Type of qualification
Level of study
Pre-degree study lets you gain skills so you can study another certificate, diploma or degree.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- 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 2 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:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
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 4 compulsory courses that focus on academic language, study and research skills. You choose 4 elective courses from your intended pathway (the academic area you want to study at undergraduate level).
You can complete the Certificate in 1 year (2 semesters) of full-time study, or study part-time.
Schedule A courses
We recommend you complete 192012 and 192040 in your first semester.
Schedule B courses
Depending on your pathway, we recommend you choose among 150001, 192011, and 247009 for your first semester.
Core courses
- 192040 Academic Language and Writing 1
- 192043 Critical Academic Skills
- 192012 Foundations of Tertiary Learning
- 192013 Strategies for Undergraduate Success
Pathway courses
Business pathway
- 192011 Foundation Communications
- 115030 Foundation Business Studies
- 247009 Foundation Analytical Thinking and Numeracy
- 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
Humanities / Social Sciences pathway
- 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
- 192011 Foundation Communications
- 230001 Foundation Humanities
- 230002 Foundation Social Sciences
Science pathway
- 247009 Foundation Analytical Thinking and Numeracy
- 247010 Foundation Applied Science
- 247011 Foundation Natural Sciences
- 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
- 230002 Foundation Social Sciences
Health pathway
- 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
- 192011 Foundation Communications
- 214004 Foundation Health Studies
- 230002 Foundation Social Sciences
- 247009 Foundation Analytical Thinking and Numeracy
Creative Arts pathway
- 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
- 192011 Foundation Communications
- 293001 Foundation Drawing
- 293002 Foundation Sound and Image
- 293003 Foundation Fabricate
Pathways and courses are subject to availability at each campus. Massey staff can help you with course advice.
If you are starting in July, you will complete the qualification in June of the following year because enrolments are limited to a maximum of 2 courses (30 credits) in Summer School.
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
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: 192012 Foundations of Tertiary Learning credits 15
An introduction to the development of resilience and confidence as an active learner within tertiary study.
View full course detailsCourse code: 192013 Strategies for Undergraduate Success credits 15
An introduction to goal setting, life planning, and wellbeing in preparation for undergraduate studies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 192040 Academic Language and Writing 1 credits 15
An introduction to the features of effective academic writing and their application for undergraduate studies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 192043 Critical Academic Skills credits 15
An introduction to critical thinking, reading, writing and numeracy skills essential for undergraduate studies.
View full course detailsSchedule B: Specific courses Pathways
Business Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 115030 Foundation Business Studies credits 15
An introduction to fundamental principles and theories in business studies. Additionally, the course aims to equip students with the ability to apply key foundation finance, marketing, management, economic and accounting concepts to practical scenarios, fostering their ability to analyse, interpret, and propose solutions in various contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150001 Foundation Māori Culture credits 15
An introduction to the significance of Māori culture, including the principles and implications of biculturalism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
View full course detailsCourse code: 192011 Foundation Communications credits 15
An introduction to the skills necessary for successful communication both individually and in groups, and across a variety of contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 247009 Foundation Analytical Thinking and Numeracy credits 15
An introduction to essential skills and knowledge in analytical thinking, numeracy, and algebra to effectively interpret, analyse, and solve problems across various academic disciplines and real-world contexts.
View full course detailsHumanities/Social Sciences Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 150001 Foundation Māori Culture credits 15
An introduction to the significance of Māori culture, including the principles and implications of biculturalism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
View full course detailsCourse code: 192011 Foundation Communications credits 15
An introduction to the skills necessary for successful communication both individually and in groups, and across a variety of contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 230001 Foundation Humanities credits 15
An introduction to humanities disciplines and subject areas through study of the underlying philosophies, concepts and perspectives of the humanities.
View full course detailsCourse code: 230002 Foundation Social Sciences credits 15
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 detailsScience Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 150001 Foundation Māori Culture credits 15
An introduction to the significance of Māori culture, including the principles and implications of biculturalism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
View full course detailsCourse code: 192011 Foundation Communications credits 15
An introduction to the skills necessary for successful communication both individually and in groups, and across a variety of contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 230002 Foundation Social Sciences credits 15
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 detailsCourse code: 247009 Foundation Analytical Thinking and Numeracy credits 15
An introduction to essential skills and knowledge in analytical thinking, numeracy, and algebra to effectively interpret, analyse, and solve problems across various academic disciplines and real-world contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 247010 Foundation Applied Sciences credits 15
An introduction to the core principles and methodologies in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, equipping students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and interdisciplinary perspectives to succeed in their future undergraduate studies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 247011 Foundation Natural Sciences credits 15
An introduction to areas within natural sciences by providing a foundational understanding of the interactions between biology, chemistry, and the environment, and fostering the development of essential skills for understanding current issues including climate change, invasive species, sustainable practices and protecting native environments.
View full course detailsHealth Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 150001 Foundation Māori Culture credits 15
An introduction to the significance of Māori culture, including the principles and implications of biculturalism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
View full course detailsCourse code: 192011 Foundation Communications credits 15
An introduction to the skills necessary for successful communication both individually and in groups, and across a variety of contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 214004 Foundation Health Studies credits 15
A multidisciplinary introduction to factors that affect the health and wellbeing of ourselves and our communities. Suitable for students transitioning into discipline areas that require a broad understanding of the fundamentals of health.
View full course detailsCourse code: 230002 Foundation Social Sciences credits 15
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 detailsCourse code: 247009 Foundation Analytical Thinking and Numeracy credits 15
An introduction to essential skills and knowledge in analytical thinking, numeracy, and algebra to effectively interpret, analyse, and solve problems across various academic disciplines and real-world contexts.
View full course detailsCreative Arts Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 150001 Foundation Māori Culture credits 15
An introduction to the significance of Māori culture, including the principles and implications of biculturalism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
View full course detailsCourse code: 192011 Foundation Communications credits 15
An introduction to the skills necessary for successful communication both individually and in groups, and across a variety of contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293001 Foundation Drawing credits 15
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 detailsCourse code: 293002 Foundation Sound and Image credits 15
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 detailsCourse code: 293003 Foundation Fabricate credits 15
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 detailsFees and scholarships
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees 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.

QS 5+ star rating
Massey was awarded 5+ stars by QS for the third consecutive time. This rating highlights our strengths independent of rankings. We received 5 stars in each of the 9 assessed categories: employability, environmental impact, facilities, global engagement, inclusiveness, innovation & knowledge transfer, online learning, research & teaching. This includes 5 stars in the subject of Veterinary Science.
Related study options
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.
Foundation Certificate (International - Accelerated) – FCert(IntAcc)
The Foundation Certificate (International – Accelerated) will help you prepare for undergraduate study by helping to increase your English and academic skills.
Foundation Certificate (International) – FCert(Int)
This qualification will help you prepare for undergraduate study by improving your English and academic skills.
Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligence – PGCertIntel
Gain an advanced understanding of the roles, functions, and processes of intelligence to get a critical understanding of the ethical and professional issues involved in its practice.
Postgraduate Certificate in International Security – PGCertIntlSy
Study key topics in international security with Massey's Postgraduate Certificate in International Security.
Without Specialisation – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Inspire people, shape policy, solve problems, create new ways of thinking, and transform the world. You can study Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Without Specialisation – Diploma in Arts
With Massey’s Diploma in Arts, you can study what you enjoy and explore subject areas that spark your interest.
Without Specialisation – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Learn to be a critical thinker, problem-solver, and inspire people with Massey's Graduate Diploma in Arts.
Useful planning information

Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz