Are you ready to apply to our Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies?

Congratulations on taking the next step towards further study! Applications to enrol into our Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies are now open for our July start-date. If you're interested in studying later in 2025 or 2026, please sign up for enrolment updates. Please note: enrolments are limited, and applicants may be waitlisted. 

When you apply to enrol into a programme with Tuihono UC | UC Online you're applying to Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. This means you'll be part of the University of Canterbury student body, and are eligible for a wide range of support and digital services.

Get your documentation ready

Before you start your application to enrol in the Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies, you'll need to prepare these documents:

• Verified evidence of your identity, such as a certified copy of your birth certificate, or a certified copy of the photo page in your passport. There are additional requirements depending on your visa status, or if you have legally changed your name - for more information view full verification requirements.
• Proof of your academic qualifications, such as a transcript or your UC student ID number if you studied your undergraduate degree with us. If you graduated with a bachelor's degree from another university, you will need to request a digital copy of your transcript through them.
• For international learners: proof of your English language proficiency. You will also be expected to participate in an online interview with a member of the faculty as part of the application process.

It's also helpful to have: 

• Your National Student Number on hand - if you have one. You can locate your number through the NZQA website.
• Prepared two short paragraphs explaining what interests you about studying this programme, and what you'd like to achieve with the postgraduate certificate.

How many courses do I choose? 

Please add your first course for 2025 at this stage. We will be in touch later in the year when you can update your enrolment with your second course.

The course you will need to search for and select is:

• COUN681 – Solution-focused Theory and Skills with Individuals and Groups (14 July - 16 November 2025)

The specific course codes to search for during the application process is COUN681. The correct course to select will then be shown in the course selector as COUN681-25X3(O)

Cap & minimum enrolment threshold: a minimum number of learners is needed for effective interaction and feedback, while a maximum cap of learners ensures high quality learning and support. If the minimum number of enrolments required for a course isn’t met, or the maximum cap is exceeded, learners will be given the option to defer their study or receive a refund

In-person intensives

Please note: learners are required to attend 8 days of in-person intensives on-site at the University of Canterbury (four in 2025, and four in 2026). Dates for these sessions will be confirmed with enrolled learners.

Submit your StudyLink application ASAP

If you’re planning on using a StudyLink student loan to finance your study, we recommend applying as soon as possible. StudyLink can take up to a month to process your application, so submitting early gives you the best chance of having everything ready for the start of your learning.

Need help with your application?

We recommend allowing up to an hour to complete the application process. If you get stuck along the way, our team are here to help: 

• info@uconline.ac.nz 
• + 64 3 369 0600

You can also download our handy enrolment guide (PDF) with screenshots and more detailed instructions for support along the way.