- 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
-
1 year part-time. Not available for full-time study.
- Where you can study
-
Distance and online
-
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Not open to international students
Study a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Support – PGCertLrnSup
The Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Support integrates theory and practice to explore key aspects of Learning Support. Through this qualification you will extend your knowledge, skills and networks. It will provide you with a space to learn with, from and about other Learning Support professionals such as LSC and SENCo throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
The certificate is designed around the application of the Teacher Standards to the Learning Support role, and aims to develop your competence and confidence to:
- develop inclusive, equitable and culturally responsive education practices in schools and kura
- understand curricula, New Zealand legislation and policies and contemporary theories relating to learning support
- enquire into your practice
- enact Universal Design for Learning principles to meet the diverse needs of ākonga
- effect change at a systems level
- facilitate teams to support whānau, teachers and learners.
Tailored to your needs
You’ll be able to design your own learning pathway relevant to your professional needs within your school context. The Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Support uses a flexible online learning environment, so you can study when and where it suits you, using webinars, forum discussions that spotlight good practice and modules of learning linked to your everyday practice.
Further study
After graduating, you may continue study at postgraduate diploma level.
A PGCertLrnSup is a good fit if you:
- are working as a Special Educational Need Coordinator (SENCo), Learning Support Coordinator (LSC) or as a teacher in a learning support role
- want to make education systems in Aotearoa New Zealand more equitable and inclusive for all learners
- have an interest in neurodiversity and working alongside educators to differentiate learning.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
This is a selected entry qualification. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet.
To enter the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Support you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree in teaching, or equivalent
- hold registration as a teacher with a current practising certificate from the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
- have completed at least 2 years of relevant teaching experience.
You will also be selected into the qualification on the basis of a process which includes providing:
- copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
- a copy of your current curriculum vitae – including education and employment for at least the last 5 years.
- details of your educational and professional qualifications, employment history with dates and descriptions of roles and responsibilities, membership of associations/organisations, and a list of professional publications and research reports.
- a copy of your current practising certificate issued by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The selection process may also require the assessment of a professional portfolio.
If you have applied for a Ministry of Education study award and/or hold a Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour position, you should be applying for the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Learning and Behaviour).
Application closing date
If you are a new-to-Massey student, applications close on 23 January.
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 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 Learning Support
Structure of the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Support
You will study part-time over 2 semesters.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Support is awarded without endorsement.
Courses and specialisations
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
- 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 for the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning Support
Course code: 249730 Learning Support: Networked Learning 30 credits
An advanced study of the principles and practices of learning support provision in the school sector.
View full course detailsCourse code: 249731 Learning Support: Professional Practice 30 credits
An in-depth exploration and application of the specialist knowledge base and skills required for school leaders of learning support.
View full course detailsFees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
2026 tuition fees
- Domestic students: $4,245
- 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.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Find more 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.
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