Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Practice in Social and Community Services
Enhance your professional knowledge for practice in Aotearoa New Zealand through applied learning and cultural understanding, gaining insight into New Zealand’s social, community, and health sectors.
The Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Practice in Social and Community Services is expected to begin in July 2026, subject to approval by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
Why study the Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Practice in Social and Community Services?
The Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Practice in Social and Community Services (PGCertPSOCS) is ideal for internationally qualified social workers and human services professionals who want to strengthen their knowledge and prepare for professional practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. This programme prepares qualified social, community, and health professionals for practice in New Zealand and is not a first qualifying programme of study.
In just one trimester, you’ll explore the key social, cultural, and ethical foundations of New Zealand’s community and health sectors, with a focus on culturally responsive and inclusive practice.
You’ll take part in workshop-based learning, community engagement activities, and applied projects that connect classroom learning with real-world experience. These learning opportunities incorporate Indigenous approaches and field trips, helping you understand New Zealand’s social systems, professional expectations, and the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Graduates are prepared for roles across social, community, and health services, including family and youth support, community development, and social care roles within the New Zealand context.
You can also study Professional Practice in Social and Community Services via the 120 point Postgraduate Diploma (PGDipPSOCS) or the 180 point Master's (MPSOCS).
Degree information
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Plan your study -
Entry Requirements Candidates for the PGCertPSOCS must have:
- qualified for a bachelors degree of the University of Waikato or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
- demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Academic Board that they have adequate training, experience, and ability to proceed with the proposed programme.
In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit and relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.
Candidates for the PGCertPSOCS must have:
- qualified for a bachelors degree of the University of Waikato or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
- demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Academic Board that they have adequate training, experience, and ability to proceed with the proposed programme.
In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit and relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.
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Fees and scholarships -
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 23 October 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
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International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 23 October 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
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Candidates for the PGCertPSOCS must have:
- qualified for a bachelors degree of the University of Waikato or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
- demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Academic Board that they have adequate training, experience, and ability to proceed with the proposed programme.
In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit and relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.
Candidates for the PGCertPSOCS must have:
- qualified for a bachelors degree of the University of Waikato or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
- demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Academic Board that they have adequate training, experience, and ability to proceed with the proposed programme.
In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit and relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 23 October 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 23 October 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
The Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) is the organisation that approves the training of overseas-qualified social workers and assesses them against ten core competency standards required for practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Learning within the Professional Practice in Social and Community Services qualifications helps internationally qualified social workers to meet Competence Standard 1 (to practice with Māori) and Competence Standard 2 (to practice with the ethnic and cultural groups of New Zealand).
Provisionally registered social workers have up to twelve months to demonstrate that they have completed training in these competency standards.