New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 5)

Get the specialised skills and knowledge you need to become a personal trainer. With this practical qualification, you’ll discover how to plan, implement and evaluate specific exercise programmes tailored to your clients’ needs and abilities. This programme will also take you through nutrition and behaviour, so you will be fully prepared to work with clients in a holistic manner.

Domestic

Duration
17 Weeks Full-time
1 Year Part-time
Level
5
Credits
60
Fees
$5,447
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee – see Fees section for more info.
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Intakes
February
July (numbers dependent)

International

Duration
17 Weeks Full-time
Level
5
Credits
60
Fees
$13,286
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee – see Fees section for more info.
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Intakes
February
July (numbers dependent)

What You Study

What you will learn

Courses

Course name Description Level Credits
Professional Practice 2 Learn how to apply and evaluate professional practice principles of working in the exercise industry.  5 15
Exercise Science 2 Gain an understanding of how to apply behaviour change interventions in relation to nutrition and exercise.  5 15
Exercise Prescription - Theory Learn how to develop and adapt exercise prescriptions to meet the needs of clients.  5 15
Personal Training - Practice Discover how to plan, implement and evaluate exercise programmes for a range of exercise participants. 5 15

Further study options

Expand your learning and career horizons with our Bachelor of Applied Science (specialising in Sport, Exercise, or Health (Physical and Nutrition). This can then pathway into more advanced study specialising in Physical Conditioning with our Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science.

Workload

Your workload

Full-time students will be expected to study for 36 hours per week. This will include directed teaching, self-directed learning and industry experience hours. If you choose to study part-time, you will need to study for around 16 hours per week.

Entry

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

  • New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 4) or equivalent.
  • In exceptional circumstances, an applicant under 20 who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the programme where they supply evidence of their ability to succeed on the programme.
International requirements and equivalence

To enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.

English Language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide:

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Fees

Domestic fees

Full tuition
Standard
$5,447

International fees

Full tuition
Standard
$13,286

Additional costs

All students will need to wear Otago Polytechnic branded clothing when they are working with clients or out with industry. We ask all learners to have a laptop or tablet that they can use for classwork. 

Tuition fees

The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.

Get in touch

0800 762 786
International +64 3 477 3014
Email: info@op.ac.nz
https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/new-zealand-certificate-in-exercise-level-5