Learn the Core Concepts behind Paid Search Advertising

ONLINE MICRO-CREDENTIAL COURSE

Paid Search Advertising Course

Learn the strategies behind building high-performing paid search campaigns.

This comprehensive course equips you with a solid foundation in paid search advertising, covering everything from account setup to optimisation techniques.

You’ll develop essential skills, including strategic goal setting and defining KPIs, creating different types of ads (video, image or text formats), strategic keyword selection, managing bidding strategies and budgets.

This programme is designed for anyone looking to drive meaningful traffic and boost conversions with business strategy in mind. As you progress, you’ll apply your learning directly to real-world scenarios.  Enrol today to take control of your advertising strategy.

Start Date

28 April 2025

Delivery Mode

Online

NZQA-Approved

Approved

Course Length

7 weeks

Course Content

Paid Search Training

By the end of this course, you’ll have the strategic and technical know-how to manage Google Ads! From creating a new ad creative, to changing bidding strategy or adjusting advertising budget based on a business decision to drive real results.  Plus, you’ll walk away with an NZQA-accredited Certificate in Paid Search Advertising.  

  • Analyse & Strategise: Evaluate a company’s existing paid ad strategy or develop tailored recommendations for businesses not yet using paid ads.
  • Set Goals & Plan Campaigns: Establish clear advertising objectives aligned with business goals and define key performance indicators (KPIs) for success.
  • Create & Design Ads: Develop two mock-up ad creatives—these could include video, image, or text formats—to enhance campaign effectiveness.
  • Optimise & Implement Bidding Strategies: Learn how to set up bidding strategies, adjust budgets, and apply optimisation techniques to maximise campaign performance.

Who is this Paid Search Advertising Course for?

  • Digital Marketers looking to learn paid advertising skills and add to their skillset. This course provides essential techniques to start your paid advertising journey.
  • Small Business Owners wanting to promote their business online by creating effective ad campaigns, strategically managing budgets and driving meaningful traffic
  • Freelancers wanting to learn the foundational skills of paid advertising and offer it as a service to clients.
  • Business owners or marketing professionals overseeing an agency’s Google Ads work, who want a better understanding of the process in order to align it with their overall business strategy

Delivery Options

You can choose from two delivery options to fit your requirements:

Online

$980

100% online in our virtual campus.  You’ll have 4 hours of classes per week (live and simulated classes) plus 6 hours of self-directed learning which includes time to work on your strategy.  This option is available for individual enrolments. 

We’re now accepting ZIP! Pay in 4 interest free payments over 6 weeks.

Group Training:

Price on Request

We offer group training (face to face and online/blended) to organisations

If you’re looking at training your team in this micro-credential then please contact our Course Advisors to find out more.

Nicola Yates

Nicola Yates brings over 20 years of global digital marketing experience to her role as a Digital Paid Ads Tutor. Having worked across the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, and New Zealand, Nicola has helped some of the world’s leading brands leverage digital strategies to drive business growth. Nicola’s expertise covers all aspects of paid media strategy, programmatic advertising, search and social marketing, and analytics. She has worked across agency and client-side and is passionate about helping businesses and the next generation of digital marketers navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape to develop strategic, results-driven paid media campaigns. Beyond her technical expertise, Nicola is passionate about mentorship and education, with a track record of leading teams, coaching emerging talent, and driving digital maturity within organisations. As a tutor, she brings a hands-on, practical approach to learning, helping students navigate the complexities of the digital advertising landscape with confidence.

ONLINE MICRO-CREDENTIAL COURSE

Frequently Asked Questions

Which advertising platforms will I gain expertise in?

You will be working primarily with Google Ads (including partner sites & Ad extensions) & Keyword Planner, Bing, YouTube Ads and similar.

Will I have hands-on experience running live ad campaigns?

Yes. You will get hands-on practice with platforms like Google Ads (and similar) to learn how to create targeted ad campaigns, ad creatives, select keywords, manage bidding strategies, and track performance.

How is the course structured and assessed?

There are no exams. Your assessment will be a paid search proposal that you will develop over the 7 week course tailored to your marketing objectives. At the conclusion of the programme, you will have developed a paid search advertising proposal tailored to your marketing objectives.

What do I need to be able to take this Paid Search Advertising Course?
  • Laptop or desk computer (PC or Apple)
  • Good internet connection
  • Word processing and presentation programmes
  • Access to a business (real or virtual) to which you can apply learnings, strategies and interventions.
  • Google Account
Who meets the entry criteria for this Paid Search Advertising course?

To study this Paid Search Advertising course, you will need to meet the following requirements:

  1. Have the right to study in New Zealand. You may hold the following: Citizenship residency/permanent residency student visa, visitor visa* must have studying conditions You can find more information on study visas and if you are eligible here: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/how-to-apply/plan-your-study-experience/visas
  2. Meet the English Language requirements:

3 years of secondary education in English from one of the following countries: New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States; OR Completed NZQA level 3 study, or equivalent, in any subject in English from one of the following countries: New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States; OR IELTS score of 5.5 with no band below 5 OR an equivalent test. You can also chat with our friendly Recruitment Advisor to learn more about your eligibility. Reside in New Zealand. This excludes those living in The Cook Islands, Tokelau and the Ross Ice Shelf or any other overseas country whilst studying.

How will this Paid Search Advertising course work for me?

This Paid Search Advertising short course is suitable for those ready to invest in their future and who are open-minded to an industry-driven course curriculum. You must be prepared to work hard and maximise your course experience with us here at NZIE. In saying that, you will be supported and inspired by your tutor throughout the course. You will have regular check-ins regarding your progress and will be guided every step of the way. If you are still unsure, please call one of our course advisors: 0800 69 33 82.

What are the fees for this Paid Search Advertising course?

The fee is $980 (including GST).

Is this training programme NZQA accredited?

Yes, this programme leads to the award of the Certificate in Paid Search Advertising (Micro-Credential). Learners who successfully complete the requirements of this programme will be awarded the Certificate in Paid Search Advertising and will be recorded on the Learner’s NZQA Record of Learning. To be awarded the Certificate in Paid Search Advertising, you must complete all assessment requirements.

Why study with NZIE?

We’re proud to be New Zealand’s longest-running and largest Digital Marketing School. Our 100% online training courses are co-created with the Digital Marketing industry and taught by experts, so you’ll get the latest knowledge and trends.    We’re a boutique school, so you’ll get the personal care and support to achieve your training goals. Plus, we’re 100% New Zealand-owned and operated and accredited with NZQA at Category 1 to give you confidence in our high standard of training.

Ready to Launch High-Impact Ad Campaigns?

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Entry Criteria:

To be admitted into NZ Certificate in English Language Level 4 General, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

a) Be a speaker of English as an additional language; and

b) Hold a NZCEL Applied Level 3 [3667] qualification; or

c) Pass an NZIE entry test that meets the requirements for the CEFR B2 requirements or equivalent; and

d) Be of a minimum age of 16 years or older; and.

e) Be a New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency OR Certificate of Refugee Status and evidence of eligibility to study for the duration of enrolment.

Entry Criteria:

To be admitted into NZ Certificate in English Language Level 3 General, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

a) Be a speaker of English as an additional language; and

b) Hold a NZCEL Level 2 qualification; or

c) Pass an NZIE entry test that meets the requirements for the CEFR mid B1 requirements or equivalent; and

d) Be of a minimum age of 16 years or older; and.

e) Be a New Zealand citizen or resident; or have Certificate of Refugee Status and evidence of eligibility to study for the duration of enrolment.

Fees 2020

Student loans available through Study Link. Check if you are eligible here. 

Fees-Free Study.  

You are only eligible for Fees-Free if you haven’t previously undertaken more than 60 credits (half a year of equivalent full-time tertiary education, 0.5 EFTS) at Level 3 or above on the NZQF – New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

To check if you meet the requirements, visit the New Zealand Government’s Fees-Free website and enter your National Student Number (NSN)

If you do not have an NSN, contact your Student Support Advisor.

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