Source: University of Canterbury
03 December 2020
ENZ and New Zealand’s eight universities have announced a partnership with UK-based qualifications provider the University Consortium (NCUK) that will allow students from more than 30 countries to begin a New Zealand university qualification without leaving home. The pathways initiative enables international students to begin study in their home countries towards Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at any of New Zealand’s eight universities, including the University of Canterbury.
The partnership leverages NCUK’s quality-assured global network of 81 recognised education providers or ‘Study Centres’.
Students commencing the pathway in 2021 would start either their New Zealand or online study in 2022 or 2023, once they complete one of three, relevant NCUK pathway qualifications:
- a one-year international foundation year programme to enter an undergraduate degree in New Zealand (recognised as equivalent to ‘University Entrance’ by the University Quality Assurance Committee),
- a one-year international year one programme, equivalent to one year’s study towards a business or engineering bachelor’s degree
- a pre-master’s programme towards a master’s degree in New Zealand.
All New Zealand universities are supporting this partnership, committing at least $300,000 per annum across the sector in dedicated NCUK scholarships. The University Quality Assurance Committee (CUAP) has recognised the NCUK Foundation Year programme as being equivalent to university entrance.
The partnership will give students flexibility to work towards New Zealand university undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications while borders are closed.
NCUK Study Centres will start promoting pathway qualifications to study at New Zealand universities from December for the next cohort intake in March 2021.
NCUK is a not-for-profit foundation established by a group of leading UK universities, with 25 years’ experience in designing and quality-assuring pathway qualifications for more than 35,000 students to date.
ENZ is providing global marketing and business development support for the initiative, including through a series of country launches and ongoing marketing of the pathways in source markets.
In support of this initiative, ENZ has extended its Study in New Zealand website to enable all New Zealand quality-assured education providers to add global delivery sites over time, where students undertake learning for a qualification offshore.
The University of Canterbury International Relationships Office have continued to support our off-shore international students during this year, offering a range of support services and online study options to provide assistance as they study overseas. This pathway partnership will enable future international students another option to start and continue studies at UC without further disruption to their higher education. Further information on the New Zealand Global Education Pathways to the University of Canterbury can be found here.
