social sciences

Certificate of University Preparation

Foundation CertificateCUP
social sciences

The Certificate of University Preparation (CUP) is a one-trimester full-time programme taught at the University of Waikato College on the Hamilton campus.

60 points, 6 months

Hamilton

Trimester A (March), Trimester B (July), and Summer School (November)

Why study the Certificate of University Preparation?

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

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.

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. 

Contact us

International Enquiries

Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5pm

University of Waikato College

University of Waikato College, Language Institute (LAIN) Building, The University of Waikato Gate 1, Knighton Road, Hamilton, New Zealand