Social & Health Sciences

Foundation Studies

Who said tertiary study has to be scary? It’s not. Not with us anyway. At the Department of Foundation Studies we’ll make you feel right at home. Lecture rooms with hundreds of strangers? Not here – our classes are small. Lecturers racing through the course content without checking students understand it? Not in our classrooms. Nothing in common with your classmates? Very unlikely. Our students come from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and age groups.

We know every student is different, with different needs and challenges. Maybe you’re a school leaver who chose the wrong school subjects and missed out on the job of your dreams, or a mature student who wants a career change or another chance at academic success. If you dream of higher education and better career opportunities, we can help you develop the confidence, study skills and background knowledge you need.

Flexibility is key. There are several entry levels, and we’ll help you choose the level that’s right for you. There are different pathways too. Passionate about art and design, early childhood education, nursing or social practice? We got you covered. Construction and civil engineering, sciences or sport? We have programmes for these as well.

And if you’re still undecided or interested in something completely different, there’s a general study pathway too. Too much choice? Don’t worry. We’ll sit down with you and find out exactly what you want to achieve. And then we’ll find you a bridging education programme to make it happen.

 

Please note: Applications for Semester 1 Foundation Studies classes have now closed.
You can still apply for Semester 2, which starts in July.

 

Foundation studies programmes 

For further study in civil engineering and construction:

For further study in design, architecture and landscape:

For further study in early childhood education:

For further study in natural sciences, medical imaging or osteopathy:

For further study in nursing:

For further study in social practice:

For further study in sport and fitness:

If you want to move into another certificate or diploma programme:

If you want to move into another bachelors programme:

Short courses:

  • New Start: prepare yourself to return to study. Includes study skills, writing skills, and basic computing and word processing skills. 

Special needs:

Please note: Applications for Special Needs Certificates have now closed.

Unitec in schools

Our entrepreneurial wing (STEP UP) offers examination preparation classes in NCEA and CIE to secondary school students. Intensive revision classes are held in the September school holidays, followed by examination preparation classes on the first two weekends of November.