Program Overview

New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) – Social Work

The New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways is designed to prepare students for further study in social work and community development. This programme is ideal for those who want to pursue a career in social work, providing them with the necessary literacy, numeracy, and leadership skills.

Programme Overview

This certificate programme is not equivalent to University Entrance, but successful completion will allow students to progress to higher-level programmes. Students will learn fundamental psychological concepts related to working with vulnerable members of society and best-practice health and wellbeing strategies to ensure a safe working environment.

Highlights

• Tailored content for Unitec's Bachelor of Social Practice
• Opportunity to be part of a Social Practice student body
• Collaborative project to develop skills needed for a career in social work
• Focus on inequality and social justice, and the development of ethical and professional abilities
• Mix of classroom sessions, practical activities, guest speakers, discussions, presentations, and online learning
• Opportunity to engage with Unitec's marae to explore mātauranga Māori and the role of culture in communication

Career Options

This programme prepares students for study toward a career in social work and community development.

Annual Tuition Fees

• Domestic/NZ students: $3,580 (approximate fees only, includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy)
• International students: $13,207 (NZD) (approximate fees for 60 credits)

Semester Dates

• Sem 1 2026: 23 Feb – 28 Jun
• Sem 2 2026: 20 Jul – 22 Nov

Admission Requirements

Domestic Students

To apply for this programme, domestic students must meet the following criteria:

• Academic requirements
• General admission, special admission, or discretionary admission requirements
• English language requirements
• Completion of a pre-entry Skills Review session

Academic Requirements

Students must meet one of the following:

• UE numeracy or equivalent
• A minimum total of 40 NCEA Level 2 credits across four approved subjects, including a minimum of 12 credits in English at Level 1 or higher and 12 credits in Science at Level 1 or higher
• A relevant qualification at Level 3 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) or an equivalent international qualification
• The New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3)

General Admission

• Students must be 16 years old or older when the programme starts
• If under 16, students must complete an Early Release Exemption form

Special Admission

• Students must be 20 years old or older when the programme starts
• Show evidence of work, life, or study experience
• Complete a pre-entry Skills review

Discretionary Admission

• Students are under 20 and do not meet the general admission requirements
• Level of preparedness for study at the required level will be reviewed, and students will undertake a Skills Review

International Students

International students must meet the same academic requirements as domestic students, with the addition of English language requirements:

• IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5, with no band lower than 5.5
• New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Applied) (Level 3) or an equivalent qualification

Courses and Timetables

Compulsory Courses

• Academic Skills for Science, Healthcare and Social Work (BPED4001) - 15.0 credits

Elective Courses

• Exploring Leadership (BECS4704) - 15.0 credits
• Human Biology for Healthcare (BEHC4403) - 15.0 credits
• Community Development (BPED4002) - 15.0 credits
• Maths for Healthcare (BPED4003) - 15.0 credits
• Bioscience 4 (BPED4004) - 15.0 credits
• Psychology 4 (BPED4005) - 15.0 credits
• Applied Maths (BPED4006) - 15.0 credits

Course Details