Hamilton City Campus Information Session 2026
Explore study options for 2026 at the Wintec Hamilton City campus.
Certificate in Exercise (Level 4)
New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 4)
NZ3563
Course details
-
Feb 2026
- One semester
- Full-time or Part-time
- $4,124*
- You may qualify for fee-free study under Fees Free Policy or MPTT*
- Level 4
- Available for International Students. International Fee Guideline
- Hamilton Rotokauri Campus
Summary
Become a qualified Personal Trainer
This programme will give students the skills and knowledge needed to be able to deliver exercise instruction to others. Students will learn the important theory of personal training and build a base of practical experience.Practical work is a significant component of the study, enabling students to graduate ready to hit the ground running. As part of their study, students will undertake a 20-hour work placement in a gym. This placement helps the student to build a professional network, gives them relevant work experience, and sets them up to be effective members of the workplace in the future.
Students will learn how to:
- Deliver safe and effective exercise programmes, including pre-screening, within their own scope of practice and industry code of ethics.
- Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to adapt and deliver safe and effective exercise programmes.
- Adapt programmes for apparently healthy people and common at-risk groups using exercise science and testing.
- Apply motivational and communication techniques to enhance individual participant commitment to a personalised exercise programme.
- Apply a health and wellness framework and evidence-based nutrition principles to support a personalised exercise programme and recommend referral pathways to allied health professions.
- Use marketing and business tools and techniques to support business practices as an exercise professional.
Graduates of the programme will be eligible to register with the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals.
Developed alongside industry
The Certificate in Exercise (Level 4) and Certificate in Exercise (Level 5) have been designed with the help of employers, ensuring our qualifications will meet the needs of the fitness industry.
"Well done to Wintec on working with the industry, to formulate the new level 4 and 5 qualifications. I believe the curriculum and subsequent range of activities students will engage in as part of the course, have been set specifically to achieve an even higher level of education, motivation and adherence for all students. This will be very valuable to help them be successful in the industry."
- Mel Engelbrecht, Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, Snr Assessor Mentor (MotionMel)
"My reason for wanting to employ Wintec students is because I was a Wintec student myself and if it wasn't for Wintec, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
I know how thorough and hands-on the staff are, and students come out of the course
fully confident and business ready."
- Tony Brunton, First Place Fitness Club Owner/Manager
Learn from the experts
The people teaching this programme are both experienced and qualified. They have worked with athletes over a number of years at both a national and international level.
Lynne O'Malley
- Trainer for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic between 2003 and 2013
- Previously worked with more than 50 international athletes over the last 20 years
Qualifications: Master of Sports and Ex Sc, BSc (Physiol), BPhEd
Kerin McDonald
- Previous instructor and duty manager at Outward Bound New Zealand, working with a wide variety of groups, and supporting the development of U23 rowers
- Kiwisport Secondary School Event Coordinator and Waipa District Coordinator
Qualifications: Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science
We support you while you study
Wintec provides support from day one.
Students will have access to free study preparation courses, academic resources, a specialist student learning services team, library filled with resources and staffed by expert librarians, a dedicated team for Māori and Pacific support, disability support services, and affordable health care on campus.
Career/further opportunities
Graduates can be employed or self-employed in roles such as:
- Exercise Consultant
- Community Exercise Instructor
- Team Training Instructor
- Personal Trainer
This programme provides a pathway to, and is a prerequisite for, the New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 5).
Events
Disclaimers
Entry criteria
Admission and Entry
1.1 Candidates can gain entry to this programme by meeting one of the following criteria:
a. 40 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above (incl. 10 Literacy and 10 Numeracy credits);
or
b. New Zealand Certificate in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Multi-sector) (Level 3) [Ref: 3625];
or
c. a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2;
or
d. a recognised equivalent;
or
e. Based on Discretionary Entrance
Applicants who do not meet any of the entry options stated above, and think they have what it takes to complete this programme, can apply for ‘Discretionary Entrance’. The application is based on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate a likelihood to succeed in the programme. The decision is at the discretion of the Head of School/Centre Director or their delegate. The ability to progress into further study depends on how successful the applicant is within the programme they apply and are accepted into under ‘Discretionary Entrance’.
English language requirements
Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 5.5 in the academic band, with no individual band score lower than 5; or equivalent.
Want to see full details of the entry criteria?
Do not meet entry criteria or need more information?
Pathways
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 2026
Whānau evening
Date: Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Time: 5.30pm-6.30pm
Venue: G Block, Rotokauri Campus
Induction
Date: Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Time: 9am
Venue: Q Block foyer, Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance, Rotokauri Campus
Semester 2 2026
Whānau evening
Date: Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Time: 5.30pm-6.30pm
Venue: G Block, Rotokauri Campus
Induction
Date: Tuesday, 14 July 2026
Time: 9am
Venue: Q Block foyer, Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance, Rotokauri Campus
Prospectus (course guide)
The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.
Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus
The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.
Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus
Portfolio
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