Certificate of University Preparation
The Certificate of University Preparation (CUP) is a one-trimester full-time programme taught at the University of Waikato College on the Hamilton campus.
We offer a $2,500 CUP bursary for new applicants. This bursary is available to domestic students who successfully complete CUP and go on to enrol full-time in an undergraduate degree programme at the University of Waikato, in the next available intake. Find out more about the Certificate of University Preparation Bursary.
60 points, 6 months
Hamilton
Trimester A (March), Trimester B (July), and Summer School (November)
Why study a CUP?
CUP is for students who don't initially meet the entry requirements for study at a New Zealand university, need additional academic or who left school sometime ago.
This programme will give you the equivalent of University Entrance and will help you transition into degree-level study.
You will take two compulsory and choose two electives from a range of options.
60 points, 6 months
Hamilton
Trimester A (March), Trimester B (July), and Summer School (November)
Degree information
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Subjects Choose a subject
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information.
Browse CUP subjects Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
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Entry Requirements All applications will be assessed on a case by case basis if you don't meet one of the following entry criteria.
- NCEA Level 3 30 credits in university-approved subjects with numeracy and literacy OR
- NCEA Level 2 certificate and 12 credits each in three university-approved subjects with numeracy and literacy. Students must not have been enrolled in a high school within the last 12 months OR
- Successful completion of a Level 3 or 4 tertiary certificate
When applying, please include a statement telling us a bit about yourself and what you would like to do after CUP.
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Fees and scholarships Estimated fees
$3552 (one-semester Full time) per year
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Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 21 February 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees-free study.
Estimated fees
$12,740 per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 21 February 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
-
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
All applications will be assessed on a case by case basis if you don't meet one of the following entry criteria.
- NCEA Level 3 30 credits in university-approved subjects with numeracy and literacy OR
- NCEA Level 2 certificate and 12 credits each in three university-approved subjects with numeracy and literacy. Students must not have been enrolled in a high school within the last 12 months OR
- Successful completion of a Level 3 or 4 tertiary certificate
When applying, please include a statement telling us a bit about yourself and what you would like to do after CUP.
Estimated fees
$3552 (one-semester Full time) per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 21 February 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees-free study.
Estimated fees
$12,740 per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 21 February 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Course requirements
For a full-time student, there are up to 17 hours of class, and around 20 hours of self-directed study a week. Students are required to take four papers (two compulsory and two electives).
Classes are scheduled between 9 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday.
Students have the option to study part-time with approval.
Papers
Students are required to take a total of four papers: two compulsory and two electives. Options are listed below.
Compulsory papers
All papers are available in Trimester A, B, or C.
Elective papers
Any two elective papers are required.
- FOUND003 Foundations of Arts
- FOUND004 Foundations of Social Sciences
- FOUND005 Foundations of Business Studies
- FOUND014 Foundations of Business Financials
- FOUND015 Foundations of Health
- FOUND007 Foundations of Calculus
- FOUND008 Foundations of Mathematics and Statistics
- FOUND009 Foundations of Biology
- FOUND010 Foundations of Chemistry
- FOUND011 Foundations of Physics
- FOUND012 Foundations of Science