- Type of qualification
- Postgraduate certificate
- Level of study
-
Postgraduate study
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.
NZQF level 8Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
- Time to complete
-
6 months full-time (60 credits)Part-time available
- Where you can study
-
Distance and onlineManawatū campus (Palmerston North)
-
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Not open to international students
Study a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics – PGCertAppLing
The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics is for professionals in all areas of second language teaching. It focuses on second-language acquisition, teaching and language use in an increasingly globalised and digitally mediated world.
You can explore areas such as contextually relevant teaching of languages, reflective practices to enhance teaching and learning, and the sociocultural demands of language learning and teaching.
Learn from the experts
You’ll be taught by distinguished educators who have researched in areas such as:
- online second-language communities
- distance/online language learning
- sociocultural adjustment of international students and their teachers to their presence in New Zealand universities
- language learning and emotion
- bi/multilingualism
- oral proficiency
- heritage language learning
- mother tongue maintenance.
A PGCertAppLing is a good fit if you:
- are passionate about languages
- work with languages and language teaching, including TESOL
- are curious about how we learn languages and how we teach them.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics you will have been awarded or qualified for a relevant bachelor’s degree, or equivalent.
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.
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 on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete some undergraduate and all postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
More information
- General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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 be 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 Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics
Structure of the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics
If you study full-time you’ll take 60 credits in 1 semester.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics is only available without specialisation (endorsement).
Courses and specialisations
Courses and specialisations
Credit summary
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
60 credits
- Courses from the Schedule – 60 credits
Course code: 272702 Second Language Learning Theories and Processes 30 credits
A critical examination of theoretical perspectives accounting for second language learning processes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272703 Contemporary Approaches to Language Teaching Methodology 30 credits
A critical survey of different approaches and methods used to develop language skills.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272704 Contextualising Curriculum and Materials Design 30 credits
A study of the principles, practice and contextualised nature of curriculum and materials design.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272705 Advanced TESOL for diverse learners and contexts 30 credits
An advanced and critical survey of current trends, policy, theory, and practice for diverse learners and contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272706 Discourse Analysis 30 credits
An advanced exploration of key theoretical and analytical frameworks in discourse analysis and how to apply these to empirical data in a range of discourse genres.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272707 Language Documentation 30 credits
A practical introduction to language documentation to support language community goals, foregrounding the ethical responsibilities of researchers, while critically reflecting on how language documentation outcomes are communicated to community, academic and general audiences.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272715 Current Issues in Applied Linguistics 30 credits
A critical examination of current issues in applied linguistics research from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
View full course detailsFees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
2026 tuition fees
- Domestic students: $5,326
- International students: Not applicable
Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (60 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $582 for on-campus students and $474 for distance students for full-time study (60 credits). For more information about this fee and other fees you may need to pay, see non-tuition fees.
There may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Course fees
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. Students who are eligible for final-year fees free can normally receive up to 120 credits of fees free. However, if you choose to study this certificate you will only receive up to 60 credits fees free. You will not be able to claim the remaining 60 credits of fees free for future qualifications. For further information see the Inland Revenue website.
Scholarships and awards
Find more scholarships and awardsRelated study options
Linguistics – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Use language to drive your career. With Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Linguistics), you can study linguistics without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Linguistics – Bachelor of Arts
Learn about how language works and how people use it. Grow your ability to lead cross-cultural interactions and drive social change in an increasingly communicatively diverse world.
Linguistics – Diploma in Arts
Build on your understanding of how language works. Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Linguistics) will teach you the concepts and structures in languages and cultures around the world.
Linguistics – Bachelor of Communication
If you love language and want to broaden your career options in communication, the Bachelor of Communication (Linguistics) offers the best of both worlds.
Linguistics – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Use language to drive your career. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Linguistics) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in linguistics without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Without Specialisation – Master of Applied Linguistics
Take your career to the next level with Massey’s Master of Applied Linguistics. Help make second-language teaching more accessible in a multilingual world.
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