Who our Accelerate+ students are
Our Accelerate+ students are curious, committed learners who are keen to challenge themselves and explore university study before leaving school. Accelerate+ provides an opportunity for academically capable students to experience a 100-level university course, build academic confidence, and develop skills for future success, all while continuing their secondary education with the support of their teachers and school community.
Eligibility
Secondary school students
If you are enrolled full-time at a New Zealand secondary school, you are eligible to apply for 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 apply for the programme if:
- you can demonstrate that you are 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 any expected prior learning, prerequisite, corequisite or restrictions of the course, you will be able to study most of the 100-level distance courses offered by Massey. The exceptions are courses associated with specialist qualifications, for example Te Aho Tātairangi, the Bachelor of Veterinary Science or Bachelor of Aviation – Air Transport Pilot. 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.
Students studying at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori in year 12 or 13, that meet Te Pāngarau unit standard 32412 and Māori-medium literacy standards from Te Reo Māori or Te Reo Rangatira, which are assessed under Te Marautanga o Aotearoa requirements (or UE numeracy or literacy), will also be eligible to enrol into the following 200-level Te Reo courses:
- 300210 Te Reo Kōrerorero: Discussing in Te Reo
- 300209 Te Reo Torangapu: Political Te Reo
- 300211 Te Reo Whakanakonako: Embellishing Te Reo
Search 100-level distance courses
How many courses you can study
Standard Accelerate+ students are eligible to study up to 30 credits per year, usually one 15-credit course per semester.
Extended Accelerate+ students who have achieved University Entrance are eligible to study up to 60 credits per year, up to two 15-credit courses per semester, subject to approval by their school.
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 an undergraduate qualification at Massey, or another NZ university, you may be able to credit the course(s) toward your selected degree.
Students intending to enrol in specialist qualifications (for example Te Aho Tātairangi, 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 and may affect your eligibility for acceptance.
How to apply
1, Talk to your school or guardian
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.
Extended Accelerate+ students can select up to 2 courses per semester (up to 60 credits per year) from any of the eligible 100-level courses* offered by the university that are available via distance.
Search 100-level distance courses
When selecting courses, pay particular attention to any prerequisites, corequisites or restrictions associated with the course to ensure that you are eligible to enrol. You should also check whether the course has any compulsory block courses or field trips, as these are also not suitable for selection.
*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.
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 academically capable students with the opportunity to extend their learning while continuing at school. Schools can enrol domestic students into 100-level university courses at no cost utilising the zero-tuition fee scheme. Any course-related non-tuition fees (ie textbooks, costs associated with attending a block course) will be the responsibility of the school.
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori students
Students studying in year 12 or 13, that meet Te Pāngarau unit standard 32412 and Māori-medium literacy standards from Te Reo Māori or Te Reo Rangatira, which are assessed under Te Marautanga o Aotearoa requirements (or UE numeracy and literacy), will be eligible to enrol into 100-level courses available by distance, and the following 200-level Te Reo courses, with zero tuition fees in 2027:
300210 Te Reo Kōrerorero: Discussing in Te Reo
300209 Te Reo Torangapu: Political Te Reo
300211 Te Reo Whakanakonako: Embellishing Te Reo
The prerequisites and general progression requirements for these courses will be waived.
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. International students are not eligible for the zero-tuition fee scheme.
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