FREEDOM Institute of Higher Education

About FREEDOM Institute of Higher Education

  • FREEDOM (branded on its site as Freedom Wellbeing Institute / Freedom Institute of Higher Education) is a small New Zealand private tertiary provider (a Private Training Establishment — PTE) that focuses on wellbeing education, professional wellbeing accreditation, research and tools (notably the Universal Wellbeing Model and the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool — UWET).

  • The institute is part of the House of Montrose Limited group and runs professional programmes, short courses, wellbeing evaluations and research projects

 

Why consider FREEDOM (strengths)

  • Specialist focus on wellbeing: FREEDOM has a distinctive, research-based Universal Wellbeing Model and an evaluation tool (UWET) used in professional and organisational wellbeing settings — useful if your interest is workplace/organizational wellbeing, pastoral care, or applied wellbeing research.

  • Small class sizes and personalised support: NZQA’s review noted small cohorts and generally positive student support and satisfaction where students were enrolled. That can mean more individual attention compared with large institutions.

  • Active research & events: The institute runs conferences, publishes research and runs multi-year research projects around the UWET, which may give students exposure to active research and practitioner networks.

 

Important ranking & regulatory status (what you must know)

  • Not a ranked university. FREEDOM is a small, specialist PTE — it is not a ranked university (it does not appear in international ranking tables). Use NZQA/official provider pages to check accreditation of specific programmes before enrolling.

  • NZQA External Evaluation & Review (EER) — 2020: NZQA’s EER (Nov 4, 2020) found mixed results: many positives (student outcomes in some programmes, student satisfaction, research activity) but also serious concerns about academic quality, compliance and self-assessment in some areas. The EER outcome was “Not Yet Confident” in overall educational performance and capability in self-assessment at that time, and NZQA issued recommendations and some compliance actions which the provider was working to address. Read the full EER if you’re considering enrolment — it’s essential background.

 

Campus & contact details

  • Main (public) contact / teaching address: Level 1, 610 Victoria Street, Central Business District, Hamilton 3204, New Zealand. Phone and email are on the provider site. (They also have had teaching activity in Auckland and previously Tauranga.)

 

Types of courses & study levels

  • FREEDOM offers professional wellbeing programmes, short courses, and accredited tertiary programmes across a range of NZQF levels (the NZQA report notes most programmes are at Levels 4–9, with a particular focus on levels 7–9 for applied postgraduate study). Examples listed on public course directories include certificates and graduate-level programmes.

  • Example programme types you’ll find (representative, not exhaustive):

    • Short courses & professional certificates in universal wellbeing and pastoral care (workshops, UWET training) — on-campus and workshop formats.

    • Level 4 certificates (e.g., New Zealand Certificate in Drama — listing on college directories shows some Level 4 offerings tied to the provider)

    • Level 7–9 programmes: postgraduate certificate/diploma/masters in Applied Leadership and graduate diplomas in curriculum design and academic management (these were the focus of NZQA’s 2020 EER).

 

Mode of learning

  • Onsite (face-to-face) delivery: the website shows in-person workshops, on-site evaluations and professional courses delivered in Hamilton and events (e.g., conferences).

  • Online / digital tools: FREEDOM operates a UWET portal (digital evaluation tool) and has online resources — some programmes or components appear to include online/digital delivery or blended options for professional learners.

  • Blended / professional delivery: professional accreditation and CPD courses are often delivered in blended formats (workshops + online resources) to suit working professionals. Confirm delivery mode for the exact programme you want.

 

Number of programs offered

  • FREEDOM is a small provider. It runs a handful of formal accredited programmes (including several postgraduate-level qualifications at the time of NZQA’s review) plus short courses, UWET evaluations, and professional accreditation pathways. Public course directory listings show multiple discrete programmes (certificates, graduate diplomas, short courses) but there is no single public page listing “total number of programmes” — if you need an exact current count, ask FREEDOM directly or check the latest NZQA programme approvals.

 

Highlights / selling points

  • Research-driven wellbeing model (UWET) and a 16-year research program behind its resources.

  • Active national-level events and conferences (e.g., the 2025 Universal Wellbeing Conference) connecting academics, practitioners and organisations.

  • Small cohorts and personalised support; positive student feedback in many programmes.

Scholarship

What’s Available?

The institute offers fully funded scholarships aimed at international professionals, researchers, and leaders committed to advancing wellbeing and human rights. Scholarships cover 100% tuition for selected certificate programmes and are designed for applicants who wish to make substantial contributions within their communities or organisations.

1. Certificate in Pastoral Care & Universal Wellbeing Coordination (CPCUWC)

  • Focus: Leadership, wellbeing, education, social policy, and community management.

  • Includes: Advanced training in designing and leading system-level wellbeing strategies.

  • Ideal for: Professionals in education, health, community development, policy, or organisational leadership looking to build impact at scale.

Intakes: October 2025 & March 2026
Application deadline: 30 September 2025

2. Certificate in Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Facilitation (CUWEF)

  • Focus: Professional accreditation to administer, analyse, and report on the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool (UWET).

  • Designed for: Academics, evaluation specialists, and practitioners aiming to embed measurement frameworks into research, clinical, or organisational practice.

Same intake and deadlines as CPCUWC

 

Scholarship Details

  • Coverage: Full tuition for the selected programme (either CPCUWC or CUWEF).

  • Does not cover: Travel, accommodation, living costs.

  • Selection: Competitive — based on professional background, leadership capacity, and potential for systemic impact.

  • Delivery: Fully online, with live interactive sessions and flexible schedules.

 

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for these scholarships, applicants must:

  • Be an international citizen working in education, health, government, community development, or research.

  • Hold a current leadership or professional role linked to systemic wellbeing or evaluation.

  • Be able to demonstrate how they will apply their learning within an organisational, institutional, community, or national context.

  • Provide two professional or academic references supporting their suitability.

  • Submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) outlining their vision and intended impact.

 

Strategic Tips for Applicants

  • SOP: Focus on your leadership experience, how you’ve contributed to wellbeing, and how you plan to scale your impact.

  • References: Choose referees who can speak to your community impact and leadership qualities.

  • Early Submission: Apply well before the deadline to improve your chances.

  • Proof of English: IELTS 6.0 or equivalent is advised if English is not your first language.

 

Graduate Outcomes & Benefits

  • Earn professional accreditation from the College of Professional Universal Wellbeing Practitioners (CPUWP).

  • Certificate recognition from the FREEDOM Wellbeing Institute.

  • Access to an international network of wellbeing professionals.

  • Qualifications applicable in academia, healthcare, policy, corporate leadership, and NGO work.

 

Final Notes

  • Scholarships are limited in number and highly competitive, targeting candidates who demonstrate readiness to influence change and implement systemic strategies.

  • In addition to these offerings, students pursuing other programmes should watch for Maori/Pasifika scholarship opportunities, though they are limited in number.

Programs

Hamilton, New Zealand