Program Overview

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Certificate of Proficiency Sub Degree – CPSBD

The Certificate of Proficiency (Sub-Degree) is not a formal qualification. You should only apply for this certificate if you are intending to study some sub-degree courses but not intending to complete any of the formal sub-degree qualifications.

Type of Qualification

• Certificate of Proficiency

Level of Study

• Varied study levels
• NZQF level 4

Time to Complete

• Normally only available for part-time study.

Where You Can Study

• Auckland campus
• Distance and online
• Wellington campus
• Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International Students

• Not open to international students

Key Dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates

Study a Certificate of Proficiency Sub Degree – CPSBD

The Certificate of Proficiency (Sub-Degree) is for those intending to complete only 1 or 2 courses at sub-degree level. For example, these may be interest courses or you may want to study them to prepare you for studying another qualification in the future.

Entry Requirements

Admission to Massey

• All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific Requirements

• You will need to meet the entry requirements for the courses you choose.

Prior Learning and Exemptions

• For information on prior learning and exemptions or other questions, contact us.

English Language Skills

• If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Official Regulations

• To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate, read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

Returning Students

• For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

Structure of the Certificate of Proficiency Sub Degree

You should select your courses from the Certificate in Foundation Studies or the Certificate in University Preparation.

• You may take 60 credits providing the courses you choose are not substantially similar to an existing qualification. In this case, you would need to apply for the existing qualification.

Courses and Specialisations

Key Terms

• Courses: Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
• Course code: Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course , the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
• Credits: Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
• Specialisations: Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit Summary

• 15-60 credits
• Sub-degree courses – 15‑60 credits

Course Planning Key

• Prerequisites: Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
• Corequisites: Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
• Restrictions: Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Temporary

• Code:
• Course: Social Policy: An Introduction
• Credits: 15 credits
• A foundational knowledge of social policy, providing a broad introduction introducing students to the history of social policy in Aotearoa New Zealand and key theories and concepts informing the development of social policy.
• Restrictions:

Fees and Scholarships

2026 Tuition Fees

• Domestic students: $3,707
• International students: Not applicable
• Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (60 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Student Loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free Scheme

• You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
• The Certificate of Proficiency (Sub Degree) is not eligible for fees free as it is not considered an official qualification.

Scholarship and Award Opportunities

• Search our scholarships and awards

Fees Disclaimer

• This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any.

Related Study Options

Certificate of Proficiency (Student Exchange) – CPSTX

• Qualification: Certificate of Proficiency (Student Exchange)
• Location: Auckland campus, Wellington campus, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

Certificate of Proficiency Postgraduate – CoP Postgrad

• Qualification: Certificate of Proficiency Postgraduate
• Credits: 60
• Location: Auckland campus, Distance and online, Wellington campus, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

Certificate of Proficiency Undergraduate – CPUND

• Qualification: Certificate of Proficiency Undergraduate
• Credits: 60
• Location: Auckland campus, Distance and online, Wellington campus, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

Diploma (Business) – DipBus

• Qualification: Diploma (Business)
• Credits: 120
• Location: Auckland campus

Diploma in Science and Technology – DipScTech

• Qualification: Diploma in Science and Technology
• Credits: 120
• Location: Auckland campus, Distance and online, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

Doctor of Philosophy – PhD

• Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy
• Credits: 360
• Location: Auckland campus, Wellington campus, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

Graduate Diploma (Management) – GradDip(Mgt)

• Qualification: Graduate Diploma (Management)
• Credits: 120
• Location: Auckland campus

Graduate Diploma (Marketing) – GradDip(Mrk)

• Qualification: Graduate Diploma (Marketing)
• Credits: 120
• Location: Auckland campus

Graduate Diploma in Science and Technology – GDipScTech

• Qualification: Graduate Diploma in Science and Technology
• Credits: 120
• Location: Auckland campus, Distance and online, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

Without Specialisation – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology

• Specialisation: Without Specialisation
• Location: Auckland campus, Distance and online, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)