VicStart

With VicStart, senior secondary school students can take university courses. Find out how it works, what courses you could take and how to apply.

How it works

VicStart is your opportunity to take an entry-level university course (100-level) with other first-year students while you’re still at school, and prepare yourself for university study.

University courses run across a ‘trimester’, which typically includes 12 weeks of lectures. One course generally requires around 10 hours per week—this could be attending lectures (online or in-person), tutorials, and labs, as well as working on assignments and preparing for exams.

VicStart runs alongside your secondary school learning programme, while you work towards meeting University Entrance. You can choose to enrol in up to two courses each academic year. Some courses are available online, and others are designed for an in-person experience on campus.

Explore all VicStart courses available

Who can apply

You can apply for VicStart if you:

  • are 16 years or older by the time your course begins
  • have met the literacy and numeracy requirements for University Entrance and have a high level of achievement at NCEA Level 2
  • have approval from your secondary school.

Why you should take a VicStart course

Pursue your
passion

Extend yourself in your favourite subject, or try out a subject not offered at your school.

Get ahead with VicStart

Credit successfully completed courses towards an undergraduate programme at VUW.

Build new friendships

Meet rangatahi outside your secondary school, who are interested in the same subjects as you.

Apply

Follow our step-by-step instructions to guide you through the application and enrolment process.

Apply for VicStart

Application deadlines

Your students must apply by the application closing date to be considered for entry to the VicStart programme.

YearTrimesterApplication Closing Date
2026Trimester 1Monday 16 February
Trimester 2Thursday 2 July

Help with course fees

You may be eligible for a VicStart Fees Grant, which covers up to 40 points’ worth of course fees. When you apply for VicStart, you’ll automatically be considered for a fees grant.

To be eligible for a VicStart Fees Grant, you need to:

  • have NCEA Level 2 Certificate or above endorsed with Merit or Excellence
  • be a domestic student
  • provide evidence of support from your school to confirm that you’re capable of undertaking university-level study while still at school.

These will be awarded after your NCEA Level 2 results have been released.  If you do not qualify for a VicStart Fees Grant, we will be in touch with you and your school to see how you would like to fund your VicStart study.

VicStart Scholarship

If you enrol in two VicStart courses while you're still at school, you can apply for the VicStart Scholarship—worth $3,000 towards your first year of study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Learn more by reviewing the conditions.

Further information

For any queries you may have, get in contact with our Schools Partnership Manager, Glenn Horsfall.