Short-term courses in New Zealand for international students have proven engaging and effective for those who want to upskill their careers. These programs last one week to three months and are available in various fields, such as business, healthcare, education, and science. Short courses in New Zealand are the fastest way to gain specific knowledge and competencies to pursue your passion or expand your work skills.
If you want to study in New Zealand, why not arrange a free consultation with SI-NZ? Our educational consultants will take you through your study options in New Zealand and help you apply.
Why Study a Short Course in New Zealand?
Enrolling in short courses has many benefits, especially when trying your luck in a highly competitive industry. You can find these programs based on your skill set and interests. Short-term courses are highly beneficial for developing your professional and personal skills.
1. Cost-Effective Learning
One of the many benefits of taking short courses in New Zealand is learning new skills. These are less extensive and cheaper than degree programs, allowing you to improve your knowledge and specialised skills.
2. Expand your Professional Network
When pursuing certificate courses in New Zealand, you get time to meet new people from your industry. From your classmates to professors and mentors, it allows you to make connections within your industry, which is a great learning experience.
3. Enhanced Career Opportunities
The short-term courses offer you certifications, which provide a pathway to enter the demanding job market. Some short courses also combine skills and knowledge from two or more fields, which are highly valuable and give your resume a kickstart to excel in your career.
4. Learn Skills Outside Your Comfort Zone
The short-term courses in New Zealand for international students aren’t restricted to specific fields or disciplines. So, if you are looking for certification programs that aren’t in your field, you can find courses based on your hobbies and interests, such as short courses in cooking or photography.
5. Flexibility and Convenience
Another significant advantage of short courses is that they provide flexibility. For example, traditional programs can be daunting and challenging for a working professional. On the other hand, online short-term courses allow you to learn and gain skills at your own pace.
Short Courses in New Zealand
Many New Zealand universities, such as the University of Auckland and the University of Waikato, provide different types of certification programs in many fields.
Global Advance Diploma in Professional Cookery
A global advance diploma is a short-term professional cookery program that offers blended learning, including lectures, webinars, and practical assessments to gain hands-on experience. During the course, you will learn kitchen management skills, advanced cooking methods, food trends, and regional food culture. With this diploma program, you can opt for a career in food and beverage service management or join the catering industry.
- University/Institute offering: International Culinary Studio Canterbury
- Course duration: 36 weeks
- Course fees: $2999
Marine Science for Conservation
This program benefits science students, providing exciting, hands-on opportunities to explore marine conservation in New Zealand. You will achieve an in-depth understanding of the principles of marine conservation and skills to support ecosystem-based marine environment management. The short course combines field trips, seminars, and lab experiments related to marine conservation issues. After completing the course, you can pursue careers as an environmental manager, marine scientist, or academic teacher.
- University/Institute offering: University of Waikato
- Course duration: 6 weeks
- Course fees: $14,595
Diploma in Audio Engineering
During the course, you will learn various audio-engineering skills to produce different types of music and recordings professionally. You will work with the latest audio equipment and music software to create music and other sound-related projects. It is an efficient course that gives you ample time and expert lectures to understand sound technology and music through lectures, seminars, and practical assignments. After completing the course, you can work as a sound technician, record producer, and music composer.
- University/Institute offering: SAE Creative Media Institute
- Course duration: 1 year
- Course fees: $12,371
Vehicle Inspectors Preparatory Course
This refresher preparatory course program trains you to conduct vehicle inspections. The course is a comprehensive program designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the automotive industry. After completing this short course in New Zealand, you can get into a career as a professional vehicle inspector.
- University/Institute offering: Unitec Te Pukenga Institute of Skill and Technology
- Course duration: 2 weeks
- Course fees: $950
Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management
A graduate diploma is an entry-level program focusing on analysing and studying the tourism industry. You will learn about national and international tourism and build skills in tourism and travel management work practices. The curriculum comprises industry visits, field trips, and more. Upon completing the course, you can work as a travel provider or in government agencies, accommodation, and conferences.
- University/institute offering: Lincoln University
- Course duration: 1 year
- Course fees: $16,000
Admission Process for Short Courses in New Zealand
The step-by-step process to apply for short courses in New Zealand is as follows -
- Choose an institution and course
- Enquire about the fees and entry requirements
- Fill out the application form and submit the evidence of meeting English language tests
- Upload the required documents and pay the application fees
- Submit the application form and wait for the acceptance letter
Eligibility Criteria for Short Courses in New Zealand
The eligibility requirements for short-term courses in New Zealand depend on the type of course and the institution’s demand.
- Applicants must have passed matriculation and higher secondary examinations with more than 50% marks for short diploma and certificate programs in New Zealand.
- Students must also have passed English proficiency tests, such as IELTS/TOEFL/PTE, with minimum qualifying scores.
Short-Term Courses for Employment in New Zealand
The job market in New Zealand is at a peak now, welcoming overseas students and offering excellent post-study work rights in different fields. The country’s employment rate is increasing by 3% annually, which is excellent for part-time and full-time job opportunities. In such cases, short-term programs are a fantastic option to kickstart your career. Here are some popular short courses in New Zealand that you can opt for and where this program can take you.
Short-Term Course |
High-Paying Job/Career |
Average Salary/ annually |
Culinary Arts |
Chef |
$44,500 - $54,132 |
Healthcare |
Medical receptionist |
$45,000 - $55,000 |
Information Technology |
Information technology consultant |
$66,496 - $99,595 |
Audio Engineering |
Sound technician |
$47,000 - $80,000 |
Tourism Management |
Customer service representative |
$55,000 - $60,000 |
Universities and Institutes Offering Short-Term Courses
Here is the list of educational institutions and universities that offer vocational courses to international students:
- International Culinary Studio Canterbury
- University of Waikato
- Unitec Te Pukenga Institute of Skill and Technology
- Lincoln University
- Auckland Institute of Studies
- New Zealand Institute of Education
- Southern Institute of Technology
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Massey University
- University of Canterbury
- SAE Creative Media Institute
Study Short-Term Courses in New Zealand
If you want to study in New Zealand, you can give yourself the best chance of successfully applying by arranging a free consultation with SI-New Zealand today.