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 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 qualifications can enrol in the Creative Arts pathway within the Certificate of University Preparation.
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, 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 'pathway' courses from your area of academic interest.
Core courses
Pathway courses
Business pathway
- 192011 Foundation Communications
- 115030 Foundation Business Studies
- 247009 Foundation Analytical Thinking and Numeracy
- 192040 Academic Language and Writing 1
- 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
Humanities / Social Sciences pathway
- 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
- 192011 Foundation Communications
- 230001 Foundation Humanities
- 230002 Foundation Social Sciences
- 192040 Academic Language and Writing 1
Science pathway
- 247009 Foundation Analytical Thinking and Numeracy
- 247010 Foundation Applied Sciences
- 247011 Foundation Natural Sciences
- 192040 Academic Writing and Language 1
- 192011 Foundation Communications
- 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
Health pathway
- 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
- 192011 Foundation Communications
- 230002 Foundation Social Sciences
- 247009 Foundation Analytical Thinking and Numeracy
- 214004 Foundation Health Studies
- 192040 Academic Language and Writing 1
Creative Arts pathway
- 150001 Foundation Māori Culture
- 192011 Foundation Communications
- 192040 Academic Language and Writing 1
- 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 through the Get advice button on this page.
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: 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: 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 for Pathways
Business Pathway (Choose 30 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: 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: 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 30 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: 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: 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 30 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: 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: 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 30 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: 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: 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 30 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: 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: 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
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
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
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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 logo](https://d2ub1k1pknil0e.cloudfront.net/media/images/uni-overall-6star.width-284.format-webp.webp)
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 all assessed categories: employability, environmental impact, facilities, inclusiveness, innovation, internationalisation, research, subject ranking and teaching.
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Without Specialisation – Graduate Certificate in Arts
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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.
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Useful planning information
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Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz