Certificate in Foundation Studies – CertFoundStud

Successful completion of this qualification will give you admission to New Zealand universities and prepare you for undergraduate study.

Type of qualification

Certificate

Level of study

Pre-degree study

Pre-degree study lets you gain skills so you can study another certificate, diploma or degree.

More about study levels

NZQF level 4

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

1 year full-time (120 credits)
Up to 4 years part-time
Part-time available

Where you can study

Auckland campus
Distance and online
Wellington campus
Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand, or studying online outside New Zealand
Note:
  • Creative Arts pathway based internally at the Wellington campus
  • International students with intended pathways other than Creative Arts should seek to enrol in the Foundation Certificate International (FCI).
  • You can take a maximum of two courses (30 credits) in Summer School.

Study a Certificate in Foundation Studies – CertFoundStud

Why do the Certificate in Foundation Studies?

If you have not met the academic requirements for admission to University, you can apply to enrol in the Certificate in Foundation Studies. This qualification will not only enable you to gain university entrance, but will also prepare you for undergraduate study.

On successful completion of the Certificate, you will be eligible for admission to unrestricted undergraduate qualifications at Massey University and other New Zealand universities. If you are intending to take an undergraduate degree with additional subject or portfolio requirements, you should contact us for advice, through the Get advice button on this page.

A CertFoundStud is a good fit if you:

  • would like to study at university, but do not have university entrance

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Certificate in Foundation Studies you will:

  • have completed NCEA Level 2, or equivalent, and
  • have a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.0 in each band (or equivalent), if English is not your first language.

International students

Eligible students with an intended pathway to College of Creative Arts qualifications are permitted to enrol in the Creative Arts pathway within the Certificate in Foundation Studies qualification.

International students with intended pathways to other undergraduate qualifications will need to gain admission via this qualification:

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and qualifications that may help.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Structure of the Certificate in Foundation Studies

The Certificate is made up of eight 15-credit courses, including four compulsory courses that focus on academic language, study and research skills. You choose four elective courses from your intended pathway (the academic area you want to study at undergraduate level).

You can complete the Certificate in one year (2 semesters) of full-time study or do it part-time.

Pathway courses

Business pathway
  • 115013 Foundation Management
  • 115014 Foundation Economics
  • 115015 Foundation Financial Literacy
  • 192011 Foundation Communications
  • 247005 Foundation Mathematics A
Humanities / Social Sciences pathway
  • 115014 Foundation Economics
  • 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
  • 192011 Foundation Communications
  • 230001 Foundation Humanities
  • 230002 Foundation Social Sciences
Science pathway
  • 247004 Foundation Biological Sciences
  • 247005 Foundation Mathematics A
  • 247006 Foundation Mathematics B
  • 247007 Foundation Chemistry
  • 247008 Foundation Physics
Health pathway
  • 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
  • 192011 Foundation Communications
  • 214003 Foundation Human Bioscience
  • 230002 Foundation Social Sciences
  • 247005 Foundation Mathematics A
Creative Arts pathway
  • 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
  • 192011 Foundation Communications
  • 293001 Foundation Drawing
  • 293002 Foundation Sound and Image
  • 293003 Foundation Fabricate

Typical pattern for the Certificate in Foundation Studies

Core courses These courses are a compulsory part of your qualification.

Subject courses Choose from an academic pathway.

First semester
192040 Academic Language and Writing 1
192042 Study Skills & Strategies
Academic pathway subject course
Academic pathway subject course
Second semester
192041 Academic Language and Writing 2
192043 Critical Academic Skills
Academic pathway subject course
Academic pathway subject course

You can choose from one of these academic pathways:

Pathways and courses are subject to availability at each campus. Massey staff will assist you with course advice. 

If you are starting this programme in July, you will complete the programme in June of the following year because enrolments are limited to a maximum of two courses (30 credits) in Summer School.

*The Science pathway is not possible via distance mode because the Foundation Chemistry and Foundation Physics courses are offered on campus (internal) only.

See the Courses and specialisations section for more information.

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

120 credits

  • Compulsory courses – 60 credits
  • Pathway courses – 60 credits

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Schedule A: Core courses

Course code: 192040 Academic Language and Writing 1 15 credits

An introduction to expository genres and high frequency vocabulary and grammatical structures for academic writing.

View full course details
Course code: 192041 Academic Language and Writing 2 15 credits

An extension of Academic Language and Writing 1, focusing on further developing academic literacies and research skills for the production of written and oral assignments.

Prerequisites: 192040

View full course details
Course code: 192042 Study Skills and Strategies 15 credits

An introduction to the study skills and strategies necessary to be successful in the undergraduate tertiary environment.

View full course details
Course code: 192043 Critical Academic Skills 15 credits

An introduction to critical thinking, reading, writing and numeracy skills essential for undergraduate studies.

View full course details

Schedule B: Specific courses Pathways

Business Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 115013 Foundation Management 15 credits

An introduction to the key principles and practices of management and the business environment with a particular focus on business in New Zealand.

Restrictions: 152011

View full course details
Course code: 115014 Foundation Economics 15 credits

An introduction to fundamental concepts in Economics.

Restrictions: 178011

View full course details
Course code: 115015 Foundation Financial Literacy 15 credits

An introduction to key financial literacy concepts and the application of those concepts to a wide variety of situations including the workplace and business environments.

View full course details
Course code: 192011 Foundation Communications 15 credits

An introduction to the skills necessary for successful communication both individually and in groups, and across a variety of contexts.

View full course details
Course code: 247005 Foundation Mathematics A 15 credits

An introductory course designed to increase understanding and application of basic mathematics and statistics concepts and skills.

View full course details

Humanities/Social Sciences Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 115014 Foundation Economics 15 credits

An introduction to fundamental concepts in Economics.

Restrictions: 178011

View full course details
Course code: 150001 Foundation Māori Culture 15 credits

An introduction to the study of Māori culture, including the principles and implications of biculturalism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

View full course details
Course code: 192011 Foundation Communications 15 credits

An introduction to the skills necessary for successful communication both individually and in groups, and across a variety of contexts.

View full course details
Course code: 230001 Foundation Humanities 15 credits

An introduction to a number of humanities disciplines and subject areas through study of the underlying philosophies and values of the humanities.

View full course details
Course code: 230002 Foundation Social Sciences 15 credits

An introduction to the concepts, methods and scope of the Social Sciences through study of contemporary social issues in Aotearoa/ New Zealand and in global contexts.

View full course details

Science Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 247004 Foundation Biological Sciences 15 credits

An introduction to cells as the unit of life, evolution as biology's unifying theme, DNA and molecular genetics; the diversity of life, and organisms and their environment.

Restrictions: 119012

View full course details
Course code: 247005 Foundation Mathematics A 15 credits

An introductory course designed to increase understanding and application of basic mathematics and statistics concepts and skills.

View full course details
Course code: 247006 Foundation Mathematics B 15 credits

An introductory course designed to increase understanding and application of fundamental concepts and skills in mathematics, statistics and geometry. Students are prepared for 100-level courses that require algebraic fluency.

View full course details
Course code: 247007 Foundation Chemistry 15 credits

An introduction to the structure of atoms and matter, chemical bonding, simple chemical reactions, calculations involving the mole, acids and bases, reaction rates and equilibrium. Students will learn to name/draw simple organic compounds and conduct basic lab experiments.

View full course details
Course code: 247008 Foundation Physics 15 credits

An introduction to physics concepts including motion, forces, energy, electricity, fluids and waves. Students learn to make observations, take measurements and apply problem-solving techniques to answer problems and relate theory to observation.

View full course details

Health Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 150001 Foundation Māori Culture 15 credits

An introduction to the study of Māori culture, including the principles and implications of biculturalism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

View full course details
Course code: 192011 Foundation Communications 15 credits

An introduction to the skills necessary for successful communication both individually and in groups, and across a variety of contexts.

View full course details
Course code: 214003 Foundation Human Bioscience 15 credits

An introduction to the core concepts in human biology and basic physiology.

View full course details
Course code: 230002 Foundation Social Sciences 15 credits

An introduction to the concepts, methods and scope of the Social Sciences through study of contemporary social issues in Aotearoa/ New Zealand and in global contexts.

View full course details
Course code: 247005 Foundation Mathematics A 15 credits

An introductory course designed to increase understanding and application of basic mathematics and statistics concepts and skills.

View full course details

Creative Arts Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 150001 Foundation Māori Culture 15 credits

An introduction to the study of Māori culture, including the principles and implications of biculturalism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

View full course details
Course code: 192011 Foundation Communications 15 credits

An introduction to the skills necessary for successful communication both individually and in groups, and across a variety of contexts.

View full course details
Course code: 293001 Foundation Drawing 15 credits

In this course students are introduced to working in a creative arts studio to develop skills in a variety of hand drawing and computer aided methods and materials. The drawing techniques taught will enable students to use drawing as a mode to generate, record and develop creative ideas.

View full course details
Course code: 293002 Foundation Sound and Image 15 credits

In this course students will be introduced to working in a creative studio environment, learning techniques and processes which will enable them to create their own video project. Students will be guided to set their own brief, developing initially from their own soundtrack and storyboard plan.

View full course details
Course code: 293003 Foundation Fabricate 15 credits

In this course students will be guided in the process of creating a character profile. Students will engage with ideation and analysis in developing their creative work. Students will work in a creative studio environment and be introduced to model-making, industrial sewing and 3D printing to develop a costume element, prop or character bust model.

View full course details

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Accreditations and rankings

QS 5 stars rating for Online 2019

Massey has a 5 stars rating for Online in the QS World University Rankings.

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QS 5+ star rating

Massey has a 5+ star rating in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world university rankings.

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