Postgraduate Certificate in Human Performance Leadership
Take a focused first step into high-performance leadership with the AUT Online Postgraduate Certificate in Human Performance Leadership.
This flexible qualification provides foundation-level capability in performance science, psychology of performance, leadership and team dynamics. You’ll gain practical tools to apply evidence-based insights in your professional context, helping you build resilience, support wellbeing and contribute to high-performing teams.
The programme is open to professionals from any academic or industry background who want to strengthen their leadership in applied performance settings. It is particularly relevant to those working in sport, defence, emergency services and other high-stakes environments, as well as those aspiring to move into these domains.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Human Performance Leadership also serves as a direct pathway to the Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Human Performance Leadership, with all courses fully credited should you choose to continue your studies.
100% online:
Study from anywhere, anytime, with no need to attend campus
Tailored for busy professionals:
Balance work, life and study with a flexible, part-time structure
Your experience counts:
If you have sufficient work experience but no degree, you can still qualify
Personalised support:
Expert guidance and dedicated support seven days a week
Why choose the AUT Online Postgraduate Certificate in Human Performance Leadership
- Accessible entry point: Gain a recognised postgraduate qualification with no requirement for prior study in psychology, physiology or sport science.
- Practical and applied: Build tools you can use immediately to support performance, wellbeing and leadership in your workplace.
- Flexible progression: Completed courses can be credited toward the postgraduate diploma or full Master of Human Performance Leadership, enabling you to advance when you’re ready.
- Culturally responsive: Strengthen your leadership practice through Māori and Indigenous frameworks and ethical approaches.
This programme is currently only available for domestic students.
If you already have a university degree
- A bachelor’s degree, graduate diploma or professional qualification
If you don’t yet have a university degree
- 5 years of work experience
Your experience counts
At AUT Online, we value your professional expertise. If you have relevant work experience but no undergraduate degree, you can still take the next step toward achieving your goals with our Postgraduate Certificate in Human Performance Leadership programme.
Not sure if you meet the entry criteria?
Enquire now to discuss your eligibility.
The AUT Online Postgraduate Certificate in Human Performance Leadership gives you a flexible introduction to performance science, leadership psychology, team dynamics and culturally responsive practice so you can apply human performance principles in real-world, high-stakes environments.
You'll learn to:
- Build foundational knowledge of performance physiology and apply strategies for preparation, recovery and sustainable high performance
- Analyse psychological and relational factors that shape leadership under pressure and design psychologically informed interventions
- Strengthen team culture, communication and psychological safety to support high-trust, high-performing environments
- Use performance technologies and data by balancing analytics with human judgement to inform timely, context-aware decisions
You’ll complete two of the following 30-point courses, taken one at a time over trimesters, enabling you to focus on each subject in depth. Course availability may vary depending on the trimester schedule.
Courses
- ONSPMG801 Human Performance Optimisation
- ONSPMG802 Psychology of Performance and Leadership
- ONSPMG803 High Performing Teams: Dynamics, Culture, and Connection
- ONSPMG804 Innovative Leadership in Dynamic Environments
Skills you will develop
The outcomes for graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate in Human Performance Leadership are outlined in the Graduate Profile below.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Human Performance Leadership equips you with foundation-level knowledge and tools to support performance and leadership in high-stakes contexts. It’s ideal if you want to enhance your current role, explore opportunities in human performance leadership or prepare for further study.
Potential career paths
- Team leader or coordinator in applied performance settings
- Performance support or readiness coordinator
- Coach development or athlete development advisor
- Wellbeing, resilience or training coordinator
- Training operations or programme coordinator
- Leadership support roles across sport, defence and emergency services
- Professionals in adjacent fields (including health, education or tactical training) who want to integrate human performance insights into their current roles
This qualification also provides a seamless pathway into the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Human Performance Leadership for those ready to advance their leadership capability further.
Not sure which qualification suits your goals? AUT Online offers flexible options to fit your needs:
Courses completed in the postgraduate certificate can be fully credited toward the postgraduate diploma or master’s degree, enabling you to build on your achievements seamlessly and progress your leadership journey when you’re ready.
- Full fees: $5,300 (for 60 points)
- Student services levy (additional, for 60 points): $610.80
Fees are calculated for the full indicative programme cost (60 points), based on 2026 fees, which are reviewed annually.
Enquire about the AUT Online Postgraduate Certificate in Human Performance Leadership here today.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT programme regulations, please refer to the AUT Calendar.