New Zealand Certificate in Applied Science (Level 4)
This programme can be taken from anywhere in New Zealand with our distance delivery which participants say is more personal than much in-person delivery.
Credits
60
Level
4

To successfully complete the programme, you must successfully complete either the Laboratory track or the Fresh Water Health track.  Each module listed is at Level 4.  Each module listed is 10 credits, unless otherwise indicated.

To successfully complete the Laboratory track of this programme you must successfully complete SCI4008 Collaborative use of scientific information, SCI4005 General Laboratory Safety and your choice of four of the following modules:

  • SCI4009 Basic electric circuits concepts and skills

  • SCI4010 Graduated pipette use

  • SCI4011 Micropipette use

  • SCI4012 Dispensing by mass

  • SCI4013 Aseptic techniques (Please note: requires some in-person attendance)

  • SCI4014 Micro-controller use

  • SCI4015 Laboratory calculations

  • SCI4016  Sampling Project

To successfully complete the Fresh Water Health track of this programme you must successfully complete SCI4100 Core concepts for sampling (5 credits), SCI4101 Environmental water monitoring and sampling, SCI4017 Applied concepts for fresh water quality I (15 credits) and SCI4018 Applied concepts for fresh water quality II (20 credits), and SCI4008 Collaborative use of scientific information.

The modules in the Laboratory track can be taken in any order.  The modules in the Fresh Water Health track must be taken in the order listed above (unless a special exception is approved).

SCI4010, SCI4011 and SCI4012 together are essentially the same as the Mass and Volume Dispensing Proficiency (Micro-credential) Programme. SCI4005 is also the General Laboratory Safety (Micro-credential) Programme. SCI4100 and SCI4101 together are the Environmental Water Monitoring and Sampling (Micro-credential) Programme.  Therefore, those modules can be used toward completion both those programmes and toward completion of this programme.

Who for
This programme is primarily for people who both lack basic laboratory skills and lack laboratory or water sampling employment, but intend to have a laboratory or water sampling career.
Fees

There are three fee statuses.  Click here for details.FeeTypes

NZ domestic: Currently no fees due to generous support through the Tertiary Education Commission.  Without that support, the fee would be over $1860.

International: $4910

We lend

We lend equipment that varies depending on the module options selected.  We pay the courier charges when the items are sent to the participant, and when the participant returns the items.

We also supply disposable items for practical work without charge.

If needed, we can lend a laptop.

Indicative content

Contents depend on optional modules selected. 

Learning outcome(s)

People successfully completing this programme will be able to...

...Collect and examine scientific data to carry out routine tasks in an operational and/or research context.
...Contribute to a team in a scientific workplace.
...Apply health and safety principles relevant to routine tasks in a scientific workplace.
...Apply knowledge of principles of professional, ethical, social, and culturally responsive behaviour in a scientific workplace.

Assessment types

Assessment types depend on optional modules selected.

Entry requirements
  • NCEA Level 2 (or equivalent) or recommendation by a professional laboratory, and
  • demonstration of understanding of the micro-credential, and general suitability for the study through Real World Education's pre-entry process.
Intakes

All 2025 intakes for this programme are full.  If you have an urgent need to take this programme, please apply with the intake code CERT4-ASAP.  If you are accepted, we will put you on a waiting list to replace someone who withdraws.

The programme can be completed much more quickly if done full time.

For the Laboratory Track:

  • Intake CERT4L-6C Starts 02 Feb 2026 and has a recommended completion before 02 Jan 2027
  • Intake CERT4L-6E Starts 02 Mar 2026 and has a recommended completion before 30 Jan 2027
  • Intake CERT4L-6H Starts 13 Apr 2026 and has a recommended completion before 12 Mar 2027
  • Intake CERT4L-6J Starts 04 May 2026 and has a recommended completion before 02 Apr 2027
  • Intake CERT4L-6L Starts 08 Jun 2026 and has a recommended completion before 07 May 2027
  • Intake CERT4L-6N Starts 06 Jul 2026 and has a recommended completion before 04 Jun 2027
  • Intake CERT4L-6P Starts 03 Aug 2026 and has a recommended completion before 02 Jul 2027
  • Intake CERT4L-6R Starts 07 Sep 2026 and has a recommended completion before 06 Aug 2027
  • Intake CERT4L-6T Starts 05 Oct 2026 and has a recommended completion before 03 Sep 2027
  • Intake CERT4L-6V Starts 02 Nov 2026 and has a recommended completion before 01 Oct 2027
  • Intake CERT4L-6X Starts 07 Dec 2026 and has a recommended completion before 05 Nov 2027

For the Fresh Water Health Track:

  • Intake CERT4W-6L Starts 08 Jun 2026 and has a recommended completion before 07 May 2027
  • Intake CERT4W-6N Starts 06 Jul 2026 and has a recommended completion before 04 Jun 2027
  • Intake CERT4W-6P Starts 03 Aug 2026 and has a recommended completion before 02 Jul 2027
  • Intake CERT4W-6R Starts 07 Sep 2026 and has a recommended completion before 06 Aug 2027
  • Intake CERT4W-6T Starts 05 Oct 2026 and has a recommended completion before 03 Sep 2027
  • Intake CERT4W-6V Starts 02 Nov 2026 and has a recommended completion before 01 Oct 2027
  • Intake CERT4W-6X Starts 07 Dec 2026 and has a recommended completion before 05 Nov 2027

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