About the course

Boost your professional development with a customisable qualification that you can shape to suit your career goals.

Warning

This programme may not be suitable for you as an international student, for one or more of the following reasons:

The qualification is available only through part-time study.
The qualification is delivered by distance or online modes.
The content is mostly specific to the New Zealand context.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss an alternative programme in your field of interest, contact the International Office.

Give your career a major boost

Unleash your professional potential and pursue your passions with our Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies (PGCertPS). Choose from more than 1,000 postgraduate courses offered at the University to build a qualification that suits your study background and career goals—whether you’re looking to upskill, fill gaps in your knowledge, or move into a new field.

Broad or focused study—the choice is yours

You have the flexibility to choose courses from across the University to build a customised qualification. Choose to focus on one of six areas—Architecture and Design Innovation; Business and Government; Data Science and Statistics; Health; Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; or Science—or keep your qualification broad and pursue your own unique course of study across multiple subject areas. With the option of studying part time, you can progress at a pace that suits you, while enjoying full access to the University’s vibrant learning environment.

Choose from six optional areas of focus

The PGCertPS is a flexible qualification that allows you to pursue advanced study by choosing almost any combination of postgraduate courses offered at the University. But, if you prefer, you can focus your study in one of six areas.

Architecture and Design Innovation

Embark on a transformative journey with Architecture and Design Innovation—one that will shape your future and redefine how you perceive the world. Study with us if you want to gain the technical knowledge and skills demanded by the construction and design industries.

You’ll be part of a community of forward-thinkers, innovators, and creators. If you want to dive into a specific area of professional interest, you have nine options to choose from:

Built Heritage
Building Compliance
Construction Management
Critical Design Studies
Design Practice in Aotearoa
Digital Tools and Visualisation
User Experience Design Foundations
Sustainable Buildings
Urban Policy and Economics

Business and Government

Whether your goal is to enhance your career prospects, bridge knowledge gaps, or embark on a new path, the Wellington School of Business and Government offers a diverse selection of courses to suit your needs.

Explore our offerings in areas such as public policy and public management, global business, digital transformation, professional accounting, and business administration.

Data Science and Statistics

Statistics and Data Science provide valuable insights into the world around us. They have applications in diverse fields, ranging from finance and ecosystem conservation to astrophysics, marketing, healthcare, agriculture, and linguistics.

Explore a wide range of courses, including data analysis, machine learning, statistical modelling, artificial intelligence, and data visualisation. Dive into the world of data and equip yourself with the tools to navigate today’s data-driven landscape.

Health

Health impacts everyone. Whether you are seeking specific knowledge to apply in your professional role or want to understand how health intersects with other issues, you’ll benefit from an advanced understanding of health issues.

Choose from a diverse range of courses—from health promotion to hauora Māori, Pacific health to diversity in healthcare, health and safety management to health leadership.

Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences is a rich and diverse area of the University. Musicians and filmmakers sit alongside criminologists and historians. Philosophers and classics scholars speak to experts in media and communications.

Here, you can pursue your interest in Māori studies, Pacific cultures, creative writing, or languages. Or you can explore anthropology, sociology, or theatre—or politics and international relations. Our breadth of courses offers unrivalled opportunities to progress your future.

Science

Science is the answer to solving many of the world’s most pressing issues. Whether you want to understand the inner workings of disease or what drives behaviours, develop the skills to communicate science effectively, become a leader in protecting our natural world, or drive new technological developments—we have the courses for you.

We offer courses across the physical and social sciences—giving you the chance to expand your career options and build on your skills.

Download a postgraduate handbook

Check out our programmes on offer and find course fees, apply dates, and scholarships related to your area of interest. Fill in a form to download our handbooks.

Fees depend on your selection of courses

The programme fee indicated in the card above is only a rough estimate. Your actual fee total will depend on which courses you choose to make up your PGCertPS.

You can estimate your total fees by adding up the fees indicated on each individual course page. Explore our postgraduate course offerings on the Course finder page.

Get in touch with us

Fill in the form so we can put you in touch with an academic adviser from your area of interest.

Build your own customised qualification

The Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies is uniquely flexible. You can custom-build your own bespoke qualification by choosing from more than 1,000 postgraduate courses taught at the University.

Use our course finder to explore all of the postgraduate courses available here at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

1,800

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington offers over 1,800 postgraduate courses in a diverse range of subjects.

Optionally add an area of focus

The PGCertPS puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes to choosing your courses. You don’t have to choose a main area of focus, but we do offer the option of focussing on one of six areas: Architecture and Design Innovation; Business and Government; Data Science and Statistics; Health; Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; or Science.

Each of our faculties at Victoria University of Wellington has a webpage with more information about their version of the PGCertPS:

To explore your options, use our form to get in touch with the academic coordinator from your chosen area.

Entry requirements

Domestic entry requirements

Bachelor's degree and two years of relevant work experience.

English language requirements

You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.

About the provider

Victoria University of Wellington, full name Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, was founded in 1897 and is one of New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious universities. The University is located in the heart of New Zealand’s vibrant capital city and its three city campuses are all within easy walking distance of one another, as well as local attractions, shopping districts, and cafés.

The University’s central location gives students access to a variety of national organisations in the areas of business, government, politics, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industry, as well as the science and technology communities. Wellington is a compact city where students can easily explore nature trails, beaches, galleries, museums, and events. It is multicultural, safe, friendly, and has a reputation for great food and coffee—it regularly ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Victoria University of Wellington at a glance

Top 1% of the world's universities for research quality and teaching
170+ subjects
20 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate programmes
40+ research institutes and 4 libraries
3,000 of our 17,000 students are international students, from 120+ countries
130+ clubs and societies
5+ stars from the latest QS Stars Rating of Excellence
#1 in New Zealand for research intensity (in the latest assessment of the Performance-Based Research Fund)
Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of commerce faculties worldwide that hold the Triple Crown of international accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA
Top 2% of the world’s universities (QS World University Rankings 2026)
Top 100 in the world in 7 subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Graduate outcomes*

Of the graduates who responded that they are currently working full time, 91% were employed prior to or within 6 months of degree completion.
67% were in full-time employment.

*Based on those who completed the 2023–2024 Graduate Destinations Survey.

Entry requirements

To study at Victoria University of Wellington, international students need:

a good command of the English language
a good record of academic achievement.

Entry requirements are provided under each programme. The University considers each student’s academic and English-language background when assessing applications. If a student doesn’t meet entry requirements, our team can help them meet their study goals.

If a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements for:

English language - Students can apply for our English for Academic Purposes programme
Undergraduate study - Students can apply for our Foundation Studies programme
Postgraduate study - Students can talk to us to help build a pathway to their degree

Student support

The University offers complete support for students through a range of wellbeing and learning services. These include a specialised international team that is dedicated to supporting students during their studies, which helps international students meet new friends and settle into university and Wellington life.

Some of the support services include:

dedicated international student orientation and events
a free arrival meeting service at the airport
the International Buddy Programme, where you get paired with a ‘buddy’ from the get-go

Students can make the most of the many opportunities to get involved in different communities, embrace new experiences, and develop skills for their future careers. The university encourages all students to develop strong global citizenship skills through their studies and extracurricular programmes such as the Kitea Impact Programme, which is also free to join.

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External links

Provider's course page

Course details