Certificate of University Preparation – CertUniPrep

The Certificate of University Preparation will help you reach the standards you need to start studying towards a university qualification.

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

6 months full-time (60 credits)
Up to 2 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 Foundation Certificate International – Accelerated (FCIA).
  • You can take a maximum of two courses (30 credits) in Summer School.
  • Not all pathways are available at all locations or in all modes.

Study a Certificate of University Preparation – CertUniPrep

Why do the Certificate of University Preparation?

If you narrowly missed gaining the academic requirements for admission to University, or are over 20 and have been out of study for some time, you can apply to enrol in the Certificate of University Preparation. Successful completion of this one-semester qualification will give you admission to University and prepare you for undergraduate study.

If you have qualifications other than those listed in Massey University’s entrance requirements, you are welcome to apply for entry and your eligibility will be assessed.

On successful completion of the Certificate, you will be eligible for admission to unrestricted undergraduate qualifications at Massey University and other New Zealand universities.

Contact the University for advice if you plan to take an undergraduate degree with additional subject or portfolio requirements.

A CertUniPrep is a good fit if you:

  • have narrowly missed gaining university admission to undergraduate qualifications
  • are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident aged over 20 and keen to develop academic study skills

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

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

Specific requirements

To enter the Certificate of University Preparation you will:

New Zealand or domestic students

You will meet the university admission requirements as specified, or shall have:

  • completed Year 13 at a New Zealand secondary school, or equivalent, and
  • have achieved at least 14 credits in at least one approved subject at NCEA Level 3 or above, or equivalent, and
  • have achieved at least 10 credits in at least two other approved subjects at NCEA Level 3 or above, or equivalent, and
  • have met the literacy and numeracy standards required for University Entrance, or equivalent.

International students

Eligible students with an intended pathway to College of Creative Arts programmes are permitted to enrol in the Creative Arts pathway within the Certificate of University Preparation qualification.

International students with intended pathways to other undergraduate programmes will need to gain admission via this programme:

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, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

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 of University Preparation

The Certificate of University Preparation comprises four 15-credit courses, two of which are compulsory and focus on academic study and research skills. You choose two courses from your area of academic interest.

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 of University Preparation

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

Subject courses Choose from an academic pathway.

One semester
192042 Study Skills & Strategies
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 through the Get advice button on this page.

*The Science pathway elective choices via distance mode are limited because the Foundation Chemistry and Foundation Physics courses are offered on campus (internal) only.

If you are starting the qualification in Summer School it will take more than one semester to complete the qualification because enrolments are limited to a maximum of two courses (30 credits).

On successful completion of this Certificate, you will gain admission to the University and be eligible to enrol in an undergraduate study.

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

60 credits

  • Core compulsory courses – 30 credits
  • Pathway courses – 30 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: 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 for Pathways

Business Pathway (Choose 30 credits from)

Choose 30 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 30 credits from)

Choose 30 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 30 credits from)

Choose 30 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 30 credits from)

Choose 30 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 30 credits from)

Choose 30 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 logo

QS 5+ star rating

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

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