About our qualifications

Whether you're thinking of just doing one or two courses, or aiming for a full qualification, it helps to understand how study works and what you could work towards. 

We offer a range of qualifications to suit different goals and learning needs:

• Certificates – Levels 2 through to 5 (usually 40 to 80 credits)
• Diplomas – Levels 5 and 6 (usually 120 credits)
• Degrees – Level 7 (usually 360 credits)
• Graduate Certificates and Diplomas – Level 7 (60 to 120 credits)
• Micro-credentials – Levels 3 to 7 with a smaller number of credits.

Find the study option that's right for you

Or you could choose our Course Only study option which lets you study one or two courses to build your skills without enrolling in a full study programme. This can prepare you for further study or be part of your professional development.

Our learners tell us their study makes a real difference.

Courses, credits and qualifications

A qualification is made up of different courses, and the number of courses needed depends on how many credits the qualification has. Courses have credits based on how much study you will need to do. As a guide one credit is about 10 hours of study time.  

So for certificates, diplomas and degrees made up of 15 credit courses:

• A 60-credit Certificate = four courses
• A 120-credit Diploma = eight courses
• A 360-credit Degree = 24 courses. 
  
  

How long will it take?

How long it will take to complete a qualification is up to you and depends on:

• The qualification you choose
• How many courses you do at a time
• How you schedule your courses.

With online learning you have the flexibility to study part-time or full-time. You can study courses one after the other or have gaps in between. You can plan your study around what suits your life and other commitments such as work and whanau.

If you study part time

• Certificate – may take around one year
• Diploma – may take around two years
• Degree – may take six or seven years.
  
  

If you study full-time (around 40 hours a week)

• Certificate – may take around five months
• Diploma – may take around one year
• Degree – may take around three years.
  
  

To help you think about how much study you can fit in to your life, try our time calculator:

How much time will you need

Our qualifications will support your career and study goals

We want your study to make a real difference to your future. 

That’s why we develop our programmes with input from industry and professional bodies. This helps to make sure you’re learning the skills needed in today’s workforce. 

Our programmes are also accredited and recognised by relevant professional bodies.