Why Study / Key Benefits

• Provides a fast pathway into undergraduate study at Massey University for students who do not otherwise meet the normal undergraduate academic entry requirements.
• Develops academic communication, English-language and study skills alongside subject-specific foundation knowledge.
• The accelerated programme takes only 4 months, compared with the longer Foundation Certificate (International).
• Students complete 60 credits and receive a NZQF Level 4 qualification on successful completion.
• Successful completion guarantees admission to unrestricted Massey undergraduate programmes, subject to the relevant programme being available.
• Programmes with restricted or selected entry still require students to satisfy the additional admission or selection criteria for that degree.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme requires 60 credits.

Core courses: 30 credits

Students take the following 15-credit courses:

• 115018 Introduction to Academic Communication – 15 credits
• 115019 Socio-Cultural Context of Aotearoa New Zealand – 15 credits

Pathway courses: 30 credits

Students select 30 credits from the available pathway subjects:

• 247024 General Mathematics – 15 credits
• 115023 Management Fundamentals – 15 credits
• 115020 Accounting Fundamentals – 15 credits
• 115021 Economics Fundamentals – 15 credits
• 247020 Biology Fundamentals – 15 credits
• 247021 Chemistry Fundamentals – 15 credits
• 247022 Mathematics Fundamentals – 15 credits
• 247023 Physics Fundamentals – 15 credits

Disciplines / Specialisations

The qualification does not have a formal specialisation. Massey University's regulations explicitly state that the Foundation Certificate (International – Accelerated) is awarded without a specialisation.

However, students select 30 credits of pathway courses, allowing the programme to be aligned with broad areas such as:

• Business and management
• Accounting
• Economics
• Mathematics
• Biological sciences
• Chemistry
• Physics
• General quantitative studies

Programme Highlights

• 4-month accelerated foundation pathway
• 60-credit qualification
• NZQF Level 4
• Auckland campus
• Three intakes per year
• Designed specifically as preparation for undergraduate study
• Academic English and communication development
• Subject-specific preparation through pathway courses
• Guaranteed admission to unrestricted Massey undergraduate programmes after successful completion
• Additional selection requirements continue to apply to restricted/selective undergraduate programmes.

Career Outcomes

This qualification is primarily a university pathway qualification rather than a vocational or career-entry qualification.

It does not independently prepare students for a specific profession. Its principal outcome is progression to undergraduate study at Massey University.

After successful completion, students can progress toward undergraduate qualifications in areas such as business, accounting, science, agriculture, information sciences, communication, construction, food technology and other Massey undergraduate fields, subject to programme availability and any additional selection requirements.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current Kaplan Massey programme page lists the programme as 4 months, 60 credits, NZQF Level 4, with February, July and October intakes.

A key current update is the published 2027 tuition fee. Kaplan Massey's fees page states that 2027 fees apply to applications received on or after 21 September 2026:

• Foundation Certificate (International – Accelerated): NZ$16,400
• 4 courses
• 60 credit points 

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa for this on-campus programme.

Immigration New Zealand requires applicants to:

• have an offer of place from an approved education provider;
• demonstrate sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or have an acceptable scholarship;
• demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses or have an acceptable sponsor;
• have acceptable medical and travel insurance;
• meet health and character requirements;
• demonstrate genuine intentions to study;
• show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their authorised stay.