Graduate Certificate in Project Management
Learn the practical realities of project management with this flexible, fully online qualification.
60 points, 4 months (full-time) or 9-12 months + (part-time)
Online
February (Trimester A), July (Trimester B), and November (Trimester C)
Why study the Graduate Certificate in Project Management?
The drive for constant business innovation has led to increasing demand for qualified project managers to work in New Zealand and overseas, typically in sectors such as IT, government and consulting firms, as well as the emerging 'gig economy'.
These dynamic professionals are responsible for leading teams of people, planning and delivering on all aspects of a new project, from logistics through to finance and technology. Their task is to achieve outcomes that will add value to business and improve performance.
Waikato's Graduate Certificate in Project Management (GradCertPM) will set you up with the knowledge and technical skills to work as a project manager in a wide range of industries.
This course is made up of four papers taught completely online, giving you the freedom to study from anywhere you like, at your own pace.
60 points, 4 months (full-time) or 9-12 months + (part-time)
Online
February (Trimester A), July (Trimester B), and November (Trimester C)
Degree information
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Plan your study -
Entry Requirements To enrol in the GradCertPM, you need to have completed a bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any subject, with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300-level papers.
If you do not have a bachelor's degree, you can still be considered for admission to the GradCertPM based on academic merit and relevant experience. Please speak to one of our advisors in the Management Student Centre, email msc@waikato.ac.nz
To enrol in the GradCertPM, you need to have completed a bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any subject, with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300-level papers.
If you do not have a bachelor's degree, you can still be considered for admission to the GradCertPM based on academic merit and relevant experience.
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Fees and scholarships Estimated fees
$3,871 (60 Points) per year
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Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
NZ$18,215 approx per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
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Graduate outcomes Graduates will be able to:
· Engage real-world problems in a theoretically informed and questioning manner.
· Be skilled and persistent at accessing information through a variety of media and evaluating its relevance to a situation or topic.
· Synthesise knowledge from academic disciplines and practice to achieve a broad perspective on the multitude of factors – internal and external – that impact on the organisation.
· Plan their work to meet time and structural constraints. They are adaptable to change; progressive; innovative; and able to identify solutions and opportunities that add value to an organisation.
· Demonstrate the skills for career self-management, including self-realisation, awareness of potential, and the ability to plan for education and growth.
· Demonstrate creative problem solving skills, including the ability to observe, diagnose, think critically and apply a systems or holistic approach to a problem.
· Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the project management environment.
· Demonstrate the specific skills and competencies expected of a project management professional.
Practical skills
Students will develop a wide range of skills and personal attributes through the GradCertPM:
- A comprehensive understanding of the project management environment
- Applied understanding of project management tools and techniques
- Ability to observe, diagnose, think critically and creatively
- Can identify new opportunities to add value to an organisation's performance
- Be innovative and adaptable to change, with a good eye for detail
- Able to identify risks and issues that could impact on projects, and apply a systems or holistic approach to solve problems
- Have a clear understanding of project deliverables, and meet project goals on time
- Understand how to develop and implement new business processes
- Be able to manage budgets and project timelines
- Able to work well under pressure, with strong organisational skills
- Excellent skills in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills
- Ability to successfully manage relationships with senior leadership, key stakeholders and project team members.
To enrol in the GradCertPM, you need to have completed a bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any subject, with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300-level papers.
If you do not have a bachelor's degree, you can still be considered for admission to the GradCertPM based on academic merit and relevant experience. Please speak to one of our advisors in the Management Student Centre, email msc@waikato.ac.nz
To enrol in the GradCertPM, you need to have completed a bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any subject, with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300-level papers.
If you do not have a bachelor's degree, you can still be considered for admission to the GradCertPM based on academic merit and relevant experience.
Estimated fees
$3,871 (60 Points) per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
NZ$18,215 approx per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Graduates will be able to:
· Engage real-world problems in a theoretically informed and questioning manner.
· Be skilled and persistent at accessing information through a variety of media and evaluating its relevance to a situation or topic.
· Synthesise knowledge from academic disciplines and practice to achieve a broad perspective on the multitude of factors – internal and external – that impact on the organisation.
· Plan their work to meet time and structural constraints. They are adaptable to change; progressive; innovative; and able to identify solutions and opportunities that add value to an organisation.
· Demonstrate the skills for career self-management, including self-realisation, awareness of potential, and the ability to plan for education and growth.
· Demonstrate creative problem solving skills, including the ability to observe, diagnose, think critically and apply a systems or holistic approach to a problem.
· Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the project management environment.
· Demonstrate the specific skills and competencies expected of a project management professional.
Practical skills
Students will develop a wide range of skills and personal attributes through the GradCertPM:
- A comprehensive understanding of the project management environment
- Applied understanding of project management tools and techniques
- Ability to observe, diagnose, think critically and creatively
- Can identify new opportunities to add value to an organisation's performance
- Be innovative and adaptable to change, with a good eye for detail
- Able to identify risks and issues that could impact on projects, and apply a systems or holistic approach to solve problems
- Have a clear understanding of project deliverables, and meet project goals on time
- Understand how to develop and implement new business processes
- Be able to manage budgets and project timelines
- Able to work well under pressure, with strong organisational skills
- Excellent skills in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills
- Ability to successfully manage relationships with senior leadership, key stakeholders and project team members.
Why study at Waikato?
Study fully online
The GradCertPM is delivered completely online using a leading-edge web platform, giving you the freedom to study from anywhere! Finish in 4 months full-time, or study part-time at your own pace.
Become industry certified
At the end of the course you have the option to sit an exam with the Project Management Institute of New Zealand (PMI) and become a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
Top 1% globally
Waikato Management School sits in the top 1% of business schools globally thanks to our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB), which we've held since 2005.
What is the course like?
The Graduate Certificate in Project Management is ideal for anyone looking to lead projects with confidence and gain an in-demand skillset — all while enjoying the flexibility of fully online study.
It’s particularly suited to professionals in roles where project work is common, but who haven’t yet had the opportunity to gain formal training in this area.
Delivered fully online, the course has been developed in consultation with practising project managers to ensure it's up-to-date and industry focused. You'll receive a high level of personalised online support to help you succeed at every step.
At the University of Waikato, you’ll be taught by expert lecturers who have strong research and teaching experience in project management.
Throughout the course, you'll explore the broader business environment that projects operate within - from strategic planning to day-to-day execution. Then you'll develop a basic mastery of how to deliver successful projects using industry-standard software and techniques, and gain hands-on experience using them in realistic scenarios.
Through real-life case studies and applied scenarios, you’ll grow your confidence in planning, coordinating and executing projects from start to finish.
You'll examine examples of real-world projects, from New Zealand and overseas, identifying the common risks, challenges, and critical success or failure factors. You'll also learn how to manage project timelines and budgets, define clear deliverables, implement new business processes, and take a systems-based approach to problem-solving.
A strong focus is placed on managing the human dynamics of stakeholder relationships, including how to engage effectively with senior leadership, clients, and project team members. You'll develop strong skills in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
In the final capstone paper, you'll bring everything together by creating a project plan grounded in industry expectations and best practice. Along the way, you’ll gain highly transferable skills in leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving - all essential for delivering complex, high-stakes projects under pressure.