UCIC Head Start Pathway
If you have just completed your high school studies but cannot get to New Zealand in time to start at UC for the July semester, you can begin your studies at UC International College (UCIC) in October and transfer to UC in February.
The UCIC Head Start Pathway allows you to complete your first semester (60 points) at UC International College (UCIC) from October to January, and transfer to UC in February to complete your degree.
By starting at UCIC in October and completing your first semester of study, you will be able to finish your degree at the same time as if you started at UC in July. This enables you to finish your undergraduate degree almost six months earlier than if you wait to start in February 2025.
This pathway is available to students who hold an unconditional offer for entry into the February 2025 intake for the following programmes:
Any courses you successfully complete at UCIC will be formally recognised and credited by UC when you start your bachelor’s degree in February.
Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(Hons))
Engineering students can participate in this pathway; however, UCIC courses are not recognised for the purpose of earning credit towards the BE(Hons). Instead, the pathway is designed to help you succeed academically at UC by gaining valuable prerequisite knowledge in subjects that you may not have taken in high school such as calculus, physics, and chemistry.
Talk to one of our registered agents in your country or apply in myUC for your chosen UC programme for the February 2025 intake.
You will need to attach a supporting document telling us that you want to follow the “UCIC Head Start pathway”.
UC will then issue an offer for the February intake for students who meet the requirement and pass your details to UCIC, who will follow up to arrange an offer for the UCIC trimester.
Ready to get started?
Tuition fees: $14,480 incl GST
Levies, insurance, and other costs: $520 incl GST
Total: $15,000 incl GST
Standard UC tuition fees for your chosen programme will then apply when you transfer to UC in February.
What if I fail a course or more in my trimester at UCIC?
This won’t impact your ability to transfer to UC in February as you already have a full offer, but it will reduce the amount of credit you can transfer to UC and therefore may extend the length of time you need to study at UC.
What if I don’t meet the direct entry requirements?
If you do not meet the requirements for unconditional entry to UC but do meet the UCIC entry requirements, you can enrol in UCIC’s University Transfer Programme (UTP) in October. The UTP enables you to study a full year at UCIC before transferring to UC to start your second year of bachelor’s degree study.
Can I live on the UC campus?
We can help you to apply to stay in one of UC’s halls of residence for both the time you are studying at UCIC and your first year at UC. Contact admissions@ucic.ac.nz
Can I get a Pathway Visa?
We recommend that you apply to Immigration New Zealand for a Pathway Student Visa, which will allow you to secure your right to study at both UCIC and UC via a single application. Let us know when you are applying for your visa so that we can provide you with a supporting letter.
