Thinking about a career change? Here's where to start

People change careers at every stage of life, whether they're looking for more purpose, better work-life balance, higher income potential, or a new challenge.

Many of our online learners study while continuing to work, making it possible to change careers into your 50!

Start by thinking about what motivates you, the skills you already have, and the type of work you'd enjoy.

Research different industries, explore current job opportunities, and consider talking to people working in roles that interest you.

Once you've identified any skills gaps, you can choose a study pathway that helps prepare you for your next step as a job changer.

If you'd like personalised study advice, online Enrolment Support team can help you explore study options, answer questions about online learning, and discuss which programmes may be the best fit for your career goals.

For general career change advice, Tahatū | Career Navigator have a list of resources for help with career guidance. 

Yes — especially with Tuihono UC | UC Online.

Many of our learners retrain while working, caring for whānau, or balancing other commitments. Flexible online study allows you to fit learning around your schedule, so you can continue progressing towards a new career without putting your life on pause.

Online study can help prepare you for careers across a wide range of industries, including business, health, data science, artificial intelligence, criminal justice, education, and more.

The right pathway depends on your interests, previous experience, and long-term career goals — view our study options. 

Every career change is different. For example, it takes two years to become a registered nurse through our Master of Health Sciences (Nursing), whereas our six-month Certificate in Criminal Justice may give you the skills you need to become a probation officer. 

We know it's frustrating not to see a specific answer, but your timeline depends on your existing experience, the career you're moving into, and how much time you can dedicate to studying.

We recommend exploring Tahatū | Career Navigator for estimates based on UC Online and other Aotearoa providers. 

Yes — you'll graduate with the same internationally recognised University of Canterbury degree and education that on-campus learners do. The only difference is how you study!

Our part-time study options have specifically been designed for people working full-time. Our online learning is built around bite-sized, interactive study modules — not just recorded lectures.

As long as you meet assessment deadlines, and attend any required live sessions (such as our in-person intensive days for nursing) you can learn after work, while the kids are at school, or even in the middle of the night if that's what works for you!

Our online options are designed to support people seeking careers for change — learn more about how online study works.

Many people continue working while they study, allowing them to build new skills without stepping away from their income.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for student loans, scholarships or employer support — check out payment options when studying a programme with us.

Studying part-time can also help spread both the workload and the cost over a longer period.

Yes, each year we offer a range of Tuihono UC | UC Online scholarships. We also encourage job changers to check out other University of Canterbury scholarships they may be eligible for.

A range of other organisations also fund scholarships nz, which you can explore:

• Scholarships in New Zealand (studyspy.ac.nz)
• Scholarships | Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai Tara (universitiesnz.ac.nz)
• If you’re an international learner, you may find the Study with New Zealand website helpful for advice about international scholarships nz. 

This is often when people decide to return to study for extra skill development. 

Our online programmes are designed with real-world industry in mind, meaning you'll complete clinical placements in our health programmes, or complete assignments similar to reports you'd expect to be making in a real project management role, for example. 

In summary: building relevant knowledge through study, gaining practical experience where possible, and highlighting your transferable skills can all help you make the transition when seeking careers for change. 

Think about where you want your career to go, then look for a course or programme that develops the skills employers in that field are seeking.

If you're unsure, speaking with an enrolment advisor can help you compare different study options and find the pathway that best suits your goals.

The "best" career depends on your interests, strengths and goals. However, industries such as healthcare, technology, education, business and data continue to offer strong opportunities across Aotearoa — and inform the programmes we choose to develop online.

Things change fast, however, so we recommend researching current job demand, expected growth and salary information alongside the type of work you'd enjoy to find the right fit for you.

It depends on the career you want to pursue. Some professions require a university qualification, while others develop staff through apprenticeships.

If you're unsure, we recommend researching the entry requirements for your ideal role via Tahatū | Career Navigator and identifying your skills gaps.

As well as certificates, diplomas, and degrees, UC Online also offers a range of short courses (5 - 50 hours) helping you build practical skills in areas like project management, AI, and leadership. They're a great way to gain work-ready skills through a recognised, respected provider, or to try online learning before committing to a longer qualification.

Our Enrolment Support team can help you explore the study pathways that best support your goals once you've identified an area of interest for changing careers.