As a Foundation Studies student you will be a fully enrolled student of Victoria University of Wellington which means you will have access to all the University’s facilities and support services. There are three entry dates each year: February, July and October.

Students who pass six courses will receive the Certificate in Foundation Studies. The Certificate guarantees you entry to all undergraduate degree programmes at Victoria University of Wellington (note that very highly specialised programmes such as Music Performance have extra requirements). The Certificate is also accepted as an entrance qualification for all other New Zealand universities.

Programme of Study

The Programme is made up of six courses taken over two trimesters (eight months).

There are two compulsory courses: Academic Writing in your first trimester and Research and Writing in your second trimester. You will choose four courses from the list below:

Politics and Government*
New Zealand Literature*
New Zealand History*
Statistics

Commerce and Economics
Accounting
Computing
Mathematics
Science
Design

* Your programme must include at least one of these courses. Learn more about these courses here.

Successful Completion

To successfully complete the Certificate in Foundation Studies you must pass (50% or better) all six courses.

Successful completion guarantees entry to Victoria University of Wellington. The Certificate in Foundation Studies is also accepted as an entrance qualification by all other New Zealand universities.

Program Structure

The programme is made up of six courses taken over two trimesters - starting in March, June or October:

In the first trimester you must take: