New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Multi-Sector) - Exercise pathway

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 exercise pathway, it's easy to fit your study around your work and whānau commitments. You’ll learn how to create personalised exercise programmes, then deliver them to clients to help them achieve their health and fitness goals. You'll gain an understanding of how to design and deliver small-group programmes, and you'll also be able to turn your passion into a business by utilizing key marketing and business skills. 

By completing this pathway, you'll be eligible to apply for a listing on to the NZ Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs).

If you've already successfully completed the New Zealand Certificate in Exercise, you only need to complete an additional four courses of the diploma!

What you'll learn

• Hauora (health and wellness)
• Personal training (PT)
• Fitness instruction
• Strength and conditioning
• Nutrition and diet
• Sport psychology
• Movement and physical activity

Highlights

• Upon successful completion, you'll be eligible to apply for a listing on to the NZ Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)
• 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 personalised exercise programmes 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

REPs registration

Upon successful completion of this programme, you’ll be eligible to be listed on REPs, which operates a registration body for exercise professionals (as well as exercise facilities and educational providers) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Both Exercise New Zealand and the International Confederation of Registers of Exercise Professionals (ICREPs) recognises REPs as a universal standard to ensure that clients receive safe and effective exercise advice.

Some of the key benefits of being REPs registered are:

• It’s a publically recognisable, promotable and marketable quality mark;
• You’ll have access to marketing material that you can use to promote yourself and your business;
• REPs is internationally recognised, which means you’ll be able to operate from anywhere in the world;
• You’ll be listed on a publically-searchable database;
• You’ll have access to continuing professional development courses and further education;
• You’ll have access to other valuable tools and resources.

A few important things to know:

• Individuals registered with REPS are required to complete 10 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points per year;
• There is an annual registration fee, which depends on your employment situation.

You can find out more about REPs and its benefits here. 

Scholarship

We have 2 NZ Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise scholarships available, worth $1,500 each. Find out more information below!

Sport, Recreation and Exercise scholarships

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!

Contact us