Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting
This full-time professional qualification is designed for accounting graduates who want to complete the CA Program while still at university and hit the ground running when they enter the workforce.
120 points, 10 months (January to October)
Study full-time only. Open to both domestic and international students.
Hamilton
The first intake is January 2025.
January each year
Why study the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting?
Our new Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (CA Program) allows accounting graduates to complete all eight modules in the CA Program for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) before entering the workforce.
This full-time, 10-month programme develops the advanced knowledge required to become a Chartered Accountant. This course starts in January each year and finishes in October.
Normally it would take nearly three years to complete the CA Program through online study and exams, while also working full-time as a junior accountant. Instead, you can get it all done at university in less than a year!
Another major benefit of this qualification is that graduates may be eligible for a 1-year credit towards the three years of Mentored Practical Experience (MPE) required to achieve full CA membership. ** See details below.
The PGDipPA (CA Program) is delivered by the University of Waikato in partnership with CA ANZ. It's ideal for anyone who has already graduated from our Bachelor of Business in Professional Accounting , or our Master of Professional Accounting, or an equivalent qualification accredited by CA ANZ. Please see 'Entry requirements' below for more details.
Study with your peers in a supportive learning environment at the University of Waikato's campus in Hamilton, under the guidance of our experienced accounting lecturers.
In addition to completing all eight modules in the CA Program, you will gain research and report writing skills in two specialist accounting topics. Choose from the following options:
- International Accounting (ACCTN506)
- Forensic Accounting (Fraud and Analytics) (ACCTN541)
- Advanced Financial Reporting (ACCTN502)
- Advanced Management Accounting (ACCTN531)
The CA Program Exams will be held at the end of each module and externally assessed by CAANZ for quality assurance purposes.
Graduates of this programme will be in great demand with employers in both the government and corporate sectors.
1-year credit towards Mentored Practical Experience
Students who already have a bachelor's or masters degree accredited by Chartered Accountants (CA ANZ) and then complete this research-based postgraduate diploma may be eligible for a one-year credit towards the three years of Mentored Practical Experience (MPE) required for CA membership.
To apply for this MPE credit, graduates should submit copies of their research abstracts alongside their final academic transcript when they apply for provisional CA membership with CA ANZ.
Part-time study options
If you are a NZ citizen or permanent resident and would prefer to study part-time for the CA Program, please take a look at our Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (CA Program) instead.
120 points, 10 months (January to October)
Study full-time only. Open to both domestic and international students.
Hamilton
The first intake is January 2025.
January each year
Degree information
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Plan your study -
Entry Requirements Who is this course suitable for? Entry requirements
To be accepted for this course, you need to have already completed one of the following qualifications:
- Waikato’s Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting pathway) with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300 Level papers; PLUS you must also have completed the Ethics and Business* CA module from CAANZ.
- Waikato’s Master of Professional Accounting (180 points) – which includes business ethics
- An equivalent bachelor's or master's degree accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and subject to approval by the University of Waikato’s Academic Board.
If you do not meet these entry requirements, please talk to one of our study advisors in the Management Student Centre to find out what additional papers you may need to complete first. Email msc@waikato.ac.nz
* This two-week ethics module is offered four times a year in January, March, June, and September. Enrolments close two weeks before the start date. You can study the module online through CAANZ, once you have applied to gain provisional membership of CAANZ.
Who is this course suitable for? Entry requirements
To be accepted for this course, you need to have already completed one of the following qualifications:
- Waikato’s Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting pathway) with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300 Level papers; PLUS you must also have completed the Ethics and Business* CA module from CAANZ.
- Waikato’s Master of Professional Accounting (180 points) – which includes business ethics
- An equivalent bachelor's or master's degree accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and subject to approval by the University of Waikato’s Academic Board.
If you do not meet these entry requirements, please talk to one of our study advisors in the Management Student Centre to find out what additional papers you may need to complete first. Email msc@waikato.ac.nz
* This two-week ethics module is offered four times a year in January, March, June, and September. Enrolments close two weeks before the start date. You can study the module online through CAANZ, once you have applied to gain provisional membership of CAANZ.
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Fees and scholarships -
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
-
Who is this course suitable for? Entry requirements
To be accepted for this course, you need to have already completed one of the following qualifications:
- Waikato’s Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting pathway) with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300 Level papers; PLUS you must also have completed the Ethics and Business* CA module from CAANZ.
- Waikato’s Master of Professional Accounting (180 points) – which includes business ethics
- An equivalent bachelor's or master's degree accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and subject to approval by the University of Waikato’s Academic Board.
If you do not meet these entry requirements, please talk to one of our study advisors in the Management Student Centre to find out what additional papers you may need to complete first. Email msc@waikato.ac.nz
* This two-week ethics module is offered four times a year in January, March, June, and September. Enrolments close two weeks before the start date. You can study the module online through CAANZ, once you have applied to gain provisional membership of CAANZ.
Who is this course suitable for? Entry requirements
To be accepted for this course, you need to have already completed one of the following qualifications:
- Waikato’s Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting pathway) with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300 Level papers; PLUS you must also have completed the Ethics and Business* CA module from CAANZ.
- Waikato’s Master of Professional Accounting (180 points) – which includes business ethics
- An equivalent bachelor's or master's degree accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and subject to approval by the University of Waikato’s Academic Board.
If you do not meet these entry requirements, please talk to one of our study advisors in the Management Student Centre to find out what additional papers you may need to complete first. Email msc@waikato.ac.nz
* This two-week ethics module is offered four times a year in January, March, June, and September. Enrolments close two weeks before the start date. You can study the module online through CAANZ, once you have applied to gain provisional membership of CAANZ.
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Why study at Waikato
Internationally recognised
This qualification is endorsed by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, making it your passport to work overseas, and opening the door to a huge range of benefits.
Top 1% globally
Waikato Management School sits in the top 1% of business schools globally thanks to our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB), which we've held since 2005.
Qualification regulations
Please refer above to the online degree planner for the PGDipPA.
You can read the full Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting in the University of Waikato Calendar.