Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
- Degree Structure - Start In
- Semester 1 (February)
60
Overview
Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
For those wanting to add counselling theory and skills to their health or education profession, the Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies (PGCertCounSt) will provide the knowledge and practice to enhance your professional helping skills with a range of clients, students, or colleagues.
The PGCertCounSt is also an ideal pathway into applying for the Master of Counselling, a degree which enables graduates to obtain provisional membership with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
Study on campus or online
You can study this qualification on campus or through UC Online. The online qualification follows different term dates and has a more prescribed course list.
Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
To qualify for entry to the PGCertCounSt, you will need to have completed an Aotearoa New Zealand bachelor’s degree with a B Grade Point Average or higher in your 300-level courses, or equivalent, and be approved to enrol.
If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's Postgraduate language requirements. See how to provide your English language evidence to UC. If you need help meeting these requirements, or would like to practise your English skills before studying, UC offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language programmes.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies or use the admission requirements checker.
How to apply
You can apply online at myUC for the on-campus version, or through Tuihono UC | UC Online for the online version.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
The two courses that make up to Certificate (COUN671 and COUN681) can be taken through the on-campus option or through Tuihono | UC Online. Both options cover the same learning content and meet the same learning outcomes, but they differ in how teaching and learning are structured.
Each on-campus course runs across the full academic year (February–October) with approximately eight on-campus block teaching days per course, with independent reading and assessment work undertaken in between, requiring around 10 hours of study per course per week.
Courses run with Tuihono | UC Online run over 18 weeks, with the option to start in February or July, and feature weekly self-directed learning modules with lecturer support, some synchronous Zoom sessions, and between two to four on-campus block teaching days, with an expected workload of around 18 hours per week per course.
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies.
Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
Domestic students
2025 tuition fee estimate: $4,853 (60 points)
2026 tuition fee estimate: $5,144 (60 points)
International students
2025 tuition fee estimate: $21,900 (60 points)
2026 tuition fee estimate: $22,650 (60 points)
2027 tuition fee estimate: $23,800 (60 points)
Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
UC also offers a Master of Counselling for those wanting provisional membership with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
While this Certificate naturally provides foundational knowledge and skills towards a career as a counsellor, graduates will also find their skills useful as nurse aides, and in areas such as community mental health providers, schools, rest homes, and services working with people with special needs.
Skills in counselling are also useful for other education, health, and civil service professions.
Useful information:
- Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student stories.
- Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers, or find a job.
- For research into career destinations by qualification, visit Te Pōkai Tara | Universities New Zealand website.
- Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.
- Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.
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