexible qualification
Our PGCertICAT gives you options to suit your goals and commitments.
- You can choose when your study begins. You can start at the beginning of Trimester 1 or Trimester 2—and even at the start of Trimester 3, with the programme director’s approval.
- You can study full time or part time. If you’re studying full time, you will complete the certificate in a single trimester. If you’re a domestic student, you can study part time over two trimesters.
International students cannot study for this qualification part time.
Workload
The average workload for each course is about 15 hours per week, including lectures, workshops, and self-directed study.
Studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week.
Designed for part-time study
If you're a domestic student, you can study part time and complete the Postgraduate Certificate over two trimesters.
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.
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 PGCertICAT shall have:
(i) completed a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, with a B grade average or better; and
(ii) completed at least 40 300-level points in a language other than English, with a B grade average or better; and
(iii) been accepted by the MICAT programme director as capable of completing the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement a(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.
(c) Requirement a(ii) may be waived by the head of school for a candidate who has demonstrated at least the equivalent language competence.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGCertICAT
2. A candidate who completes 60 approved points from the schedule to the MICAT Regulations, may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation.
3. (a) A candidate shall normally be enrolled for at least one trimester, and complete the degree within two years of first enrolling.
(b) The associate dean may extend the maximum period in 3(a) in special cases.
Achieve NAATI certification
All our Postgraduate Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation qualifications are endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI).
All interpreters working for government agencies or government funded agencies must now be certified by NAATI.
To find out more about this requirement and for professional development opportunities targeted at NAATI certification exams, visit:
Once you’ve completed any of our postgraduate qualifications, you can apply directly to NAATI to sit certification.
Future careers
This qualification gives you deeper expertise in Intercultural Communication that will help you perform in roles within linguistics and translation. It’s also useful for content strategy work, technical writing, or language technology development.
The PGCertICAT is a great way to boost your skills for your current role, or to expand your options in a new area. It’s ideal if you need a short and flexible study option to fit into your schedule.
The Certificate is also a good entry to the field if you’re interested in postgraduate study at Master’s level.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
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.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
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.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
-
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.
-
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.
-
This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
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.
Why Wellington
Wellington is a ideal place to study for the MICAT. It’s cultural diversity brings access to many language communities—such as Māori, Pacific, and Asian languages—for practical experience.
It also hosts government agencies, NGOs, and international organisations that offer opportunities for networking and internships.
Because Wellington is the seat of government, you’ll have opportunities for political, diplomatic, and governmental translation work once you graduate.
Further research or study
If you do well in your PGCertICAT, you could apply to transfer to a Postgraduate Diploma of Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation (PGDipICAT). The courses you take in the Certificate count towards the requirements for the Diploma, so you wouldn’t have to repeat those courses.
From there, it is also possible to move up to the MICAT once you’ve met the Diploma course requirements. Many professional interpreters have started with the PGCertICAT and then finished with the MICAT in this way.
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.