This programme aims to develop a broad theoretical knowledge in the fields of sport and exercise and a holistic understanding of sport and exercise and its importance to the community. It recognises the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi to the New Zealand people and raises awareness of the implications of the treaty with respect to community and resource management in the fields of sport and exercise. Students will develop a range of practical expertise in the sport and exercise industry by developing a close working relationship with various organisations.
One year full-time
2022 Semester 2: 18 July to 25 November
2023 Semester 1: 13 February to 23 June
2023 Semester 2: 17 July to 24 November
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Fees can be found here.
The Graduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise will naturally sit alongside the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise programme to give opportunity for study in this discipline to those degree-level graduates from a relevant background, or those already working in the Sport and Recreation industries.
Knowledge in anatomy and nutrition is a prerequisite to course entry.
SE55123 Strength Conditioning and Industry PlacementStudents will make use of exercise prescription, goal setting, movement analysis and programming variation to enhance their understanding of strength conditioning for health and performance. Knowledge gained through active participation in strength conditioning programmes will result in students being able to prescribe safe exercise programmes a range of exercise participants. Students will complete an industry placement in a fitness centre to gain an understanding of personal training and facility/human resource management.
SE6248 Clinical Exercise PhysiologyProvides students with physiological knowledge, skills and understanding which underpin current theories and practice of training for performance and health. The focus of this module will be to examine the physiological basis of training by evaluation and application of scientific research to training theory. The measurement of many of the parameters of fitness will allow students to evaluate fitness and thus allow effective training protocols to be prescribed.
SE6241 Fitness Assessment and ProgrammingThe paper will provide students with physiological knowledge, skills and understanding to carry out effective lifestyle assessment and physical activity programming for the general population. The focus of this module will be on assessing individual needs and designing appropriate exercise programmes. Special considerations will be examined e.g. pregnancy, back problems and cardiac rehabilitation. Related aspects including behaviour change and exercise adherence will also be covered.
SE7330 Marketing and Economics in the Leisure IndustryDevelops a broad understanding of economic and marketing principles for application to business/leisure services. The paper will enable students to understand the economic issues central to an organisation’s activity and decision making. They will develop the knowledge and understanding which is needed to assess a service, budget, promotion and sponsorship options and to make marketing mix recommendations for specific markets.
SE7331 Applied Sport and Leisure ManagementStudents will examine event and human resource management, and plan for and carry out a specific project or event. This paper will develop knowledge of the New Zealand industrial relations system and apply public relations and management theory to the sport/leisure environment. By use of the ‘case study’ system, the paper will enable students to apply theory to practical aspects of leisure management and leisure promotion.
SE7341 Applied Sport ScienceExtends students' knowledge in sports performance, conditioning and testing. Students will gain practical experience by training athletes as well as undertaking investigative studies in sport science. The presentation of seminars to peers on selected topics of interest in this field will ensure that current material is critically analysed, debated and discussed.
SE7342 Exercise and Nutrition as TherapyInvestigates current issues of exercise management and nutrition as therapy for health. The emphasis will be on exercise management and nutrition strategies for specific conditions, including chronic diseases and disabilities.
SE7344 Applied Pedagogy in Sport and Physical EducationExamines good teaching practice and its application to sports coaching and teaching physical education in schools. Teaching methods will be examined and evidenced based research in pedagogy will be critically analysed. The New Zealand Physical Education / Health curriculum will be introduced and linked unit / lesson plans developed. Students will develop skills through practical fieldwork, analysis, observation, planning, reflection and peer teaching / coaching.
Graduates will be able to perform fitness assessments and prescribe exercise programmes, manage sport and recreation facilities and teach health promotion and fitness in various fitness related and educational settings.
Entry is open to degree graduates who have graduated successfully from a relevant bachelor degree programme or can demonstrate equivalent, relevant, practical professional or educational experience in a related discipline. Knowledge in anatomy, physiology and nutrition is required.
All applicants will be required to undergo police vetting for criminal convictions. This information will be shared as required with any placement agency as the majority of agencies working with children and young person’s now require this information to assist them in determining whether to accept students on placement. It is the agency’s right not to accept students and therefore some criminal convictions may seriously impede the students ability to complete the qualification.
English Language Requirements
Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following
NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or
Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or
Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment
IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill. OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 Language Cert - C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band
* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current
Every candidate for the Graduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise is required to follow to the satisfaction of the Board of Studies, a programme of study for a minimum period of one year. The year of study comprises two 17-week semesters.
The overall programme of study for every candidate requires 120 credits for successful completion of the qualification. Individual papers may have specific pre-requisites or other knowledge/skill requirements, which must be satisfied by all students.
In order to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise, the student will have been credited with all required papers and electives as specified in the graduate diploma schedule.
A student completing the Graduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise will normally be expected to complete the one-year (full-time equivalent) within four years. Notwithstanding the requirements set out above, the Head of Faculty with the approval and recommendation of the Board of Studies, may allow a student a longer period to complete the programme.
(Please note: students failing to attend for 80% of timetabled programme hours will forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.)