Sports courses

About Graduate Diploma In Sport And Exercise in Southern Institute of Technology

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.

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.

Career Opportunities

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.

Satisfactory Completion

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.

Language Requirements

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 per cent, 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 passed an NZQA approved English Proficiency  Assessment, or one of the following tests of English language competence in accordance with the NZQA rules below:

• 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 of 5 TWE
• TOEFL Internet-based test iBT Score of 60 (with a writing score of 20)
• University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations FCE or FCE for schools or CAE or CPE with a score of 169.No less than 162 in each skill.
• Pearson Test of English Academic PToE Academic  with score of 50
• City & Guilds IESOL B2 Communicator with a score of 66
• NZCEL Level 4  with the Academic endorsement 

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they: 

1. Have gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements or
2. Hold a bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America or
3. Have achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA or passed one of the English language tests listed above.

All enrolments in the Graduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise are approved at the discretion of the programme manager in consultation with the head of faculty and teaching staff as required.

Southern Institute of Technology Highlights

New Zealand Living Expenses

You'll require between $20,000 and $25,000 a year ($380–480 per week) for housing/rent, food, transportation, phone bills, internet usage, and entertainment, in addition to your tuition and insurance fees. The average living expense will be the same for everyone, regardless of their tuition or course price. Please keep in mind that these are only suggestions; the Immigration New Zealand requirement is $15,000 per year including return travel or an additional $2,000.

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