Some quick notes for Post Graduate Diploma in New Zealand
Postgraduate Diplomas are very popular in New Zealand. Many students would take this up after finishing their Bachelors in India. Post graduate diplomas also act as a bridge between your Bachelors level study and your entry in to a Masters in New Zealand.
Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are taught by Universities, Polytechnics, and also Private Training Providers.
Students who do not qualify for a Masters or MBA in New Zealand because of lack of work experience or because of their bachelors degree not being an Honours degree generally take up a Post Graduate Diploma in New Zealand.
EXPLAINED SIMPLY – Difference between Graduate Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma in New Zealand:
| Factors | Graduate Diploma in New Zealand | Postgraduate Diploma in New Zealand |
| Who is it for? | Students who wish to do
a different course as compared to their field of study
Eg. A student who has finished Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) may want to study a Graduate Diploma in Journalism |
Students who wish to
continue higher studies (at the post graduate level) in the
same field of study as undergraduate.
It is also undertaken by a student who does not meet the academic entry requirements of a University. Eg. If the University of Auckland requires a Bachelors Honours degree for one of their Masters level programmes, and the student holds an ordinary Bachelors degree, then the student may do a Post graduate Diploma at the University of Auckland in stead of a Master |
| What is the level of this study? | Postgraduate | Postgraduate |
| Duration | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Academic Requirements before applying | Bachelors Degree in any field or some college study followed by several years of work experience (say around 4 years) | Bachelors Degree in the same or relevant field as the selected post graduate diploma programme |
| Does it form the first year of Masters? | No | Yes in some cases meaning that you could then continue with the second year of Masters after finishing your Postgraduate Diploma in New Zealand |
| Primary aim of studying | To bring a change in the career | To continue higher in the same field / career |
The following postgraduate qualifications at certificate and diploma level can be studied in New Zealand:
Postgraduate Diploma:
Postgraduate diploma in New Zealand is designed for graduates and can typically be completed in one year of full-time study. Some postgraduate diplomas form the first year of a master’s degree. A minimum of Bachelors degree is required to apply for a Post Graduate Diploma course in New Zealand
Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are typically highly specialised professional qualifications that normally require previous degrees in the subject or in a related area of study
Postgraduate Certificate:
Post graduate certificate in New Zealand can generally be completed in 6 months. It normally provides professional development in a specified area. It may lead on to further study at a higher level, eg, a postgraduate diploma. A minimum of Bachelors degree is required to apply for a Post Graduate Certificate course in New Zealand
Graduate Diploma:
Graduate Diplomas in New Zealand, which are generally of one year duration, can be studied without having any prior knowledge of the field that you are applying for ie it can be taken by students with an undergraduate degree with a major in an unrelated subject. They provide an opportunity to change subject areas, either within your first degree area or in a completely different area. Graduate qualifications can enhance your employment prospects by adding breadth to your CV. They can also enable you to meet the prerequisites for further study in a new area. A minimum of Bachelors degree is required to apply for a Graduate Diploma course in New Zealand
Graduate Certificate:
Graduate certificates in New Zealand can typically be completed in six months of full-time study. A minimum of Bachelors degree is required to apply for a Graduate Certificate course in New Zealand