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New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) (Health Science Field)

Level 4

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Learn the skills required for higher level study in nursing with the UCOL New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) (Health Science Field).

A UCOL nursing facility where the learners and lecturers are busy training and learing
Quick info

Level: 4

Locations: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

Duration: 19 weeks, full-time
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)

Dates:
Palmerston North
17 Feb 2025 - 27 Jun 2025
21 Jul 2025 - 28 Nov 2025

Whanganui
17 Feb 2025 - 27 Jun 2025
21 Jul 2025 - 28 Nov 2025

Masterton
14 Jul 2025 - 21 Nov 2025

Domestic Fees: *
2025 fees TBC

Scholarship info

Find out if you're eligible for fees-free study

International Fees:*
2025 fees TBC

Additional Fees
Compulsory course costs may apply.

* Fees are indicative only, and are inclusive of the student services levy and GST (goods and services tax). The fee shown is for one year of study.

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Enrolment Guide and Form - Domestic Students
Download the Enrolment Guide and Form - Domestic Students.
Learn the skills required for higher level study in health sciences (such as nursing, exercise, social services) or laboratory sciences with the UCOL New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) (Health Science Field).

If you're aspiring to study nursing or laboratory and health sciences at the tertiary level, but don't have the entry requirements, this programme will help prepare you and start you off in the right direction towards your desired area of study. 

* Information provided is subject to final approval.

The programme pathway:

Pathways Graph.png
Learners will sharpen study techniques, and written and oral communication skills, and research techniques for their chosen pathway. Numeracy skills relevant to health and science are covered as well as background theory and practice in biology, microbiology and chemistry. 

This programme will also suit learners who are returning to study and wish to revise their science and health knowledge before embarking on a nursing studies. 

Please take a quiz to see how suited you may currently be to our level 3 or 4 courses. 

Take Quiz

You will be given a confidential score and can use this to plan your journey.
  • If your quiz score is between 35 and 50 you may be best suited to our level 4 course, but please feel free to contact us for more information.
  • If your quiz score is between 20 and 35 you may be best suited to begin with our level 3 course, but please feel free to contact us for more information.
  • If your quiz score is below 20 please contact us and we can help you decide the best options for you.
Successful completion of this programme enables graduates to be considered for entry to the UCOL Bachelor of Nursing. Entry requirements for Bachelor of Nursing still apply.

 Course Hours & Duration

This programme runs for 19 weeks each year, including 2 holiday weeks.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time
15 hrs
15 hours of class time includes 3-4 hours of online classes

Study Time
20 hrs
Study in your own time.

You can also choose to study part-time, or possibly by course. Talk to us about your options with this programme.


 Career & Study Outcomes

Successful completion of this programme enables graduates to be considered for entry to the UCOL Bachelor of Nursing. Entry requirements for Bachelor of Nursing still apply.

Those learners who do not meet the entry requirements for this L4 programme may wish to do the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment (Level 3) (Health Science Field).

If you are not sure of which course to begin your pathway to nursing, contact us.

 Course Information

This programme comprises 60 credits.

The UCOL New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) (Health Science Field) covers a variety of courses that will equip you with academic skills for higher-level study in nursing, including:

Career Planning and Academic Study Skills (Level 4) (15 credits)
This course enables you to develop and apply a range of academic skills in preparation for further study and employment.

Mathematics for Health Science (Level 3) (15 credits)
This course enables you to acquire context-relevant numeracy skills needed for future study and employment.

Human Body and Health (Level 4) (15 credits)
This course introduces you to the structure and functioning of the human body in a health context.

Chemistry and Cell Biology (Level 4) (15 credits)
This course enables you to apply key chemistry and cell biology concepts to a health science context.

Previous Related Programmes

The New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) (Health Science Field) supersedes and takes the best from the following programme of study, which is no longer offered:
  • New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) (Nursing Pathway)
  • Certificate in Science and Health

 Student & Staff Profiles

  • Bachelor of Nursing student, Charlene McGechan

    Charlene McGechan

    Bachelor of Nursing

    Watching a nurse care for her brother dying of cancer spurred Charlene McGehan to sign up for the Bachelor of Nursing degree at UCOL Te Pūkenga Whanganui.

    Meet Charlene

 Learning Facilities

This programme is taught using class, laboratory, PC-classes and online (blended) delivery. Learners who are unable to access online material will be able to use UCOL based facilities.

Whanganui and Wairarapa have classroom spaces that are flexible and able to accommodate all types of learning including a science lab, online and blended delivery.


 Domestic Entry Requirements

NCEA Level 2

OR

New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3)

OR

New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) 

OR

Equivalent academic achievement 

OR

On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean.

 

For more information about NCEA Credits see the UCOL NCEA explained page.

 International Entry Requirements

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international learner applicants.

English language proficiency
International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Subsequent programmes may have higher (or different) English Language proficiency requirements. Completion of this programme does not contribute to meeting these requirements.

Under 20 years of age
In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

 Advice & Guidance

Timetable
Your timetable will be available just prior to classes starting, and will comprise a weekly commitment of approximately:

  • 15 hours of class time (including 3-4 hours online classes)
  • 20 hours of self-directed learning (your own time spent on research and study to complete your written assignments)

Blended learning
This programme is offered on a blended delivery approach, a unique combination of online and face-to-face learning. Learners are welcome to use the UCOL facilities (computers, Internet) to access online learning. However, we encourage learners to have their device such as laptop/PC or tablet to be able to access the online component of this programme from home.

Recognition of Prior Learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course or unit standards have already been met.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

  • National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
  • Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
  • Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email.

 Additional Costs

Please note that there are additional costs associated with this programme:

  • Protective labcoats will be supplied by UCOL, however you will be required to wear covered shoes (eg sneakers) in the laboratory classes $150

Stationery

  • Scientific calculator - approximately $35
  • Course workbooks are used to lessen the need for textbooks, and you may be required to pay for the printing of each copy $50
  • Stationary - you should provide your own pens, pencils, ruler, paper etc $50

Technology

  • It's advisable that learners have headphones (microphone included) to use with their devices - approximately $30

 Accreditation

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning, a business division of Te Pūkenga is accredited to teach it.

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