Eligibility
Secondary school students
If you are enrolled full-time at a New Zealand secondary school you are eligible to join the programme if:
- your school is a member of the programme
- you will be in year 12 or 13 in the year you are studying at Massey
- you have already achieved the numeracy and literacy requirements for University Entrance
- you have the support of your secondary school.
Home-educated students
If you are home-educated, you are eligible to join the programme if:
- studying at the equivalent of NCEA Level 3
- you have achieved the equivalent of the numeracy and literacy requirements for University Entrance
- you have the support of your home educator, parent or guardian.
Available courses
Provided you have met the prerequisite, corequisite or restrictions of the course, you will be able to study most of the 100-level courses offered by Massey by distance. The exceptions are courses associated with specialist qualifications, for example the Bachelor of Veterinary Science or Bachelor of Aviation – Air Transport Pilot. You will be able to study one course per semester, and no more than 2 courses per year. Please note that some distance courses include requirements for attendance at on-campus block courses or workshops, students should consider if they will be available to attend these prior to enrolment.
Commitment to Study
Prior to committing to extra study students should consider their current secondary study workload and extracurricular activities. Noting that a 15-credit single-semester course typically requires 10 to 12.5 hours of study each week
Impact on future university study
The Accelerate+ programme does not provide a formal qualification. You will not be able to graduate with it or receive a graduation certificate. However, on successful admission to a university you may be able to credit the course towards your selected degree.
Students intending to enrol in specialist qualifications (for example Bachelor of Veterinary Science or Bachelor of Aviation), including those offered at other universities, should check the requirements for those qualifications prior to enrolment. As some courses will not be eligible for credit, or zero fees, and may affect your eligibility for acceptance.
How to apply
1, Talk to your supervisors
Secondary school students
Secondary school students should talk to their school. To enrol your school will need to have joined the programme.
We also encourage you to speak with your teacher or Careers/Academic Advisor before enrolling to ensure that you are comfortable with the added workload studying a university course will bring.
Home-educated students
We encourage you to speak with your parent or guardian before enrolling to ensure that you are comfortable with the added workload studying a university course will bring.
2, Select a course
You can select 1 course (15 credits) per semester (up to 30 credits per year) from any of the 100-level courses* offered by the university that are available via distance.
If you wish to study courses at the 200 level** you must have achieved the equivalent of University Entrance or a minimum of 72 Level 2 credits in NCEA, including 4 approved subjects.
When selecting courses pay particular attention to any prerequisites, corequisites or restrictions associated with the course to ensure that you are eligible to enrol.
*Zero tuition fee scheme excludes core courses associated with specialist qualifications, for example the Bachelor of Veterinary Science or Bachelor of Aviation – Air Transport Pilot.
**Zero tuition fee scheme available for 100-level courses only.
3, Download and complete the application form
Secondary school students
Download and complete the Accelerate + Massey application form (PDF, 366KB).
Once you have completed your personal information and required course information pass your application to your teacher or Careers Advisor. They will complete the necessary school requirements and submit it to the Programme Administrator for approval.
Home-educated students
Download and complete the Accelerate + Massey application form (PDF, 366KB).
Once you have completed your personal information and required course information ask your parent/guardian to complete the appropriate pages and submit to the Programme Administrator for approval.
4, Apply by the due date
To be eligible for the zero tuition fee scheme, applications must be received by the Programme Administrator no later than 31 October in the year prior to study.
Information for schools
Joining the programme allows schools to provide gifted students with the opportunity to extend their learning while continuing at school. Schools can enrol up to 20 students per year into the 100-level zero tuition fee scheme. Schools wishing to enrol more than 20 students or students at the 200-level can utilise their STAR funding to cover the cost, choose to utilise other funding or pass on the costs to their students. Schools joining the programme will receive a discount on the domestic tuition fee for courses not covered by the zero tuition fee scheme. Please note this discount does not apply to any associated non-tuition fees.
School obligations
In joining the programme, schools agree to ensure that their students enrolling at the university are:
- capable of completing their requested course of study
- will be provided with support within the school to complete their course.
Schools agree to assist the university to administer the enrolment of students by:
- working with the student to select an appropriate distance course from those listed on the university website
- checking the student’s application is complete and accurate prior to the application being submitted to the Programme Administrator
- confirming that the student is eligible to undertake the study
- working with the Programme Administrator to address any issues that may arise while the student is undertaking the course.
International students
To be eligible:
- students must be enrolled at a New Zealand secondary school
- the school must be a member of the Accelerate+ programme (have an agreement)
- students must meet the minimum standard requirement for Accelerate+.
Schools can choose to utilise STAR funding to cover the cost of the course. Should schools choose to use funding other than STAR funding to support an international student, the school will be invoiced for the full international course fees.
How to join
Secondary schools who wish to be a part of the programme should contact the Accelerate+ Programme Administrator or speak with a member of the University’s Future Students Team.
Information for home educators
Joining the programme allows you to broaden your gifted students' learning with the opportunity to undertake university-level study while completing their secondary education. A limited number of places are available to home-educated students, studying 100-level courses, using the zero tuition fee scheme. Should all places be filled, students will be eligible for a discounted tuition fee. Note: non-tuition fees associated with a course are excluded from the zero tuition fee or discounted tuition fee schemes.
Your obligations
In joining the programme, you agree to ensure that your student enrolling at the university is:
- capable of completing their requested course of study
- will be provided with support to complete their course.
You agree to assist the university to administer the enrolment of your student by:
- working with the student to select an appropriate distance course from those listed on the university website
- checking the student’s application is complete and accurate prior to the application being submitted to the Programme Administrator
- confirming that the student is eligible to undertake the study
- working with the Programme Administrator to address any issues that may arise while the student is undertaking the course.
How to join
Home educators who wish to be a part of the programme should contact the Accelerate+ Programme Adminstrator or speak with a member of the University’s Future Students Team.
Contact us
Accelerate+ Programme Administrator
Phone: 0800 627 739
Email: accelerate@massey.ac.nz