Paetahi Tumu Kōrero Bachelor of Counselling
HS1602
Course details
-
Feb 2025
- Three years
- Full-time or Part-time
- $8,508* per year
- You may qualify for fee-free study under Fees Free Policy
- Level 7
- Available for International Students. International Fee Guideline
(Note: people studying part-time should refer to Paetahi Tumu Kōrero Bachelor of Counselling Regulations for more information).
Summary
Paetahi Tumu Kōrero Bachelor of Counselling is a three-year degree designed to meet the professional membership requirements of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), Te Whāriki Tautoko, NZ Christian Counsellors Association, and the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association Aotearoa New Zealand (Dapaanz).
Students in this programme will develop the professional skills required to work within the complex and interprofessional social service and health communities. Additional to what many other counselling programmes offer, it includes a mental health and addictions focus. Placement is a significant element of this programme.
Within this degree programme, students will develop the skills to:
- Demonstrate empathy and respect for others
- Understand the social, political, and cultural context of counselling
- Understand different cultural values
- Articulate the theoretical base of counselling
- Integrate knowledge, skills and practice
- Understand their own values and beliefs in relation to counselling
- Understand the professional Codes of Ethics
Graduates are prepared to enter the counselling workforce at a beginner-practitioner level in the context of a bicultural Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Dapaanz approves Paetahi Tumu Kōrero Bachelor of Counselling as meeting the requirements for an applicant to register as a competent Addictions Practitioner, where at least one placement has taken place in an addiction setting, and the students have successfully completed the addictions papers as part of the qualification (modules HSCO603, HSCO705, HSCO706). If you would like to find out more information about Dapaanz, click on the image below.
Students will typically be on campus one to two days per week, for six hours per day. In addition, they will be required to participate in online Zoom sessions for four to five hours per week and undertake directed learning, such as working with other students on assignments, for approximately 20 hours per week. They will also be required to undertake self-directed learning/study. In their second and third years, students will spend one or two days per week on placement.
View programme modules
Module code | Module name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | |||||
HSCO501 | Te Timatanga / Introduction to Counselling | 5 | 30 | ||
HSCO502 | Te Pikinga / Introduction to Professional Counselling Practice | 5 | 15 | ||
HSIP501 | Te Pū | 5 | 15 | ||
HSIP503 | Te Ahurea / Cultural Identity | 5 | 15 | ||
HSIP504 | Te Hapori / Sociology | 5 | 15 | ||
HSIP502 | Te Whanaketanga / Human Development | 5 | 15 | ||
HSIP505 | Te Hinengaro / Psychology | 5 | 15 | ||
Year 2 | |||||
HSCO601 | Kaupapa Akoako / Counselling Theory and Practice | 6 | 30 | HSIP501 HSIP502 HSIP503 HSIP504 HSIP505 | |
HSCO602 | He Oranga Tinana / Counselling Change and Wellbeing in Practice | 6 | 15 | HSCO601 | |
HSCO603 | He Oranga Tangata / Foundations of Practice in Mental Health and Addictions | 6 | 30 | HSIP503 HSIP504 HSIP505 | |
HSCO604 | Te Whānau / Working with Whānau | 6 | 15 | HSIP503 HSIP504 HSIP505 | |
HSCO605 | Te Ture / Law, Ethics and Policy | 6 | 15 | ||
HSIP601 | Te Weu | 6 | 15 | HSIP501 | |
Year 3 | |||||
HSCO701 | Kaupapa Arotake / Development of Counselling Practice | 7 | 30 | ||
HSCO702 | Ngā Pou Kōrero / Presentation and Review of Counselling Practice | 7 | 30 | HSCO701 | |
HSCO703 | Rangahau Māori / Research and Professional Practice | 7 | 15 | HSCO601,HSCO602,HSCO605 | |
HSIP701 | Te More | 7 | 15 | HSIP601 |
Electives
Please note: not all practice focus electives are available every year.
Module code | Module name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
HSCO705 | Assessing Addictions Issues and Co-existing Problems (CEP) | 7 | 15 | HSCO603 | HSCO701 |
HSCO706 | Counselling Interventions in Addictions and Co-Existing Problems (CEP) | 7 | 15 | HSCO705 | HSCO702 |
HSCO609 | Te Hunga Rangatahi / Working with Children and Young People | 6 | 15 | HSCO501, HSCO604, HSIP502 | |
HSCO707 | Ngā Iwi Taketake / Indigenous Liberation Studies | 7 | 15 | HSIP503, HSIP504, HSIP601 | |
FSIN713 | Kaupapa Tirohanga / Developing Issues focused Practice | 7 | 15 | HSCO601 HSCO602 | |
FSIN714 | Te Whakaruruhau / Care and Protection | 7 | 15 | HSCO601 HSCO602 | |
HSCO607 | Ngā Rongo 1 | 6 | 15 | HSIP501, HSIP503 | |
HSCO608 | Ngā Rongo 2 | 7 | 15 | HSCO607 | |
Any other approved 15 credit module | 5, 6 or 7 | 15 |
Option
Module code | Module name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFNZ701 | Design Factory 1 | 7 | 30 |
The 30 credit module DFNZ701: Design Factory 1 can be offered as an option within any Wintec degree programme, wherever the degree programme structures allows such an option. Admission into the Design Factory module is on negotiation with the Centre Director or delegated authority and selection into the module is in line with the Design Factory process.
Design Factory
In their third year of study, students can apply to study the 30 credit Design Factory NZ module. This experience teaches a range of problem-solving methodologies, which students will apply to a real-world challenge provided by an industry partner. Students
will work in a multi-disciplinary team alongside students from engineering, business, IT, sport and exercise science, media arts, and more.
Joining Design Factory NZ will provide students with the opportunity
to learn and work in new ways, prototype solutions to complex problems, and develop their soft skills of creativity, empathy and communication - all in high-demand for the workplace of the future.
Read more about Design Factory New Zealand here.

Career/further opportunities
Graduates of this programme will be eligible for provisional membership of professional associations.
Registration of Counsellors is currently not mandatory; however, the current benchmark for counselling practice is membership of an appropriate professional association with an appropriate code of ethics such as the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), Te Whāriki Tautoko, or the New Zealand Christian Counsellors Association (NZCCA). In addition, counsellors working in the addictions field in the health workforce require Dapaanz registration.
Graduates will be qualified to work in various social service positions, primarily in not-for-profit social service agencies (NGOs), in Counselling or related roles. Graduates may pathway into several relevant postgraduate programmes at Wintec and/or other tertiary education providers. Postgraduate study will enable counsellors to practice at a more advanced level in specialist roles.
Our graduates have gained employment in the following positions:
- Specialist Support Worker, Community Living Trust, Hamilton
- Support Worker, IDEA Services, Hamilton
- Support and Information Coordinator, Parent to Parent and Altogether Autism, Hamilton
- Regional Branch Manager, Lifeline Aotearoa, Hamilton
- Private Practitioner (self-employed)
- Facilitator, Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project
- Clinician - Counsellor, Safe Network, Hamilton
Application process
- Apply online or download and complete an Application to Enrol Form.
- Complete the online Self-Disclosure Form, if you have applied online this form is included as part of the online application process.
- Ask your referee to complete the online referee questionnaire. Please be aware two references are required for this programme.
- If you’re not sure if you meet the entry criteria, complete the online Additional Information Form, so we are able to assess your likelihood of success.
- If you have them, provide us with certified copies of your prior academic transcripts. Find out more about supporting material for enrolment here.
- We may also need to verify your identity (your legal name and date of birth) as well as your residency status. If you are a domestic student, we may be able to do this through your National Student Number (NSN), if we can not access your NSN
number, you will need to provide evidence of this by supplying verified copies of your birth certificate or passport.
Once you have submitted your application:
- We will email you to confirm we’ve received it and let you know if there’s anything more, we need from you.
- We will assess your application, and if you’re eligible to proceed, we’ll invite you to attend a selection interview.
The selection interview process involves:
- A one on one interview with one of our tutors – this is an opportunity to review your study plans and discuss opportunities within the Centre for Health and Social Practice.
- A written exercise. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your writing and comprehension skills.
The selection interview process will take into account the following:
- Ability to undertake academic work to the standard required;
- Communication skills – verbal and written, in both interpersonal and group contexts;
- Awareness and knowledge of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi;
- Awareness of your own beliefs and values;
- Ability to work independently and part of a group.
We will let you know the outcome of your interview as quickly as possible.
If you’re accepted to study, we will send you an enrolment offer letter – you will need to accept this to confirm your place on the programme. Click here to find out more about enrolment and accepting your offer.
After you have accepted your offer
- During your induction, you will be required to complete a number of safety checks to comply with the provisions of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014.
- More about the safety check process and the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 can be found here.
Events
No events.
Disclaimers
Entry criteria
Candidates are required to have gained:
- NCEA Level 3 comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or higher, including:
- 14 credits each at NCEA Level 3 in three approved subjects; and
- Literacy (10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above made up of 5 credits each in reading and writing); and
- Numeracy (10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above made up of specified achievement standards or a package of three specified unit standards); or
- A relevant qualification at Level 4 on the NZQF; or
- Equivalent.
UE 2020
Applicants who achieved University Entrance through NCEA in 2020 will be assessed under separate NZQA entry requirements that take into account the impacts of COVID-19. Candidates are required to have:
- NCEA Level 3 comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or above and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, including:
- 12 credits each at NCEA Level 3 in three approved subjects; and
- (UE Literacy (10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above made up of 5 credits each in reading and writing); and
- (3) UE Numeracy (10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above).
Special admission
Domestic applicants aged 20 years or above who have not met the General Admission or entry requirements for a programme but whose skills, education or work experience indicate that they have a reasonable chance of success may be eligible for Special Admission. Special admission will be granted at the discretion of the relevant Head of School/Centre Director or designated nominee. Such applicants may be required to successfully complete a foundation, bridging or tertiary introductory programme as a condition of entry into higher level programmes.
Provisional entry
Domestic applicants aged under 20 years who have not met the general academic admission and entry criteria for a programme but who can demonstrate a reasonable chance of success through other educational attainment and/or work or life experience may be eligible for provisional entry at the discretion of the relevant Head of School/Centre Director or designated nominee. Provisional entry places restrictions on re-enrolment to be lifted if the applicant's performance is deemed satisfactory by the relevant Head of School/Centre Director or designated nominee.
Selection criteria
a) In order to comply with the provisions of the Vulnerable Children's Act, 2014 and Child Protection Policies for all 'specified organisations' providing a 'regulated service', all candidates/students will be subjected to safety checks. These will include but are not limited to;
i) A Formal Interview
ii) Referee Checks
iii) A Police Vet Check
iv) A Risk Assessment
Any unsatisfactory result arising from the full safety checking process may result in the candidate/student being precluded/declined entry or withdrawn from the programme of study. Furthermore, students must declare any pending or new convictions arising during any stage throughout the entire enrolment period. A conviction or failure to declare a conviction may also result in the student being immediately withdrawn from the programme. Persons who are convicted of 'specified offences' will not be accepted onto any programme that requires that Person to work in an organisation providing a regulated service.
b) Candidates will be required to provide a record of prior qualifications, employment history, work experience and two written references (form provided).
c) Candidates will be required to attend a selection interview/hui. Selection will be made on the basis of the candidate being able to demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success in the programme.
d) Candidates are required to indicate whether they have been convicted of, or are being prosecuted for, a criminal offence. Some types of criminal conviction may limit the ability to secure practicum placements and therefore complete the programme.
English language requirements
Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.5 across all bands; or equivalent.
We offer qualifications that may help prepare students for enrolment in this programme if they don't meet the entry criteria:
- Enrolled Nursing (Nēhi Whakaru) leading to the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5)
- Te Ara Pūtake My Academic Pathway
- New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4)
Pathways
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To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.
Your first day
Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.
Semester 1 2025
Venue: Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub, City Campus
Date: Monday 3 February to Wednesday 5 February 2025
Time: 9am-4pm
Venue: Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub, City Campus
Returning students
Date: Tuesday 4 February 2025
Time: 1pm–3pm
Venue: Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub, City Campus
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