Type of qualification
Level of study
Graduate qualifications normally involve study in a different area to your first undergraduate qualification. Some are stepping stones to postgraduate-level study.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology – GCertScTech
This Graduate Certificate also helps you to update your knowledge and skills in an area similar to that in which you graduated (or work in).
Enter with industry experience
If you have substantial industry experience at a senior level this will be considered towards your application. This is on a case-by-case basis.
Flexibility
Some of the courses in the Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology can be studied by distance (online). This gives you the flexibility to fit study around jobs and other commitments.
Use your credits toward a degree
After you graduate, you may have courses passed under the Graduate Certificate qualification credited to a bachelor’s degree, provided the courses comply with the regulations of the degree in question.
A GCertScTech is a good fit if you:
- have a tertiary qualification
- want to progress to postgraduate study in a different subject to your first degree in the sciences.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology you will have:
- been awarded or qualified for a relevant bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in the area you wish to study, or
- accepted as having equivalent status to a university graduate on the basis of equivalent relevant professional experience.
You will also have a background adequate for the courses you wish to study.
You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Get advice button.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Can't meet the entry requirements?
If you do not have the necessary background for GradCertScTech courses then pre-requisite courses are available in the Certificate in Science and Technology.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Structure of the Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology
You will follow a flexible course of study totalling at least 60 credits (4 courses). This is 1 semester of study.
Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology (Without specialisation)
The majority of available courses are those listed under the Bachelor of Science and its majors.
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Credit summary
60 credits
Either:
- Courses from the Schedule – 60 credits
No more than 15 credits at 200 level, and at least 45 credits at 300 level or higher.
Or:
- Lighting Endorsement compulsory courses – 60 credits
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Schedule A: Endorsement
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Lighting
The Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology (Lighting) is a great qualification for those interested in any aspect of lighting – from interior design to energy efficiency.
Without Specialisation
Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology means you can go on to study the postgraduate area you are interested in, without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Schedule B
60 credits from courses at 200 level and 300 level selected from the following prefixes:
112 Agribusiness, 117 Animal Science, 119 Agriculture and Horticulture, 120 Plant Biology, 121 Environmental Science, 122 Biochemistry, 123 Chemistry, 138 Agricultural Engineering, 141 Food Technology, 147 Rehabilitation Studies, 151 Nutritional Science,
157 Information Systems, 158 Information Technology, 159 Computer Science, 160 Mathematics, 161 Statistics, 162 Biology, 175 Psychology, 188 Natural Resource Management, 189 Soil Science, 194 Physiology, 196 Ecology, 199 Zoology, 203 Genetics,
214 Health Sciences, 218 Building and Construction, 228 Technology and Engineering, 231 Public Health, 233 Earth Science, 234 Sport and Exercise Science, 235 Māori Resource and Environmental Management, 246 Natural Sciences, 247 College of Sciences,
250 Health, 251 Occupational Health and Safety, 280 Process and Environmental Technology, 281 Electronics and Information Engineering, 282 Mechatronics and Automation Engineering, 283 Agronomy, 284 Horticulture, 285 Plant Health, 286 Equine.
Up to 15 credits may be selected from 127 Property Studies, 150 Māori Studies, 152 Management, 156 Marketing, 178 Economics.
or 60 credits from:
Course code: 502701 Workplace-based Learning in the Sciences credits 60
Portfolio of study using technical and clinical experiences in the sciences
View full course detailsCourse code: 502702 Extended Workplace-based Learning in the Sciences credits 60
Portfolio of study using technical and clinical experiences in the sciences
View full course detailsFees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Useful planning information

Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz