Course completion rates soar in latest report

Massey’s course completion rates have increased in the latest Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) report, demonstrating the university’s commitment to supporting equity and access alongside excellence.

Not only did the university have the highest increase since 2021 overall, but for on-campus learners, Massey now has the highest course completion rates of all New Zealand universities, with a rate of 89.2 per cent for Government-funded learners. The university’s on-campus Māori learners and on-campus Pacific learners also have the highest rates in the university sector, at 84.9 per cent and 78.9 per cent respectively. When all learners are considered, regardless of their funding source, the course completion rates are even higher, at 89.8 per cent for all on-campus learners and 79.3 per cent for Pacific on-campus learners.

Course completion rates have also increased for distance students. Between 2021 and 2022, overall course completion rates for distance and on-campus Government-funded Māori learners increased by 2.4 percentage points and for Pacific learners by 4.3 percentage points – the largest improvement of all New Zealand universities.

Provost Professor Giselle Byrnes says these results are testament to the work that has gone into overhauling student support.

Massey also improved its performance in qualification completions. While the sector average increased by 0.7 percentage points for all learners, Massey increased its rate by 3.1 percentage points. Qualification completions for Māori learners increased by 3.0 percentage points and Pacific learners by 3.9 percentage points.

Professor Byrnes says these improvements are significant when seen in the context of the university’s learner profile.

“Massey has a distinctive student cohort and a much more diverse student body when compared with other New Zealand universities, with many more mature age students, part time learners and distance students compared to any other university in New Zealand.

“Research intensive universities around the world with similar student cohorts to Massey’s tend to have lower student success outcomes than those universities who largely serve school-leavers. This is because, often, ‘life gets in the way’.”

Staff appointments aimed at championing Māori and Pacific student success have also been key. Dame Farah Palmer, Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato, was appointed to the role of Pou Ākonga – Executive Director Māori Student Success in June 2022, while Dean Pacific Professor Palatasa Havea and the Pacific Office have been instrumental in turning the tide for Pacific learners.

Dame Farah says she’s extremely pleased with the results for Ākonga Māori and commended the collective efforts of Ākonga Māori support staff in Te Rau Tauawhi (Māori Student Support Centre) and in the Colleges.

Technical note: results are from the TEC’s Ngā Kete data portal which provides results for each tertiary education institute. All values in this article, including 2021 and 2022 results and differences, are based on results as at 7 July 2023.