Foundation Studies

Foundation Studies helps international students who don’t meet our entry requirements to prepare for undergraduate study.

Victoria University of Wellington offers its own Foundation programme and accepts many Foundation programmes taught by other institutions.

The Victoria University of Wellington Foundation Studies programme is delivered by our partners at UP Education. It offers successful students guaranteed entry into Victoria University of Wellington’s undergraduate programmes.

Foundation Studies prospectus

Learn more about our Foundation Studies progamme and Victoria University of Wellington through our Foundation Studies programme prospectus, created with UP Education.

Foundation Studies programme prospectus


About the programme

  • Our Foundation Studies curriculum develops subject knowledge and skills as well as entrepreneurial enterprise, leadership, and team skills to equip you for university.
  • Special courses in English for Tertiary Study and New Zealand Culture and Society further prepare you for study at university level.
  • You can study any subject of your choice. Subject options include Calculus, Design and Society, Environmental Science, Health Studies, Introduction to Accounting, Macroeconomics, Management Studies, Marketing, Media Studies, Microeconomics, Physics, Psychology, Quantitative Methods, Statistics, and Tourism.
  • Our programme offers flexibility with four intakes per year. Depending on your academic background and level of English, you can choose from 6-, 8/9- and 12-, months (two, three, or four terms).
I am about to begin my Bachelor of Arts in Film and I will get the opportunity to learn a lot of professional skills, including drawing and special effects modeling. I can’t wait to start.

Yvonne Wang (China),

Student, Bachelor of Arts in Film

What the programme offers

  • a supportive and personalised learning environment
  • highly qualified, caring, and experienced teachers
  • a tutor who helps you develop and reach your achievement goals
  • blended and online learning to cater to students located in New Zealand and those studying by distance in their home country
  • a purpose-created iPad for every student for the duration of the programme.

You can find more information on the UP Education website.

Where you will study

UP Education is conveniently located in the Wellington Railway Building in central Wellington, a short walk from the University's Business and Law faculties. Its central location allows you easy access to public transport, accommodation, shops, cafés, and restaurants.

With regular scheduled visits to Victoria University of Wellington, you will have an easy transition into your degree study after completing your Foundation Studies programme.

I chose the UP Education because it’s a good pathway to Victoria University of Wellington. The teachers are very supportive, and the programme helps international students get ready for university life in New Zealand.
Hayley with Wellington city in the background.

Hayley Lim (South Korea)

Student, Bachelor of Commerce in Management

Two offers of place from the start

When you apply for the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation Studies programme, you will receive two offers of place at the time of application: a letter of offer for the Foundation Studies programme, and a conditional letter of offer for an undergraduate degree at Victoria University of Wellington.

Your University offer will be updated to an unconditional offer of place as soon as you have officially applied to the University and successfully completed the Foundation Studies programme.

Scholarships

Top Achievers Scholarships

Top Achievers Scholarship is offered to recognise outstanding student performance. Each trimester, two top-performing students are awarded scholarships valued at NZ $5,000 and NZ $3,000, respectively. The recipients are selected by UP Foundation, with a University representative presenting the awards at the graduation ceremony—highlighting the University's commitment to academic excellence and engagement with high-achieving students.

Upon enrolment in undergraduate studies at the University, students are eligible for the Undergraduate International Scholarship, up to the value of NZ $15,000. Recipients do not need to apply, and will be advised if they have been offered the scholarship in their Offer of Place.

New Zealand School Leaver's Scholarship

These scholarships, worth up to NZ $5,000, recognise high achieving international secondary school students living in New Zealand who have narrowly missed the entry requirements for University. Funded by UP.

International Excellence Scholarships

This scholarship is available for the Foundation programme and is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance in their previous studies. Funded by UP.

Foundation Connect Progression Scholarship

Students who successfully progress from Foundation Connect programme to Standard Foundation programme will be awarded a scholarship if they achieve top results. The scholarship will be awarded at three levels depending on their final grades: NZ $5,000, NZ $2,500, and NZ $1,000.

Intakes and fees

Information about the various courses, intakes and fees can be found on the Foundation Studies programme Intake and fees page.