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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

He Ara Takatū - Tertiary Foundation Certificate (TFC) is a one-year programme that prepares you for undergraduate studies and gives you the chance to meet degree entry requirements. If you aspire to study at the University of Auckland and want to build your knowledge, skills and confidence to reach your academic potential, then TFC is for you. 

You’ll experience life on campus and have access to all services, facilities and clubs. Depending on your subjects and grades, completing TFC offers a guaranteed path to all direct-entry undergraduate degrees.

TFC is especially here to support students from groups under-represented in tertiary education.

TFC is now offered at Tai Tokerau Campus in Whangārei. For more information, please visit TFC at Tai Tokerau.

Programme Structure

To complete TFC, you must pass eight papers, including core courses in Literacy and Maths, as well as a range of elective subjects in Arts, Business, Education, and Sciences.

If you gain a GPA of 7 or above in your first semester of full-time study, you’ll be eligible to take an approved Stage I undergraduate course in your next semester. This course will be credited to both the TFC and your future degree.

When you successfully complete TFC, you’ll have a nationally recognised University Entrance qualification. Depending on your subjects and grades, TFC offers guaranteed pathways to all direct entry undergraduate degrees.

Read about the TFC grades you will need for particular degree programmes.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

When you successfully complete TFC, you’ll have a nationally recognised University Entrance qualification. Depending on your subjects and grades, TFC offers guaranteed pathways to all direct entry undergraduate degrees.

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Video

Step into your future

Step into your future with confidence and bring your whānau with you. Explore Liam’s journey through the Tertiary Foundation Certificate.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

To be eligible to apply for TFC you must

  • Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
  • Have completed Year 13 or been out of school for at least one calendar year after Year 12 (if under 20 years old)

We welcome applications from students of mature age.

Once you have applied, you will receive a conditional offer and an email with further instructions about the in-person diagnostic assessment. This is a compulsory part of the conditional offer.

The outcome of your application and final course selection will be determined based on your diagnostic assessment results.

Important: We do not offer an online version of the diagnostic assessment. Attendance in person is required. The outcome of your application and final course selection will be finalised based on your diagnostic assessment results. The sooner you attend, the sooner we can make progress on your enrolments.

Further Programme Entry Requirements

Entry into certain courses, e.g., Chemistry, Physics, or higher Maths will depend on your assessment results. 

Other Pathways to Study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Additional Information on Student Fees

TFC courses have ZERO fees in 2026. Domestic students retain their full FeesFree eligibility for degree-level studies. Eligible TFC students will be able to apply for student allowance and/or living costs support through StudyLink or WINZ.  

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. Please note: international students are not eligible to undertake the Tertiary Foundation Certificate.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One06 February 202602 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two03 July 202620 July 202616 November 2026
2027 Semester One01 March 202728 June 2027
2027 Semester Two19 July 202715 November 2027

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this certificate are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this certificate a student must:

a be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand

and

b (i) have completed Year 12 at a New Zealand secondary school or its equivalent at least one calendar year prior to applying for entry

or

(ii) in special circumstances be eligible for Special Admission to the University.

Note: This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Arts.

Duration and Total Points Value

2 A student enrolled in the certificate must follow a programme of the equivalent of two full-time semesters and pass courses to the value of 120 points. In exceptional circumstances part-time enrolment may be approved at the discretion of the Programme Director.

Structure and Content

3 A student enrolled for this certificate must complete the requirements as listed in the Tertiary Foundation Certificate Schedule.

4 The course selection for each student requires the approval of the Programme Director. This may be reviewed and amended at the discretion of the Programme Director after each semester of study.

5 A student enrolled in this certificate must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

6 A student who fails a course may, with the permission of the Programme Director, sit a subsequent examination for that course providing that:

a the student has achieved an average grade of C+ in the courses taken for this Certificate

and

b achieved a grade of not less than D for the course in question.

7 The subsequent examination must be undertaken within two weeks of the notification of results to students.

8 A student may re-sit a maximum of 15 points towards completion of the Tertiary Foundation Certificate.

Variations

9 a A student who achieves a Grade Point Average of 7.0 in the first 60 points of this certificate may enrol in a Stage I course in their second semester, with the approval of the Programme Director.

b Credit may be granted toward a Bachelors degree at this University for the Stage I course completed under Regulation 9a.

10 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a personal programme which does not conform to these regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

11 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Schedule Notes

The course selection for each student requires the approval of the Programme Director. This may be reviewed and amended at the discretion of the Programme Director after each semester of study.

Programme Schedules

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 120 points for one Specialisation from Tertiary Foundation Certificate Schedule, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism