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CertAttainFSt
Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies

If you are an international student who is not currently in New Zealand, you can start this programme online until you are able to join us on campus in New Zealand. Click here for more information.

The Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies is an international pathway programme, offered by the University of Waikato College, for students who have completed high school but have not met the academic entry requirements for entry into degree study.

This Foundation Studies programme is for international students that have not met the academic entry for undergraduate study. Papers in this programme will teach you skills for successful tertiary study within New Zealand.

The programme includes compulsory English language and electives across a range of study areas. Classes include New Zealand students to encourage international students to improve their English and make New Zealand friends.

Why choose the University of Waikato College Foundation Studies programme?

  • The programme offers guaranteed entry to most University of Waikato undergraduate degrees upon successful completion
  • The programme is recognised by all New Zealand universities
  • The curriculum develops subject knowledge and skills as well as leadership and team skills to help equip you for university
  • The programme offers flexible intakes, with three points of entry during the year
  • Taught on the University of Waikato main campus so you have access to all services and facilities as degree level students

Apply to enrol

Key information

Years: 0.5 to 1
Study Locations:Hamilton
Start Dates: Trimester A (March), Trimester B (July) and Summer School (November)
Estimated Fees* (International): Accelerated: $12,132
Standard: $24,264 per trimester(Accelerated course = 1 trimester; Standard course = 2 trimesters)
Area of Study:
*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.

Degree Planner

Choose a subject

Students must be 16 years of age or older. All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

English Language Entry Requirements

Standard Foundation Programme

  • IELTS (Academic) overall score of 5.5 (with at least 5.0 in the writing band)
  • For all other tests that we will accept as part of English language proficiency please visit our Entry Requirements page under the Pathways Options tab.

    All other evidence is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Accelerated Foundation Programme

  • IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 (with at least 5.5 in the writing band and no band less than a 5.0)
  • For all other tests that we will accept as part of English language proficiency please visit our Entry Requirements page under the Pathways Options tab.

    All other evidence is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Academic Entry Requirements

  • Have completed secondary school study, equivalent to New Zealand Year 12, or
  • Have a completed secondary school qualification from your country of origin
Country of origin

Country Standard Foundation Programme Accelerated Foundation Programme
Argentina Título de Bachiller – grade average of 7.0 (lowest passing grade of 6) Título de Bachiller – grade average of 8.0 (lowest passing grade of 6)
Australia Successful completion of Year 11 70% grade average in Year 11
Bangladesh Higher School Certificate (HSC) with a 50% GPA Higher School Certificate (HSC) with a 70% GPA
Brazil Certificado de Ensino Médio – grade average of 6.0 (0-10 scale, lowest passing grade of 5) Certificado de Ensino Médio – grade average of 7.0 (0-10 scale, lowest passing grade of 5)
Chile Licencia de Educación / Enseñanza Media – grade average between 5.0 to 5.6 Licencia de Educación / Enseñanza Media – grade average of 5.7 or higher
China Completion of Senior Year 2; or
60% or above in Senior Year 3
70% or above in Senior Year 2; or
65% or above in Senior Year 3 in four subjects; or
Gaokao Tier 2 score (either stream)
Colombia Bachiller Académico – grade average of 3.5/5 or 70/100 Bachiller Académico – grade average of 4.0/5 or 80/100
Fiji Fiji School Leaving Certificate – 65% average over four subjects (must include English) Fiji School Leaving Certificate – 75% average over four subjects (must include English)
Hong Kong Form 5, pass in three academic subjects HKDSE – four passes with a minimum of three Level 3 grades
India All India Senior School Certificate (AISSC) 50%; Higher Secondary School Examination 50%; Indian School Certificate (ISC) 45% All India Senior School Certificate (AISSC) 65%; Higher Secondary School Examination 65%; Indian School Certificate (ISC) 60%
Indonesia SMA 2 (Year 11) – GPA 7.0 in four academic subjects SMA 2 (Year 11) – GPA 8.0 in four academic subjects
International Qualifications IGCSE / O Levels – C grade average in four relevant academic subjects, or equivalent

International Baccalaureate – 18 points in six subjects
IGCSE / O Levels – B grade averages in four relevant academic subjects, or equivalent

International Baccalaureate – 20 points in six subjects
Iran Year 11 with 16 out of 20 in academic subjects Year 11 with 18 out of 20 in academic subjects
Japan Kotogakko / Senior High School Year 2 – minimum of 60% in academic subjects (grade 2-3 on a scale of 1-5); or successful completion of Senior High School Year 3 Kotogakko / Senior High School Year 2 – minimum of 70% in academic subjects (grade 4 on a scale of 1-5); or
Senior High School Year 3 – minimum of 60% in academic subjects (grade 3 on a scale of 1-5)
Kenya KCSE with 2 C grades and 2 D grades in relevant subjects KCSE C grades in four relevant subjects
Korea High School Certificate Year 2 – Rank 2-3 High School Certificate Year 2 – Rank 1
Kuwait Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a’ama / General Secondary School Certificate with pass Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a’ama / General Secondary School Certificate with 75% average in academic subjects
Macau Form 5 / Senior Middle 2 – 65% in academic subjects Form 5 / Senior Middle 2 – 75% in academic subjects
Malaysia SPM – minimum four passes (Grade C) in four subjects (forecasted results accepted); or
UEC – minimum Grade C7 in four subjects (forecasted results accepted)
SPM – Grade B average in four subjects (forecasted results accepted); or
UEC – Grade B4 average in four subjects (forecasted results accepted); or
STPM – at least one C grade
Mexico Bachillerato General – grade average of 7.0 (lowest passing grade of 6) Bachillerato General – grade average of 7.5 (lowest passing grade of 6)
Myanmar Successful completion of the Basic Education High School Examination / Matriculation Examination Successful completion of the Basic Education High School Examination / Matriculation Examination with 75% overall
Nepal Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Year 11) with a grade average of 50% Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Year 11) with a grade average of 60%
New Zealand (international students) 40 credits at NCEA level 2 with no fewer than 12 credits in each of three university approved subjects, plus numeracy and literacy NCEA level 2 certificate with no fewer than 12 credits in each of three university approved subjects, plus numeracy and literacy
Nigeria West African School Certificate / NECO – grade C6 or higher in five academic subjects West African School Certificate / NECO – grade C4 or higher in five academic subjects
Oman General Education Diploma with a 60% average General Education Diploma with a 70% average
Pakistan Intermediate / Higher Secondary School certificate – average of 50% (Second Division) in academic subjects Intermediate / Higher Secondary School certificate – average of 60% (First Division) in academic subjects
Peru Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa – grade average of 14 Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa – grade average of 16
Philippines Year 11 – C grade average (to reflect new K - 12 system) Year 11 – B grade average (to reflect new K - 12 system)
Year 12 – C grade average (to reflect new K - 12 system)
Russia Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) – minimum of grade 3 in five subjects (compulsory and optional subjects) Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) – minimum of grade 3 in three subjects (optional subjects) and a minimum of grade 4 in two subjects (compulsory subjects)
Samoa School Certificate or SPFSC – 65% average School Certificate or SPFSC – 75% average
Saudi Arabia Tawjihiyah / General Secondary Education Certificate with 60% average in academic subjects Tawjihiyah / General Secondary Education Certificate with 75% average in academic subjects
Singapore Singapore / Cambridge O Levels – minimum C6 grade in four subjects (forecasted results accepted) Singapore / Cambridge O Levels – minimum B4 grade in four subjects (forecasted results accepted); or
attempted Singapore/Cambridge GCE A Levels with at least one H2 pass at C grade
Sri Lanka Sri Lankan / Cambridge O Levels – C grade average in four subjects (forecasted results accepted) Sri Lankan / Cambridge O Levels – B grade average in four subjects (forecasted results accepted)
Taiwan 70% or above in Senior Year 2; or
65% or above in Senior Year 3
80% or above in Senior Year 2; or
75% or above in Senior Year 3
Thailand Matayom 5 (M5) – GPA 2.5 Matayom 5 (M5) – GPA 3.0
Turkey State or Private High School Diploma or the Lise Bitirme Diplomasi or Devlet Lise Diplomasi – 2.5 out of 5 (50%) State or Private High School Diploma or the Lise Bitirme Diplomasi or Devlet Lise Diplomasi – 3.5 out of 5 (70%)
UAE Tawjihiya / General Secondary School Education Certificate with 65% average in academic subjects Tawjihiya / General Secondary School Education Certificate with 75% average in academic subjects
Vietnam Year 11 – GPA 7.0 Year 11 – GPA 8.0

Find out more about the entry requirements for this programme or contact the University of Waikato College if you would like to make an online enquiry.


New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

Looking for more scholarships?

Visit our Scholarship Finder


Duration

8 to 9 months (across two trimesters).

Note: you can complete the programme in eight months if you include C/X Trimester (summer school)

2022 Dates and Tuition Fees

A Trimester – 7 March to 1 July 2022
B Trimester – 18 July to 11 November 2022
X Trimester – 14 November 2022 to 13 February 2023

Standard Foundation Studies tuition: $11,780

Programme Details

  • You will study a total of eight papers, three compulsory and five electives from the list below.
  • All papers are available on campus.  Limited papers will be available online.  See below for specific details.
  • Students can have up to 18 hours of class per week (4 papers) with a further 20 hours to be spent on homework and revision.
  • Classes are scheduled between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Compulsory Papers

Elective Papers

STEM papers:

Business papers:

  • FOUND005 -  Foundations of Business Studies
  • FOUND014 -  Foundations of Business Financials

Arts and Humanities papers:

  • FOUND002 -  Foundations of Critical Thought
  • FOUND003 -  Foundations of Arts
  • FOUND004 -  Foundations of Social Sciences

Duration

5 months (one trimester).

2022 Dates and Tuition Fees

A Trimester – 7 March to 1 July 2022
B Trimester – 18 July to 11 November 2022
X Trimester – 14 November 2022 to 13 February 2023

Accelerated Foundation Studies tuition: $23,560

Programme Details

  • You will study a total of four papers, two compulsory and two electives from the list below.
  • Students can have up to 18 hours of class per week (4 papers) with a further 20 hours to be spent on homework and revision.
  • Classes are scheduled between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Compulsory Papers

Elective Papers

STEM papers:

Business papers:

  • FOUND005 -  Foundations of Business Studies
  • FOUND014 -  Foundations of Business Financials

Arts and Humanities papers:

  • FOUND002 -  Foundations of Critical Thought
  • FOUND003 -  Foundations of Arts
  • FOUND004 -  Foundations of Social Sciences

Contacts

University of Waikato College - Te Kura Huanui

You can find out more about the University of Waikato College, as well as make an online enquiry if you have any questions about the pathway programmes.

University of Waikato College - Te Kura Huanui

You can find out more about the University of Waikato College, as well as make an online enquiry if you have any questions about the pathway programmes.

A member of English New Zealand