New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) (Health Field)

Designed for those who are keen to study health science programmes at a tertiary level, but don't have the entry requirements. This programme includes a variety of courses that will equip you with academic skills for higher-level study in these rewarding fields.

As well as core courses in Career and Study Planning, and Communication and Learning, you will study Bioscience for Health Science and Numeracy for Health Science.

The programme pathway:

Please note that UCOL does not currently provide the Bachelor of Social Services, NZ Diploma in Enrolled Nursing, or the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Wellness). 

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

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time

20-25 hrs

In-person, online and labs

Study Time

15-18 hrs

Study in your own time.

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

This programme comprises 60 credits, made up of the following four courses:

Career and Study Planning (Level 3) (15 Credits)

This course enables you to develop your own personalised plan for future study and employment.

Communication and Learning (Level 3) (15 Credits)

This course enables you to communicate effectively using a range of appropriate modes and media, and manage your own learning of relevent skills.

Bioscience for Health Science (Level 3) (15 Credits)

This course enables you to manage your own learning of health science knowledge and apply this knowledge to context-relevant tasks and problems.

Numeracy for Health Science (Level 3) (15 Credits)

This course enables you to manage your own learning of the context-relevant numeracy skills needed in further study and employment.

Previous Related Programmes

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

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

• Certificate in Science and Health

• Certificate in Introduction to Health Science

All learners have access to the full range of the UCOL 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.

NCEA Level 1

OR

Equivalent academic achievement

OR

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

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).

Subsequent programmes may have higher (or different) English language proficiency requirements. Completion of this programme does not contribute to meeting these requirements.

Under 20 years of age

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

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 is accredited to teach it.

This programme directly leads to the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) (Medical Imaging Field) and New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) (Health Science Field).

Learners wishing to enter into Animal Care may take this Level 3 programme or the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals) (Level 3).

Education pathway

Graduates who wish to further specialise can enrol in:

• New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4)

• New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) (Medical Imaging Field)

By successfully completing this programme, you show yourself and other stakeholders that you have the skills and capabilities to commence studies at a higher academic level. 

Timetable

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

• 25 hours class time (including 3-4 hours online classes)

• 15 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 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.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

* 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.

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

• Protective labcoats will be supplied by UCOL, however you will be required to wear covered shoes (eg sneakers) in the laboratory classes.

• Stationery - you should provide your own pens, pencils, ruler, paper etc $50

• Scientific calculator - approximately $35

• Course workbooks are used to lessen the need for textbooks, and you may need to pay for the printing of each copy $50