The Diploma in Advancing University Studies (DipAdvUniStud) is a pre-master’s pathway designed to help eligible students progress to selected master’s degrees at the University of Canterbury.

UC describes it as a 120-point qualification in which students take advanced undergraduate courses, generally at 300 level, together with academic-writing and other supporting study. It is intended for students who need to strengthen or upgrade their academic preparation before progressing to postgraduate study.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Provides a structured pathway towards selected UC master's programmes.
• Allows students to undertake advanced 300-level university study before entering postgraduate study.
• Can help students who have previous tertiary qualifications but do not currently satisfy the academic requirements for a master's degree.
• Gives students the opportunity to build a stronger academic record in a relevant subject area.
• Includes Writing for Academic Success, supporting academic writing and university-level study skills.
• Offers considerable subject flexibility across Arts, Business, Science and related disciplines.
• Students can focus on one subject sufficiently to complete a major within the diploma, subject to the programme rules.
• Depending on the courses selected, completed courses may alternatively be credited towards a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Science.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The 120-point diploma consists of:

1. Compulsory academic-writing course:
   • WRIT101 Writing for Academic Success
2. One elective/support course, unless waived based on previous study:
   • ARTS102 Problems, Questions, Evidence
   • BSNS201 Business and Culture
   • MAOR165 Tuakiri: Culture and Identity
   • SCIE101 Science, Society and Me
3. Remaining 90 points:
   • Selected from approved 300-level courses in the relevant subject areas.

Disciplines / Specialisations

UC lists the following subject areas for the 300-level component:

• Accounting
• Anthropology
• Art History and Theory
• Astronomy
• Biochemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Chinese
• Cinema Studies
• Classics
• Computer Science
• Cultural Studies
• Data Science
• Digital Humanities
• Economics
• Education
• English
• European and European Union Studies
• Finance
• French
• Geography
• Geology
• German
• History
• Human Services
• Information Systems
• Japanese
• Linguistics
• Management
• M?ori and Indigenous Studies
• Marketing
• Mathematics
• Media and Communication
• Music
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science and International Relations
• Psychology
• Russian
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Statistics
• Te Reo Maori

Master's Pathways / Further Study

Depending on course selection and fulfilment of any additional requirements, UC lists progression to:

• Master of Applied Data Science
• Master of Applied Finance and Economics
• Master of Business Information Systems
• Master of Business
• Master of Civil Engineering
• Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience
• Master of Engineering Management
• Master of Engineering Studies
• Master of Financial Analysis
• Master of Geospatial Data Science
• Master of International Relations and Diplomacy
• Master of Marketing
• Master of Policy and Governance
• Master of Professional Accounting
• Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
• Master of Water Science and Management

Programme Highlights

• 120-point qualification.
• NZQF Level 7.
• February and July starts.
• One year full-time.
• Up to four years part-time.
• Minimum 90 points at 300 level.
• Option to concentrate at least 60 300-level points in one subject.
• Compulsory academic-writing component.
• Wide selection of subject areas.
• Designed as preparation for selected UC master's degrees.
• Can potentially provide an alternative route into bachelor's degree credit depending on course selection.

Career Outcomes

The Diploma in Advancing University Studies is primarily an academic pathway rather than a standalone career-focused professional qualification.

Its main outcome is progression to further postgraduate study. Depending on the courses taken, students may progress into selected master's programmes such as data science, business, finance, accounting, engineering, international relations, marketing, policy, education, environmental/water-related fields and other disciplines.

Therefore, specific employment outcomes should generally be considered in relation to the master's degree completed after the diploma rather than the diploma alone.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most important current update for international students is that UC's present programme page explicitly says the Diploma in Advancing University Studies is offered to domestic students, while international students should enrol in the Pre-Master's One Semester or Pre-Master's Two Semester pathway.

This means an international student should not assume that the advertised $34,000 international tuition figure automatically means the student can apply directly to the diploma.

UC currently lists the international tuition estimate on its fee page, but its qualification page simultaneously identifies the diploma as domestic and directs international students to the international pre-master's pathways. This should be clarified with UC/IPU before an international application is submitted.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student actually enrolling in an eligible UC international pathway, a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa is generally the relevant visa route.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that applicants need:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition funding or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds.
• Acceptable medical/travel insurance.
• Evidence relating to outward travel or sufficient funds to purchase an outward ticket.
• Any required medical or police documentation.
• Genuine intention to study and compliance with visa conditions.