Preparation for University Study

About the Programme

Foundation Education’s Preparation for University Study is a comprehensive bridging programme which enables under-qualified students to enter tertiary programmes and/or the workforce.  Foundation Education aims to assist students by providing the following:

• A thorough academic grounding in subject content
• An emphasis on the development of the academic study skills and personal management skills which lead to successful study at tertiary level and/or employment
• A supportive environment which promotes independence and confidence in students.

Offered by

Faculty of Education and Social Sciences - School of Foundation Studies

Entry Requirements

• Open entry. Applicants will be accepted on the programme if there are spaces available and courses that are suitable to meet the applicant’s learning needs
• All applicants will be interviewed and initial assessments in communication, mathematics and computing will be conducted.

The purpose of the assessments is to ensure that courses are available to suit the developmental needs of the applicants.The following criteria will be considered:

• Availability of suitable courses
• English language competency
• Motivation (usually demonstrated by applicants indicating they have a specific career goal and are prepared to undertake the study commitments that are required to achieve it)
• Progress made on previous enrolment/s on the Foundation Education programme.

Eligible applicants are offered places on the programme as they become available. Where the programme is over subscribed, accepted students are wait-listed in order of receipt of their application.

Cost

$2,600 (approx)

International Student Fees

$6,350 - $7,620 per semester

Programme Summary

All courses are NZQA accredited at Levels 2, 3 and 4 (equal to Years 11-13 of secondary school).

Core Subjects

The core subjects (unless previously studied) for students on Foundation Education programmes are:

• Communication
• Mathematics
• Future Focus
• Skills for Tertiary Study
• Computing Skills
• Te Tiriti

In addition, students choose courses from the following areas:

• Business
• Humanities
• Science

Availability of options may change each semester.

Further Training or Study

Successful students may apply to enter full-time programmes at other institutes, colleges of education and some university programmes. Students who complete the higher levels of the programme may carry on to career training in fields such as engineering, computing, management, teaching, social work, laboratory technology, nursing, accounting, policing, surveying, armed forces, science, draughting, architectural drawing, hospitality and tourism, data processing, personnel and marketing.

Students under the age of 20 years will have to apply for discretionary entry to university. In most circumstances it is very difficult to gain entry if students do not have university entrance from school, (NCEA Level 3). The University of Auckland has their own subsidized 12 month-long foundation programme.

Career Opportunities

With a university degree, you can go anywhere! Choose a pathway in health, computing and information technology, engineering, business, management, accounting, travel and tourism, education, sport and recreation or the arts.

Apply here now!