Why Study / Key Benefits

• Allows students to study selected University of Waikato papers without committing to a complete qualification.
• Useful for students who need particular papers as prerequisites for admission to another Waikato qualification.
• Can be used by students who need Waikato study to contribute towards a qualification at another institution.
• May be appropriate for overseas graduates who need to complete one or a small number of specific papers. For example, Waikato's Faculty of Law identifies IPC as an option for overseas law graduates who need to complete one or two papers following an assessment of their qualifications.
• A successfully completed IPC paper can subsequently be considered for credit towards a University of Waikato qualification, subject to the regulations of that qualification.
• Students receive official notification of their final results and can apply for an academic transcript.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

IPC does not have a fixed programme structure or compulsory subject list.

Students select individual papers from the University's available offerings, subject to approval and prerequisites.

Possible uses include:

• A specific law paper required following overseas law qualification assessment.
• A prerequisite paper needed before applying for another Waikato qualification.
• A specialist subject paper to supplement previous academic study.
• A paper required to contribute towards another university's qualification.
• Individual papers selected from advanced education studies or other specialised pathways.

Disciplines / Specialisations

IPC does not have formal specialisations.

Because IPC enrolments can be made through different Faculties and Schools, available subjects can span areas such as:

• Arts and humanities
• Business and management
• Computing and mathematical sciences
• Education
• Engineering
• Health
• Law
• M?ori and Indigenous Studies
• Science
• Social sciences
• Other specialist academic areas

Programme Highlights

• Flexible paper-by-paper study arrangement.
• No requirement to enrol in a complete degree or diploma.
• Available across all Faculties and Schools, subject to paper availability and approval.
• Can be used to meet prerequisites for another Waikato qualification.
• Can potentially provide credit towards a future Waikato qualification.
• Can be used for approved study towards another institution's qualification.
• Official results are issued by Waikato.
• Students can obtain an academic transcript after successfully completing the paper.
• Particularly useful for students who need only one or a few specific academic papers.

Career Outcomes

IPC does not have its own defined career outcomes because it is not a complete professional qualification.

Career benefit depends on the paper selected.

For example:

• A law paper may help an overseas law graduate satisfy requirements identified by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education.
• A computing or data-related paper may provide additional technical knowledge.
• A management paper may supplement an existing professional qualification.
• A prerequisite paper may enable progression into a subsequent Waikato qualification.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current IPC regulations confirm five important rules:

1. Students are responsible for the fees and charges applicable to their selected paper(s).
2. Students must meet all requirements stated in the paper prescription and paper outline.
3. IPC enrolment requires approval from the relevant University academic authority.
4. A successfully completed IPC paper may later be considered for credit towards a Waikato qualification, but this is not automatic.
5. Students receive official results and can apply for an academic transcript.

International Student Visa Requirements

An international student who physically studies an IPC paper in New Zealand will generally need an appropriate New Zealand student visa, depending on the nature and duration of the study and their existing immigration status.

For a Fee Paying Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an applicable scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Meet health requirements.
• Meet character requirements.
• Demonstrate a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Have appropriate medical and travel insurance.
• Show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.