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Te Ara Pūtake New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4)
New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4)
EF1804
Course details
-
Jul 2025Feb 2026
- One semester
- Full-time or Part-time
- $3,890*
- You may qualify for fee-free study under MPTT*
- Level 4
- Available for International Students. International Fee Guideline
- Hamilton City Campus
Summary
This programme is for those who want to begin study, but need to build confidence or brush up on skills. Students will choose from four pathways that align with their career goals, including Health, Social Services, Creative Industries, and Early Childhood.
Students will gain essential academic knowledge, capabilities, and skills needed to succeed at higher levels of study.
Students will be introduced to new ideas and concepts in a step-by-step way, building their confidence as we guide them along the way. Tutors support students at every stage of their journey, and there is an option of whānau-based delivery for Māori and Pacific students in the Health pathway. Classes range from lectures to small classes and labs (Health pathway), with a lot of online support.
On completion of this programme, students will achieve a national qualification, the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4), and be able to apply for further study in their preferred career pathway.
What you will learn
All students will enrol in two core modules and then move to modules from their chosen pathway. The core modules are:
- Whai Whakaaro: Steps to success
- Whakawhitiwhiti Kōrero: Communications
Explore our pathway options below.
Health pathways
The health pathway prepares students for further study in:
- Nursing
- Midwifery
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Health and wellbeing
- Sports science and human performance
Students will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the human body, wellness, and human development. If students would like to learn in a whānau-based Māori and Pacific classroom environment, they can enrol on Te Tūāpapa Hauora.
This pathway is offered in both semesters of the year. Read more about the Centre for Health and Social Practice and our health-related programmes here.
Please note that due to the high volumes of applications for nursing, entry for domestic students is competitive, and waiting lists may apply. Entrance criteria will be based on successful completion of this programme and overall grades achieved. If you have any questions, please contact the Student Enrolment and Information Centre.
Early childhood pathway
The early childhood pathway will prepare students for further study in our early childhood education programme.
Please note: This programme will support students' entry application into the Te Paetahi Akoranga Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) degree but is not a guaranteed pathway. Candidates who complete this course will still need to meet the other entry criteria for the degree (interview, numeracy, and literacy testing).
Social service pathway
Prepare for a career in social work and counselling. Students will learn about values, beliefs, world views, key social issues, and be introduced to career opportunities in the social service sector. This pathway is only offered in semester two. Read more about the Centre for Health and Social Practice.
Creative industries pathway
Prepare for your career in the creative industries and discover what the design, communication, and art industries can offer you. Working with specialists in the School of Media Arts, students will learn relevant tools and technology for their craft and gain knowledge and understanding of the creative process. Students will develop and apply their skills in projects and be given the opportunity to exhibit their work in a showcase event.
There are four streams to select from in the media arts pathway, and these are aligned to future study and career pathways:
- Communication - for those interested in media, journalism, writing, marketing communication or screen arts production
- Visual art - for those interested in painting, sculpture, photography, design or screen arts production
- Design - for those interested in graphic design, visual communication, and/or spatial design
Some prior credits or experience in the areas of visual art and design are useful for these pathways (eg 12 Level 1 NCEA credits), or you can attend an interview with Media Arts staff to help find the best fit.
Media Arts offers
a range of creative degrees studying communications, creative media, digital marketing, screen arts production, visual communication/graphic design, painting, sculpture, and photography. Read more about the School of Media Arts.
View programme modules
Note: no value in the pre/co-requisite columns means there are no pre/co-requisites for that module.
Group A: Health pathway modules
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEDU401B | Whai Whakaaro: Steps to success | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU402B | Whakawhitiwhiti Kōrero: Communications | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU403B | Hauora and Human Development | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU404B | Applied Structure and Function of the Human Body | 4 | 15 |
Group C: Early Childhood pathway modules
Please note: this pathway provides a pathway to the Wintec Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) for over 20-year-olds only. Those aged under 20 require university entrance to gain entry to the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE).
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEDU401B | Whai Whakaaro: Steps to success | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU402B | Whakawhitiwhiti Kōrero: Communications | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU403B | Hauora and Human Development | 4 | 15 | ||
| And one of the following: | |||||
| GEDU405B | Introduction to Early Childhood | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU407 | Directed Project | 4 | 15 |
Group D: Social Services pathway modules
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEDU401B | Whai Whakaaro: Steps to success | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU402B | Whakawhitiwhiti Kōrero: Communications | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU403B | Hauora and Human Development | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU406B | Introduction to Social Services | 4 | 15 |
Group G: Creative Industries pathway modules
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEDU401B | Whai Whakaaro: Steps to success | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU402B | Whakawhitiwhiti Kōrero: Communications | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU409 | Creative Project | 4 | 15 | ||
| GEDU410 | Creative Practice | 4 | 15 |
Graduate profile
Marama Hill always dreamed of being a midwife, and now, thanks to completing the Wintec Te Ara Pūtake Academic Pathway course, her dream will become a reality next month.
The mum of six has worn many hats over the years, she is a qualified chef by trade, but the long hours and late nights of hospitality were too strenuous on her family. So she retired as a chef and started working as an early childhood teacher. But now that the time is right, and her children are older, she is returning to study midwifery – her lifelong dream.
Career/further opportunities
Graduates of this programme may have enhanced employment opportunities in industries and professions associated with the context of their programme.
Holders of this qualification will be able to progress to further study or training at NZQF Level 5 and above (degree, diploma, or certificate) related to the context of their programme.
Frequently asked questions
How much time outside of class will I need to spend on study?
This is a full-time course equivalent to 37 hours of study each week. Apart from the scheduled 20 hours of classes, you are expected to spend an additional four hours per week of self-directed study for each course. Self-directed study includes, but is not limited to:
- Planning and preparing for assessments
- Reviewing your class notes and any resources on Moodle
- Reading the recommended readings/materials directed by your tutor
- Previewing the topic of the week before coming to class and doing any recommended readings or exercises to prepare for the session
- Flipped classroom preparation
Who is this certificate best suited to and what are the benefits?
This programme is ideal for anyone who does not meet the entry requirements for a specific course, is unsure of what programme to study, or has been out of study for a long time and wants to build confidence and brush up on academic skills.
One of the main benefits is that after only six months of study, you will have the skills, knowledge and confidence to progress to further study at degree level.
Can I work and study at the same time?
As a full-time programme, we advise limiting your work hours to what you can manage. We recommend that those in employment take advantage of our part-time option, which includes the flexibility to work while you study.
Events
Disclaimers
Entry criteria
You can apply for this programme if you meet one of the below options.
Based on your school achievement (secondary school study)
- 40 credits at NCEA Level 2; including 10 literacy credits at NCEA Level 2 and 10 numeracy credits at NCEA Level 1;
- Or a recognised equivalent.
Based on study completed after school (tertiary study)
- A relevant course at NZQF Level 3;
- Or a recognised equivalent.
Based on discretionary entrance
If you don’t meet any of the above options, and you think you have what it takes to complete this programme, you can apply for discretionary entrance. Your application may be accepted if you can demonstrate a good chance of success. Approval of discretionary entrance applications is decided by the relevant manager. If your application is approved, your acceptance into further programmes relies on you demonstrating success in this programme.
Selection criteria
Candidates may be required to participate in an interview.
English language requirements
Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 or equivalent.
Want to see full details of the entry criteria?
Don't meet the entry criteria?
Pathways
To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.
Your first day
Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.
Semester 2 2025
All streams
Whānau evening
Date: Wednesday 9 July 2025
Time: 4.30pm-5.30pm
Venue: Wharekai/wharenui, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa (Wintec Marae), City Campus
Induction day
Date: Friday 18 July 2025
Time: 10am-1.30pm
Venue: The Atrium, City Campus
Wayfinder health stream
Pacific family evening
Date: Thursday 10 July 2025
Time: 5.30pm-6.30pm
Venue: Centre for Learners of Oceania in Vocational Excellence (C4LOVE), City Campus
Induction day
Date: Thursday 17 July 2025
Time: 9am-12pm
Venue: Centre for Learners of Oceania in Vocational Excellence (C4LOVE), City Campus
If you are a new student, it is compulsory for you to attend your induction (first day) and we welcome you to bring whānau, family and friends to support you. You will be introduced to your tutors and new classmates, be given an overview of this programme, and receive a personalised timetable. Remember to get prepared before induction day and make all necessary arrangements for childcare, work and transport.
Prospectus (course guide)
The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.
Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus
The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.
Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus
Portfolio
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