Programme overview
The New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation, and Exercise is a contemporary and career-focused programme that provides a mix of practical sessions, classroom-based activities, and industry learning. You’ll enjoy interactions with a variety of organisations within the sector who have been key employers of our graduates for over twenty years. You may even work with some of them through organised work placements.
In the community sport and recreation pathway, it's easy to fit your study around your work and whānau commitments. You’ll learn about how community sport and recreation currently operates in Aotearoa New Zealand, and develop the skills required to engage with both clubs and clients to meet their community sport and recreation goals. From there, you’ll have the opportunity to integrate and facilitate the implementation of a wide range of initiatives for community wellness.
If you've already successfully completed the New Zealand Certificate in Community Sport and Recreation, you only need to complete an additional four courses of the diploma!
What you'll learn
- Hauora (health and wellbeing)
- Sport psychology
- Movement and physical activity
- Physical education
- Outdoor fitness
- Community development
- Community sport
- Sport club leadership, management and governance
Highlights
- Flexibility in how you complete this programme, with both full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 years) options available
- You’ll learn really practical skills like designing and delivering community health and wellness initiatives so that you can get going immediately once you graduate
- You’ll develop transferable skills like event management, leadership, and digital skills, so you’ll be able to work in many different areas of the fitness industry, as well as other industries
- You’ll be taught by knowledgeable and passionate staff who are highly connected to the industry
- You'll graduate with high Māori and Pasifika cultural competencies
- Throughout the programme, you'll have the opportunity to experience 50+ hours of work-based learning across multiple sport, exercise and recreation organisations
- You’ll have access to a range of sport and gym facilities while you study
- We have two scholarships available for new students, with priority given to Māori and Pasifika applicants
Work and earn with Auckland Council while you study Sport, Recreation and Exercise
At Unitec, we are excited to announce our new partnership with Auckland Council which provides an opportunity for students to work while they are studying in Sport, Recreation and Exercise. This work-connected pathway will give you the opportunity to earn while you learn, similar to a paid internship or an apprenticeship.
Auckland Council offers a variety of part-time positions that you can apply for. Being employed in the field in which you are studying provides up-to-date knowledge, financial support, and helps to develop your personal skills, your professional skills and your CV right from the start.
Need more information?
All Auckland Council Pathway applicants will be asked to be part of an interview conversation to develop an individual plan for study/work and to begin the application process for employment at Auckland Council.
If you would like a conversation about this programme, please contact: alenton@unitec.ac.nz
Want More Information?
Feel free to contact the team with any further questions!
Admission requirements
This is a very popular programme, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
Academic requirements
You will need to provide the following, at different points of your application process.
- Have at least 48 credits at NCEA Level 2 (or equivalent) in your 4 best subjects, and;
- Consent to a Safety Check which meets the requirements of the Children Act 2014 (formerly known as the Vulnerable Children's Act) including:
- Provide two forms of verified ID and evidence of any name changes;
- Consent to a police vet check;
- Complete a self-declaration of criminal convictions and medical conditions form
If you don’t meet the academic criteria above, we have a range of Foundation and Bridging Education programmes which will help you prepare for further academic study.
English requirements
If English is not your first language you will also need one or more of the following:
- Have achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University entrance;
- Be able to provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency;
- Have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years.
If you don’t meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available, depending on your current level of ability.
If you don’t meet these requirements, you may still apply under special or discretionary entrance.
For more information download the programme regulations:
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses including timetables, please click on the course names below.
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Learning Options (SPOR5100) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | To equip students with a range of practical skills that will enable them to operate effectively as a professional in a variety of sport, recreation, and exercise settings. |
| Applied Digital Skills (SPOR5102) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course will develop digital literacy and the skills required to create content and lead and manage tasks in a range of sport and exercise contexts. Students will be able to apply these skills utilising a range of current and emerging technologies. |
| Community Sport and Recreation (SPOR5103) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course will explore how sport and recreation can contribute to holistic health and social development within local and national communities. Students will have the opportunity to critically evaluate the impact of socio-cultural factors on human development and wellbeing and gain a basic understanding of effective population level approaches that use physical activity. |
| Concepts of Sport and Exercise Science (SPOR5104) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course will introduce underlying principles of sport and exercise science as and allow students to apply them in a variety of contexts related to health, well-being, physical activity, and performance. |
| Event Leadership (SPOR5105) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | This course develops students’ knowledge and understanding of principles and concepts of sport event management. Students will also have an opportunity to develop foundational knowledge and skills needed to plan and implement community-based sport events. |
| Professional Practice (SPOR5109) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The purpose of this course is to explore contemporary practice in a range of sport, recreation and exercise contexts to develop the learners’ professional capabilities for this sector. |
Unitec is part of Te Pūkenga
On 1 October 2022 Unitec became part of Te Pūkenga. Find out more about Te Pūkenga and what this means for you.
