Why Study / Key Benefits

• Provides an alternative pathway into undergraduate study at Massey University when a student does not meet the normal direct-entry academic requirements.
• Combines academic English, academic communication, information technology and New Zealand socio-cultural studies with subjects related to the student's intended undergraduate pathway.
• Successful completion guarantees admission to unrestricted Massey University undergraduate programmes listed by the College, subject to availability.
• Programmes with restricted or selected entry still require the student to satisfy the additional admission requirements of the destination degree.
• The programme leads to a NZQF Level 4 qualification on successful completion with the required grades. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme consists of 120 credits:

Core compulsory courses — 60 credits:

• 115016 Academic English — 15 credits
• 115017 Information Technology for Academic Studies — 15 credits
• 115018 Introduction to Academic Communication — 15 credits
• 115019 Socio-Cultural Context of Aotearoa New Zealand — 15 credits

Pathway courses — 60 credits:

Students select pathway subjects appropriate to their intended degree. The published options are:

• 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 Foundation Certificate does not operate as a conventional degree with named majors or specialisations. Instead, students choose pathway courses aligned with their intended undergraduate discipline.

The available subject areas include:

• English and academic communication
• Information technology
• Mathematics
• Science and technology
• Business and management
• Accounting
• Economics

Programme Highlights

• Official pathway to Massey University undergraduate study.
• NZQF Level 4 qualification.
• 120-credit programme.
• Three annual intakes: February, July and October.
• 60 credits of compulsory academic/core preparation plus 60 credits aligned with the intended pathway.
• Academic English and communication development integrated into the programme.
• Subject preparation across business, mathematics and science.
• Successful completion provides guaranteed admission to unrestricted Massey undergraduate programmes listed by the College, subject to availability.
• Restricted or selected-entry degrees require students to satisfy the additional requirements of those programmes.

Career Outcomes

This is a pathway qualification rather than a direct vocational degree, so it is not designed primarily to produce graduates for a specific occupation.

The main outcome is progression into the first year of an appropriate Massey University undergraduate degree. Depending on the degree subsequently completed, students may progress towards careers in areas such as business, accounting, agriculture, aviation management, communication, design, information sciences, environmental fields, science, food technology, horticulture and other disciplines.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current published tuition schedule introduces a 2027 Foundation Certificate (International) fee of NZ$32,800 for applications received on or after 21 September 2026.

Other important current points:

• Destination undergraduate programmes are subject to availability.
• Restricted and selected-entry degrees have additional admission requirements.
• Veterinary Science is specifically listed among the destination programmes but is subject to selective entry/pre-selection.
• Students should ensure that their selected Foundation subjects satisfy the prerequisites of their intended undergraduate degree.
• Published intake dates are subject to change.
• The College can conduct internal English testing free of charge for applicants where applicable. 

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying this programme in New Zealand, the applicable immigration requirements should be checked directly with Immigration New Zealand because visa rules and conditions can change.

A student will generally need to:

• hold an appropriate New Zealand student visa;
• have an offer of place from an approved education provider;
• demonstrate that tuition fees are paid or that acceptable arrangements have been made;
• demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses;
• demonstrate funds or arrangements for outward travel;
• meet health and character requirements;
• have appropriate medical and travel insurance;
• genuinely intend to study and comply with visa conditions.