Professional Development
Studying while working is more possible than you think and our flexible professional development options can fit into any busy lifestyle. Invest in yourself and move forward with confidence in your career.
The biggest benefit of studying with us is the real experience you’ll gain with our hands-on approach to learning.
Our courses are industry-focused that help you learn employable skills, suited to your workplace or industry. Many of our qualifications are delivered in a way that allows you flexibility in your work-life while you take up study.
Ways you can study
In-work
Studying in-work allows you to learn while you’re working on the job and gain a qualification. This may mean that you study online with block courses or engage in activities at your workplace as part of your qualification.
Work based
Work based learning is a reflective practice where can recognize your previous work experience and gain a qualification — in record time! It is a perfect option for you if you have work experience but no qualification to match.
Alongside work
Another way of developing skills is by studying our programmes without having to give up your work. Our part-time study options allow you to do just that! Check out what you can study part-time. Some of our courses are on campus, online after work-hours, or delivered fully-online.
Professional development options
New Zealand Certificate in Business (Accounting Support Services) (Level 4) — alongside work
17 weeks / part-time / starts February or July / on-campus (Dunedin) and online
Gain understanding of the fundamentals of accounting and enhance your career opportunities with this flexible course that’s tailored to you. You'll gain the knowledge to take on an entry-level accounting support role within an organisation, enhance your existing knowledge, or to continue studying towards a higher qualification.
You’ll learn by studying online and in person at workshops delivered outside the standard 9am-5pm.
New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Accounting) — alongside work
72 weeks part-time / Starts monthly / Fully online
Ideal if you’re working in a business environment but need additional accounting skills to round out your knowledge or you’re engaged in a finance role but want to formalise your skills. Amongst other things, you will learn how to prepare budgets, monitor business performance against budgets, determine internal controls to minimise financial risk, and analyse and interpret financial information to inform decision-making.
Bachelor of Applied Management (Accounting) — alongside work
Part-time options available (3 years full-time) / Starts February or July / On campus (Dunedin)
If you are wanting to become a Chartered Accountant, this programme is ideal with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (Chartered Accountants ANZ) accreditation. Incorporating case studies, workplace-based or focused assignments, and a major industry project, this hands-on qualification has industry experience and connections at its core.
Graduate Diploma in Accounting — alongside work
Part-time options available (1 year full-time) / Starts February or July / On campus (Dunedin)
This programme is useful for people who may be seeking a promotion within their current job or who want to broaden their skill base. You’ll learn how to record and process financial transactions and prepare financial statements and cash budgets. Courses include intermediate/advanced management accounting, intermediate/advanced financial accounting, taxation in New Zealand and organisational research design.
New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) (Level 4) — alongside work
40 weeks part-time / Fully online / Starts monthly
Designed to give you an overview and understanding of administration procedures, this programme will help you run an office smoothly and efficiently. If you're new to administration, this programme will give you an advanced understanding of administration and management. If you're someone who has already mastered the basics, this qualification will help you step up to a more senior level.
Graduate Diploma in Visual Arts — alongside work
2 years part-time / Starts February or July / On campus (Dunedin)
If you already hold a degree and would like to develop your fine arts skills, this qualification offers you the chance to carry out an intensive course of study in your chosen discipline.
Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) — alongside work
2 years part-time / Starts February or July / On campus (Dunedin)
Ideal if you want to develop research skills in studio and theory, or pursue further postgraduate study. By the end of the programme, you will produce a body of critically-engaged studio work, supported by a conceptual research paper.
Certificate in Avian Wildlife Healthcare (Veterinary Nurses) (Level 6) — in-work
1 year part-time / Starts July / Online with practical placement (five days during Nov-Feb)
Ideal if you are a qualified Veterinary Nurse who is increasingly being presented with injured or sick avian wildlife during your daily practice. Offered in collaboration with the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, this programme is the only one of its kind in New Zealand and offers a unique and specialised professional development opportunity. You will gain a sound knowledge of avian wildlife healthcare, with a focus on patient support and management.
Certificate in Avian Wildlife Health (Veterinarian) (Level 7) — in-work
1 year part-time / Starts July / Online with practical placements (five days during Nov-Feb; surgical practicum in Dunedin too)
If you are a qualified Veterinarian who is being presented with sick or injured avian wildlife, this programme will give you the skills to administer medicine and/or surgery. You will graduate with the ability to provide optimal standards of welfare and outcomes for avian wildlife patients, plan and manage anaesthesia, manage medical diseases, and perform diagnostics and surgical procedures on avian wildlife patients.
Bachelor of Culinary Arts — work based
If you're already working in the industry, we offer a one-year, work-based distance programme for people with relevant leadership experience.
New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 4) — alongside work
2 years part-time / Starts July / On-campus (in Dunedin) or fully online
A great starting point if you want to get a feel for what this area has to offer. Project options in digital photography, digital illustration, game design, web design, moving image, animation and interactivity will help you develop real-world skills and a portfolio of your work.
Graduate Diploma in Design (Specialty) — alongside work
2 years part-time / Starts February or July / On-campus (in Dunedin)
If you are looking to achieve an applied qualification in a specialist area to complement your existing design degree or experience, you can opt for this programme and specialise in either Communications, Fashion or Product Design. This diploma will help you gain an understanding of the professional and strategic requirements of your industry, and to extend your professional research techniques. The skills you develop will then be applied to your selected area-specific courses and showcased in your final project.
Bachelor of Design (Honours) — alongside work
2 years part-time / Starts February or July / On-campus (in Dunedin)
If you have already achieved excellence in your undergraduate degree, this postgraduate qualification is a great opportunity to extend and deepen your knowledge and understanding of design research methods and professional design practice. Graduates of this programme will be well-prepared for further postgraduate study or employment in a design creative lead role.
Bachelor of Engineering Technology - Infrastructure Asset Management Apprenticeship — in-work
Full-time / Dunedin / Flexible intakes
This is an apprenticeship pathway where you'll gain experience in industry projects within your chosen specialty - Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
Graduate Diploma in Event Management — alongside work
Part-time options available (1 year full-time) / Starts February or July / On-campus (Dunedin)
Are you organised and good at planning fun parties and informative events? Do you enjoy tackling a new challenge and having a job where every day is different? You could be suited for a career in event management. Undertake this programme and get all the skills you need to plan, organise, promote and run events, conferences and functions for a variety of organisations, communities, groups and individuals.
New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 4) — alongside work
1 year part-time / Starts February or July / On campus in Dunedin
Learn how to teach functional exercise movements whilst gaining a clear understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Discover how the role of behavioural change can lead to lasting results for your clients. With hands-on teaching in our purpose-built gym and real industry work experience, you will gain the skills and knowledge to become a first-class exercise professional.
New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 5) — alongside work
1 year part-time / Starts February or July / On campus in Dunedin
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 become fully prepared to work with clients in a holistic manner.
Level 3 Nursery Production — work-based
20 weeks part-time / Flexible start / Work-based and online with block courses at our Cromwell Campus
If you’re already employed in the nursery production industry, this programme is for you. With a 50/50 mix of theory and practical, you’ll learn online whilst using your workplace as a setting to practise your developing skills. Courses include Nursery Plant Care, Plant ID and Selection, Propagation, Plant Science, and Communication.
Level 4 Amenity Horticulture — work-based
2-3 years part-time / Flexible start / Work-based and online with block courses at our Dunedin Campus
Ideal for those who are working in the amenity sector, have existing experience and want to gain a relevant qualification and increase their supervisory skills. This programme sits within a progressive training pathway that is industry-recognised.
Level 4 Fruit Production — work-based
1-2 years part-time / Flexible start / Work-based and online with block courses at our Cromwell Campus
This programme is for those already working in the fruit production or viticulture industry. It will help you make the next step up within your workplace. A 50/50 mix of theory and practical, you’ll learn online whilst using your workplace as a setting to practice your developing skills. Courses include Soils and Water, Plant Science, Seasonal Tasks, Communication, and Pests, Weeds and Agrichemicals.
Level 5 Fruit Production or Wine Growing — work-based and online learning
2-3 years part-time / February, July or September
Progress your career in the national and international horticulture communities by gaining the knowledge and skills to become a competent leader in the stone fruit, pip fruit, berry or wine grape production industries. Your learning will be centred around sustainable growing principles, and you will gain plenty of invaluable work experience and industry contacts.
Graduate Certificate in Information Technology (Level 7) — alongside work
12-18 months part-time / Starts February or July / On campus in Dunedin
This certificate is ideal for those who have a degree in another subject and want to develop their computing skills or for IT graduates who want to enhance their knowledge in a specialist area. This programme can also be studied part-time alongside full-time employment and can be tailored to suit your needs.
Graduate Diploma in Information Technology (Level 7) — alongside work
2-3 years part-time / Starts February or July / On campus in Dunedin
Study Information Technology in this flexible programme - the perfect way to add computing skills to your CV while engaged in full-time employment. This diploma will give you the opportunity to specialise in interactive media, hardware, programming, databases, communications, business or networks/operating systems.
New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Leadership and Management) — alongside work, work based or online
There is more to management than being a good leader. It means having an understanding of the complexities of management processes, planning and the New Zealand business environment. If you’re keen to add to your skillset, this programme could be your answer. Amongst other things, you will learn how to lead others to implement activities that lead to high productivity, manage projects within scope, resources and time, and develop a positive workplace culture and team engagement.
Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education (Level 7) — in-work
2 years part-time / Starts January or July / Flexible delivery (on campus or online)
This qualification will provide you with a formal qualification tailored directly to teaching at tertiary level. You'll be able to study in a way that suits your current schedule and responsibilities, and graduate able to design and facilitate inclusive learning in your tertiary cultural context.
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Design — alongside work
One year part-time / fully-online
In response to a growing demand for professional learning designers in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world, this new programme has been created to meet your training needs and is facilitated by learning design experts. It will give you the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need. The part-time, fully online delivery will enable you to work while studying, with opportunities to utilise authentic scenarios from your workplace as part of your learning.
New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) — in-work
1 year full-time / 2 years part-time / Starts February/ Online with some face-to-face teaching and 240 hours of work placement
The role of an Animal Healthcare Assistant is to support Veterinary Nurses, Veterinarians and Rural Animal Veterinary Technicians in veterinary practices. This programme will allow you to graduate with the technical knowledge and skills you need to perform this job under broad supervision.
New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) — in-work
2 years full-time / 4 years part-time / Starts February / On campus or online with some face-to-face teaching and 750 hours of work placement
Graduate with the technical knowledge and skills you need to perform this role and to apply for registration on the New Zealand Register of Veterinary Nurses.
New Zealand Diploma in Rural Animal Veterinary Technology (Level 6) — in-work
This new programme is designed to provide a clear, industry-relevant pathway for those wishing to start a career as a Rural Animal Veterinary Technician. As a graduate you will work directly and indirectly with veterinarians in rural practice to meet the healthcare needs of our primary production.
New Zealand Diploma in Horticulture Production (Fruit Production) or (Wine Growing) (Level 5) — work-based
Online with block courses / 3 years / start February, July or September
Progress your career by gaining the knowledge and skills to become a competent leader in the fruit production or wine grape production industries. Study online to complement your work in the industry and graduate with the skills to manage an orchard or vineyard.
Explore more options
We have a range of other options to support your career progression.
Contact us
If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.