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Quick Facts

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Overview

Programme Overview

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.

Programme Structure

This 120-point taught postgradaute diploma 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.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

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.

Jobs related to this programme

  • 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

Further Study Options

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

Postgraduate Requirements

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

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.

Advice on Programme Limits

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.

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 Semester One08 December 202403 March 202530 June 2025
2026 Semester One02 March 202629 June 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 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.

Admission

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.

Duration and Total Points Value

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.

Structure and Content

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.

Suspension or Termination of Enrolment

10 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 10a may appeal that decision to the Provost or the duly appointed delegate.

Distinction

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

Variations

12 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

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

Schedule

Schedule Notes

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

Programme Schedules

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 75 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • Either:
  • 15 points for all Counselling Practicum - 1 Semester, or
  • 15 points for all Counselling Practicum - 2 Semesters, and
  • 30 points from Elective Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Counselling Practicum - 1 Semester

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

Counselling Practicum - 2 Semesters

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

Elective Courses

Complete exactly 30 points from 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

Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map