PGDipCounsTh - Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Theory

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule
Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

If you have a bachelors degree in education, counselling, nursing or social work and at least three years’ practical experience, this programme can broaden and advance your career. You will gain comprehensive knowledge of the theory and research that underpin counselling practice, and develop the skills necessary for effective counselling with diverse clients. You will undertake supervised practical counselling work in community settings. This programme can provide the foundation to pursue further study at masters level.

If you complete the PGDipCounsTh with a GPA of 5 or higher in the most advanced courses taken, you can apply to enter into the second year of the Master of Counselling to complete the masters qualification. To do this, you must include a research methods course in your PGDipCounsTh study.

The PGDipCounsTh is equivalent to the first year of the Master of Counselling (MCouns).

If you complete the PGDipCounsTh with a GPA of 5 or higher in the most advanced courses taken, you can apply to enter into the second year of the MCouns to complete the masters qualification.

To do this, you must include a research methods course in your PGDipCounsTh study.

It is a programme requirement that students undertake a minimum of 10 hours of regular professional supervision that accompanies 100 hours of supervised professional counselling practice in one or more placement settings. The cost of this supervision is not part of the course fees and is the responsibility of the student.

Please note that this is a limited entry programme and selection criteria apply. An interview supported by referees’ statements and evidence of practical experience is required.

Interviews are conducted from October to December with the aim of informing applicants by the end of the year. Applicants may also be placed on waiting list and offered a place as spaces become available up until February the following year. In individual circumstances where applicants need to know the outcome of their application sooner (e.g. for international visa requirements, scholarships etc.), an earlier interview can be arranged.

The PGDipCounsTh is suitable for experienced and aspiring individuals who wish to develop a beginning level of skill and theory in counselling that will assist them to develop and extend their careers as counselling professionals. If you complete the PGDipCounsTh with GPA of 5 or higher in the most advanced courses taken, you can apply to enter into the second year of the MCouns to complete the masters qualification. To do this, you must include a research methods course in your PGDipCounsTh study.

Counsellor in community settings
Counsellor in government agencies (such as ACC, Corrections Department)
Counsellor in private practice
Counsellor in schools, and other secondary and tertiary settings
Health and welfare services counsellor
Human resource counsellor
Not-for-profit agency counsellor

MCouns - Master of Counselling

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

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You must have completed a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study.

Relevant Bachelors degrees may include education, counselling, nursing, social work or another relevant profession

You will also need at least three years’ practical experience in teaching, counselling, nursing, social work or another relevant profession.

Admission is subject to a satisfactory interview, police check/s, safety checks, evidence of previous employment and referees’ reports.

For more information on the safety checks requirements, please see our Children's Act 2014 requirements page.

Note: If you already hold the same or a substantially similar qualification, you may not be admitted to this programme.

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.

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

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.

Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

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 and awards

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Student loans and allowances

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Cost of living

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This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

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.

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester One	01 November 2025	02 March 2026	29 June 2026
2027 Semester One		01 March 2027

1 - 2

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

Note: This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Education and Social Work.

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

a completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

and

b at least three years’ practical experience in teaching, counselling, nursing, social work or another relevant profession

and

c demonstrated in accordance with approved selection criteria the qualities determined by the Faculty as appropriate for a person seeking a qualification in Counselling. This will normally require an interview supported by referees’ statements and evidence of practical experience.

2 No student on whom the Postgraduate Diploma in Education – Counselling specialisation has already been conferred by the University of Auckland may enrol for this postgraduate diploma unless specific approval is given by the Programme Director.

3 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.

4 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.

Notes:

(i) Agencies where counsellors in training are placed wish to ensure that client safety is not compromised. For this reason, applicants will be required to consent to disclosure of criminal convictions and safety checks as required by the Children’s Act 2014.

(ii) Relevant Bachelors degrees may include education, counselling, nursing, social work or another relevant profession.

5 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma must:

a pass courses with a total value of 120 points

and

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

6 The total enrolment for this postgraduate diploma must not exceed 160 points.

7 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma must pass 120 points from the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Theory Schedule.

8 The programme for each student must be approved by the Programme Director prior to enrolment.

9 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.

Practical and Professional Requirements

10 Where a course has a practicum and (non-practicum) coursework components, a student must pass both components to pass that course as a whole.

11 If a student’s current enrolment in PROFCOUN 711 has ended, but the student has not received a pass in the practicum component of PROFCOUN 711, the student’s enrolment can be extended and the student will be required to pay tuition fees at the rate of 5 points for each two-month period, or part thereof, in order to pass the practicum component for this course.

12 Re-enrolment in PROFCOUN 711 after failing that course requires the permission of the Programme Director.

13 At the discretion of the Associate Dean Academic, a student who does not pass PROFCOUN 711 may be declined permission to continue this degree.

14 A student must continue to meet the requirements of being a fit and proper person for registration with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors throughout the duration of enrolment in the programme.

15 a If the behaviour of a student in a learning or practice environment is found, after due and fair inquiry, to be offensive, disruptive or likely to give rise to a risk of harm to the welfare of any person, the enrolment of the student in the programme may be terminated by Senate or its representative and any application to re-enrol may likewise be declined.

b A student who is subject to any such inquiry may be suspended by Senate or its representative from lectures, classes and any practice placement pending the outcome of the inquiry.

c A student whose enrolment is terminated under Regulation 15a may appeal that decision to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education or the duly appointed delegate.

16 This postgraduate diploma may be awarded with Distinction or Merit as specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas.

17 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.