Expand your skills in nursing
Designed for registered nurses, this qualification will deepen your knowledge and expand your skills, critical thinking, and professional confidence.
You will learn how to bring together theory, practice, and research to improve nursing care for patients and their whānau.
Our courses are designed to meet the demands of modern nursing practice. They help you build a deeper understand of pathophysiology, advanced nursing care, and current issues in the profession.
Who can study for this qualification
To study for the PGCertNS, you need to be a registered nurse with a current practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand. You’ll also need a New Zealand Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent overseas qualification.
Your study level will depend on your academic background and career goals. You will first enrol in the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing Science, then progress to the Diploma and Master of Nursing Science.
How you’ll study
Most courses are made up of several in-person ‘block schools’, with each block held over one to four days. They’re a mix of lectures, tutorials and small group activities that give you time to study and access to staff for advice and guidance. Some courses are also entirely online.
The schools are a great opportunity for you to network with your peers and other health care experts—to share ideas and strategies for learning, identify areas for change, and assess your progress.
Throughout your research, classwork, and clinical experience, our academic team will support and work with you.
Workload
As a guide, for each 30-point course you take at the School, you should allocate around 10 hours per point for self-directed study, research, assessments, and attendance at schools.
If you’re studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 hours of study time a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing one course per trimester will need to allocate approximately 20 hours of study a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working full time.
Study while you work
Our part-time programme options make it easy for you to learn while you’re working. We’ll help you integrate academic life with work and family through our flexible delivery models that allow you to learn at home or on campus.
The distance component supported by the University’s online learning environment, Nuku, forms part of your courses and supports the development of the content delivered in the School.
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) A candidate for the PGCertNS shall be a New Zealand registered nurse and, before enrolment, shall have:
(i) completed a degree of a tertiary institution in New Zealand; and
(ii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Health for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGCertNS
2. (a) A candidate who passes two approved courses from Part 1 of the MNS and does not proceed further may be awarded a PGCertNS.
(b) At the discretion of the head of school, a candidate who holds a PGCertNS or may subsequently credit those courses to the PGDipNS.
3. (a) A candidate for the PGCertNS shall normally be enrolled for at least one trimester and shall complete the certificate within two years of first enrolling for it.
3. (b) The associate dean may extend the maximum period in special cases.
Transfer of credit
6. Where candidates have completed postgraduate study in nursing, health, or midwifery or equivalent at another New Zealand university or polytechnic, with an average grade of at least B, the Associate Dean may, on the recommendation of the head of school, permit transfer credit of courses credited to that qualification as follows: up to 30 points in the PGCertNS.
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
Postgraduate study improves your ability to deliver positive health care experiences to patients, whānau/families and communities. If you are considering a clinical management or leadership role, these qualifications (PGCertNS, PGDipNS, or MNS) will raise your clinical and research skills and knowledge so you can facilitate better health outcomes and improve effective management of complex health care.
More career information
Find out more about nursing 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. 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 Nursing Science
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
Scholarships for international students
We are 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 Nursing Science
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
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.
Further study or research
Our qualifications are designed with a ‘building block’ approach, as each qualification can lead on to the next one. Although the postgraduate certificate and diploma are standalone qualifications, they can also count towards the Master of Nursing Science. If you want to continue your studies, we’ll support you all in the 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.