HomeProgrammesHealth & WellbeingNew Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) (Health Pathway)

New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) (Health Pathway)

Level 3

Learn the skills required for higher level study in health sciences with the UCOL Te Pūkenga New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) (Health Pathway).

New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation Level 3 Health Pathway
Quick info

Level: 3

Locations: UCOL Te Pūkenga Manawatū in Palmerston North

Duration: 19 weeks full-time, or part-time option available
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)

Dates:
19 Feb 2024 – 28 Jun 2024
29 Jul 2024 – 06 Dec 2024

Domestic Fees: *
$3,287.50

Scholarship info

International Fees:*
$12,500 + Student Services Levy $295.50

Additional Fees
Compulsory course costs may apply.

* Fees are indicative only, and are inclusive of the student services levy and GST (goods and services tax). The fee shown is for one year of study.

If you're aspiring to study Nursing, Applied Science (Laboratory Technician) or Health Sciences at a tertiary level, but don't have the entry requirements, consider studying the UCOL Te Pūkenga New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) (Health Pathway).

The course covers a variety of subjects that will equip you with academic skills for higher-level study in Health Science. As well as core subjects in Career and Study skills, and Communication Skills, you will study Bioscience for Health and Mathematics for Health.

The programme pathway:

Program pathway diagram

Please take a quiz to see how suited you may currently be to our level 3 or 4 courses. 

Take Quiz

You will be given a confidential score and can use this to plan your journey.
  • If your quiz score is between 35 and 50 you may be best suited to our level 4 course, but please feel free to contact us for more information.
  • If your quiz score is between 20 and 35 you may be best suited to begin with our level 3 course, but please feel free to contact us for more information.
  • If your quiz score is below 20 please contact us and we can help you decide which level would be best for you.

 Course Hours & Duration

This programme runs for 19 weeks, including 2 holiday weeks.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time
16 hrs

In-person, online and Labs
Study Time
7 hrs

Study in your own time.

You can also choose to study part-time. Talk to us about your options with this programme.

 Career & Study Outcomes

This programme directly leads to the UCOL Te Pūkenga New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) (Nursing Pathway) and New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) (Medical Imaging Pathway). Learners wishing to enter into Animal Care may take this Level 3 programme or the NZ Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals) Level 3.

Education pathway

Graduates who wish to further specialise can enrol in:

 Course Information

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL Te Pūkenga is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.

This programme consists of 60 credits. 

Career and Study Skills (Level 3) (15 Credits)
In this course, you will discover the best way to learn in the health sciences area. Topics cover learning skills, exam and test preparation, time management, research skills, written and oral communication, and interview and CV preparation. In addition, you will learn computing basics, including preparing written essays and oral presentations and how to learn in a blended (in-class and online) environment. You will also create a portfolio of the areas of health care you are interested in working in. Teamwork is emphasized, and projects will see you making videos for a career-based assessment.

Communication Skills (Level 3) (15 Credits)
In this course, you will learn more about effective written, oral and visual communication. You will practice conversations, professional practice and study how social, cultural, and other barriers can affect our communication. You will practice communicating using a variety of media including, reports, emails and video.

Bioscience for Health (Level 3) (15 Credits)
In this course, you will be introduced to introductory chemistry and biology basics. Chemistry will include bonding, formulae and equation basics as well as basic chemical terminology. Biology will cover the broad function of the human body and the structure and function of main body organs. In addition, the health and well-being principles and models are also covered.

Mathematics for Health (Level 3) (15 Credits)
Learners will acquire and gain confidence in basic numeracy skills relevant to health sciences. This will include metric conversions and other health-related measurements, including drug calculations. In addition, you will also be introduced to statistics and graphs from health and epidemiological data.

Previous Related Programmes

The New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) (Health Pathway) supersedes and takes the best from the following programmes of study, which are no longer offered:

  • Certificate in Science and Health
  • Certificate in Introduction to Health Science

 Student & Staff Profiles

 Learning Facilities

All learners have access to the full range of the UCOL Te Pūkenga on-site facilities such as the library, learning hubs, study areas, and computer labs. Learners also have access to fully resourced science labs including laboratory equipment and materials for biology, microbiology, chemistry and molecular biology.

 Domestic Entry Requirements

NCEA Level 1

OR

Equivalent academic achievement 

OR

On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean.

English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 5.0 with no band score less than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

 

For more information about NCEA Credits see the UCOL Te Pūkenga NCEA explained page.

 International Entry Requirements

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international learners applicants.

English language proficiency
International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 5.0 with no band score lower than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age
In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

 Advice & Guidance

Timetable
Your timetable will be available just prior to classes starting, and will comprise a weekly commitment of approximately:

  • 20 hours class time (including 3-4 hours online classes)
  • 20 hours of self-directed learning (your own time spent on research and study to complete your written assignments)

Blended learning
This programme is offered on a blended delivery approach, a unique combination of online and face-to-face learning. Learners are welcome to use the UCOL Te Pūkenga facilities (computers, Internet) to access the online learning. However, we encourage learners to have their device such as laptop/PC or tablet to be able to access the online component of this programme from home.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

  • National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
  • Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
  • Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
  • Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

* Successful completion of this qualification does not guarantee entry to the pathway’s destination programme of study. Entry requirements for these programmes still apply and selection for some destination programmes is highly competitive.

 Additional Costs

Please note that there are additional costs associated with this programme:

  • Protective labcoats will be supplied by UCOL Te Pūkenga, however you will be required to wear covered shoes (eg sneakers) in the laboratory classes.
  • Stationery - printed workbooks will be supplied, however you should provide your own pens, pencils, ruler and paper.
  • Scientific calculator - approximately $35

 Accreditation

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning Limited, a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga is accredited to teach it.

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