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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

This certificate will advance your skills in social and community leadership and build your ability to lead and innovate across community, government, not-for-profit and social-good sectors.

If you complete this certificate with a GPA of 5.0 or higher, you can credit the courses you've passed to the Master of Social and Community Leadership degree, provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded.

This 60-point programme is flexibly designed to suit those working full- or part-time in community, government, not-for-profit and social good sectors, as well as graduates from a range of disciplines.

This programme is delivered entirely online.

Programme Structure

This is a 60-point certificate. You'll take two 30-point core courses in leadership, ethics and systems and social innovation, evaluation and programme design. These core courses involve applied learning that is highly relevant to current and future practice and leadership.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

There are various career opportunities available depending on your prior experience, expertise and elective specialisation within the PGCertSCL. Common themes include leadership, programme design, social innovation and development, consultation, policy development, social change, community and health development.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Community facilitator and advocate
  • Facilitator/educator
  • Not-for-profit organisation leader
  • Programme designer
  • Social and community coordinator
  • Social innovator/consultant

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

You must have completed a Bachelors degree at a New Zealand university (or similar institution) with at least 60 points (at least 15-20% of your degree) in social science subjects, or equivalent prior study.

Alternatively, you must have completed a qualification in a related field (such as human services, social work or other social practice) at a recognised university (or similar institution) and have at least two years’ experience in community, government, not-for-profit or social-good sectors.

Further Programme Entry Requirements

English language requirements

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English you will need to provide evidence of your English proficiency.

You will require an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0.  See alternative English language requirements.

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Other Pathways to Study

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes. 

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Summer School01 December 202505 January 202618 February 2026
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two08 June 202620 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this postgraduate certificate are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this postgraduate certificate, an applicant must have:

a completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree with at least 60 points in social science subjects from a New Zealand university, or have equivalent prior study

or

b (i) a relevant qualification

and

(ii) at least two years’ relevant work experience approved as appropriate.

2 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

Note: Relevant qualifications may include social sciences, psychology and counselling, public policy and administration, community development and planning, education and training, public health and health promotion, non-profit management and administration, environment and sustainability, communications and media studies (including journalism), criminology and criminal law, economics, development studies, and creative arts and industries (with a focus on community/social engagement).

Duration and Total Points Value

4 A student admitted to this postgraduate certificate must:

a pass courses with a total value of 60 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Certificates.

5 The total enrolment for this postgraduate certificate must not exceed 90 points.

Structure and Content

6 A student enrolled for this postgraduate certificate must complete the requirements as listed in the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership Schedule.

7 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

Variations

8 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

9 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 60 points comprising:

  • 60 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Compulsory Courses

Complete 60 points for ALL of the following:

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

#Programme Capability
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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism