You are only permitted to take one course in the Summer Start programme. 

Some courses are specific to a study pathway while others are also offered as a General Education ‘G’ course. A General Education course is a great option in Summer Start and courses can count towards a wide range of degrees. To make sure your choice of General Education course can count towards your chosen degree programme, check the General Education schedules.

Commerce and Property

If you’re a Year 13 student intending to start a Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Property with us in Semester One 2026, you can take one course from the University of Auckland’s Summer Start programme. See our recommendations here.  

Medical and Health Sciences

For students considering a degree in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, you may be interested in the courses offered by the Faculty of Science, particularly CHEM150 and PHYSICS102.

Engineering

For details and information on the specific requirements for the Summer Start Engineering courses, students should see Summer Start for Engineering Students.

Future Engineering students can consider taking their General Education course in Summer Start. Please check the information on Summer Start for Engineering Students and the General Education Schedules to confirm your selected General Education course will meet the requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons). 

For students wishing to consider the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), there are also pathways to Engineering with the Faculty of Science. 

Details of the courses likely to be offered in 2026 under the Summer Start Programme are shown below. Please note this may be subject to change.

ACADENG 101 - Academic English Writing

Faculty of Arts and Education

Learn the skills necessary to write essays for university purposes, including brainstorming, writing an outline, structuring an essay, integrating quotations, summaries and referencing. This course improves your academic writing needed in other subjects, in particular, planning and writing essays.

Who should take this course?

Students who speak English as an additional language and want to improve their academic writing needed in other subjects, in particular, planning and writing essays. This course is also an approved course for students who have not met the Academic English Language Literacy Requirements (AELR).

ARTSGEN 104 - Te Pārekereke

Faculty of Arts and Education

This course is grounded in Mātauranga Māori and Pasifika knowledges with whanaungatanga (relationships that strengthen) and Vā fealoa'i (nurturing respectful relationships) at its heart. This will be manifested through the new relationships you will establish with your peers and teachers.  You will learn about indigenous knowledge systems and values and how they complement  Western knowledge.  Sense of belonging and bringing your authentic selves  and worldviews is imperative.  You will master essential skills, including self-confidence, time and workload management, written and verbal  communication, note-taking, academic writing, successful use of the library and approaches to research. Students will be introduced to university structures, systems and resources. These skills will enhance your diverse learning styles and equip you to become independent learners. 

Who should take this course?

Students who are interested in a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and students from other faculty programmes. From new to existing students who would like to add to their kete or baskets of knowledge.  You will be equipped with Indigenous knowledge and transitional academic and relational core skills to enable your success at university.  

BUSINESS 114 - Accounting for Decision Making

Business School

A core subject in the BCom/BProp.  Designed to provide support for all Commerce majors. An introduction to accounting and finance as well as basic analytical models that use accounting and finance data. 

Who should take this course?

Students who are interested in a BCom or BProp, and who have successfully completed Year 13 study in Accounting, who would like to make an early start in Summer Start by taking one of the BCom/BProp core first-year courses.

CHEM 100/100G - Molecules that Changed the World*

Faculty of Science

Explore the impact of chemistry on the modern world by focusing on the stories of specific molecules, including penicillin, DDT and nylon.

Who should take this course?

Students with a science background at Yr 11 or higher. Note, this course is not part of the chemistry major. 

CHEM 150 - Concepts in Chemistry

Faculty of Science

Explore the fundamentals of chemistry with a view to enhancing understanding of the chemical nature of theworld around us and providing a foundation for further study in chemistry. 

Who should take this course?

Students looking to build confidence following Year 13 chemistry, students missing standards from Year 13 Chemistry, students looking for extra practical lab experience, students who do not have a background in chemistry, especially if chemistry is a part of their planned degree. It is recommended that students with a limited background in chemistry take this course prior to CHEM 110 or CHEM 120. This course can be good preparation for students considering the Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) or the Bachelor of Health Sciences as preparation for CHEM 110. 

COMPSCI 101 - Principles of Programming

Faculty of Science

An introduction to computers and computer programming in a high-level language. The course will be useful for students who may wish to advance in Computer Science or in Information Systems and Operations Management, or to build programming skills suitable for Engineering or other science programmes. 

Who should take this course?

Students who do not have any prior programming experience.

DANCE 101G - Introduction to Dance and Creative Processes

Faculty of Arts and Education

Students will develop an understanding of our moving bodies through movement awareness, dance improvisation, choreography and creative and analytic writing.

Who should take this course?

Students interested to take this course as a General Education course. DANCE101 is not available for BDanceSt students.

EARTHSCI 105/105G: Earth’s Natural Hazards*

Faculty of Science

New Zealand experiences many natural hazards caused by the Earth’s natural processes through earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, weather bombs, storm  surge, tsunami, flooding and wildfires. This course focuses on spatial and temporal occurrences of disasters, hazard preparedness and recovery, and societal responses that affect and, sometimes, compound the magnitude of disasters. Case studies are drawn from contemporaryand ancient societies. 

Who should take this course?

Students interested in majoring in Earth Sciences or interested in a BSc. 

ENGGEN 131 - Introduction to Engineering Computation and Software Development

Faculty of Engineering and Design

Introduction to problem solving in engineering through the use of the software package MATLAB, and the programming language C. 

Who should take this course?

ENGGEN 131 is only available for Engineering students with a Fast Track offer who have achieved a B+ average or higher in one of the following: 

• University of Canterbury STAR: MATH199 (Advancing in Mathematical Sciences)
• University of Waikato Unistart: ENGEN101+ENGEN 102
• Massey University Accelerate+:160.101 + 160.102

ENGGEN 131 students must meet the following requirements:

• Fast Track offer in BE(Hons) or conjoint BE(Hons)

and

• B+ average or higher in one of the following:
  • University of Canterbury STAR: MATH199 (Advancing in Mathematical Sciences)
  • University of Waikato Unistart: ENGEN101+ENGEN 102
  • Massey University Accelerate+:160.101 + 160.102

Please also see Summer Start for Engineering Students

Non-Engineering students should take courses from other Faculties. Students who do not satisfy entry criteria will have their enrolments dropped.

ENGSCI 111 - Mathematical Modelling 1

Faculty of Engineering and Design

Develop an understanding of mathematical modelling, including differentiation and integration (polynomials, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and rational functions) and more. 

Who should take this course?

ENGSCI 111 students must meet the following requirements:

Pathway 1

• Have a Fast Track offer for a conjoint containing BE(Hons), 

and

• Merit or Excellence in BOTH AS 91261 (2.6 Algebra) AND AS 91262 (2.7 Calculus); or B or higher in AS Mathematics (9709)
• Expecting to attain all Level 3 Calculus externals (91577, 91578, and 91579) with Merit or Excellence, or C or higher in A2 Mathematics (9709)

Pathway 2

• A Fast Track offer for a BE(Hons) or conjoint BE(Hons), 

and

• B+ or higher in UoA MATHS 199

Please also see Summer Start for Engineering Students.

ENGWRIT 101 - English Writing for Academic Purposes

Faculty of Arts and Education

English Writing 101 helps you produce well-written and well-structured assignments, which address the question being asked in an appropriate way. The course focuses on the process of essay writing first, then covers the types of writing students are asked to produce in undergraduate assignments across different subjects and genres.

Who should take this course?

Students seeking to improve their writing through practice. English Writing 101 can be used to fulfil the Academic English Language Requirement (AELR), and is also a first year course in the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other
Languages) major. This is not a course in English as a Second Language. 

EXERSCI 100G - Exercise and Fitness: Myths and Reality*

Faculty of Science

Explore the science behind exercise, the human body, and its relationship with physical activity: what really works and what's just a myth? A science background is not required.

Who should take this course?

Students from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.

EXERSCI 105 - Exercise Prescription

Faculty of Science

What should my heart rate be when working out? How do you improve someone’s health with exercise? How do you measure someone’s 'fitness'? You'll learn how to answer questions like these and how to implement an evidence-based approach to exercise prescription. 

Who should take this course?

Students interested in majoring in Exercise Science or interested in a BSc.

MĀORI 130/130G - Te Ao Māori: The Māori World*

Faculty of Arts and Education

An introduction to Māori analyses of topics that are often discussed and sometimes controversial, and that continue to shape contemporary life in New Zealand. Topics include aspects of world view, philosophy and social organisation; the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Waitangi and European immigration; and contemporary issues including Treaty claims, ownership of the foreshore and seabed and constitutional issues. It is taught in the English language using some Māori language terms that you will learn during the course.

Who should take this course?

This course is suitable for students from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, from absolute beginners to those with extensive knowledge of Te Ao Māori.

MATHS 102 - Functioning in Mathematics

Faculty of Science

An introduction to calculus that builds mathematical skills and develops conceptual thinking. MATHS 102 works as a refresher course for those who haven’t studied Mathematics for some time, a confidence builder for those lacking Mathematical confidence and a preparation course for further study in Mathematics. 

Who should take this course?

Students who have studied mathematics at Yr 13, earning at least 13 credits in Mathematics at NCEA Level 3 including the Differentiation Standard 91578, or D in CIE A2 Mathematics or C in CIE AS Mathematics or 3 out of 7 in IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL).

Students seeking an Engineering pathway - Passing MATHS 102 with an A- or higher may be able to be used as equivalent to meeting the mathematics requirement for the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons).

Students looking to take the Alternative Pathway via Faculty of Science to the Bachelor of Engineering.

MATHS 108 - General Mathematics 1

Faculty of Science

A general entry to Mathematics for commerce and the social sciences, including topics in algebra and calculus andtheir applications. 

Who should take this course?

Students who have studied mathematics at Yr 13, earning at least 13 credits in Mathematics at NCEA Level 3 including the  Differentiation Standard 91578, or D in CIE A2 Mathematics or C in CIE AS Mathematics or 3 out of 7 in IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL). 

MUS 149/149G – From Rock to Reggae: Tracking Popular Music in New Zealand*

Faculty of Arts and Education

An introduction to New Zealand’s home-grown popular music, from the 1950s to the present day. A broad range of musical styles will be considered and situated within various social contexts. The issue of cultural identity in music – at national and local levels – will also be explored. 

Who should take this course?

Students from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.

PHIL 105/105G - Critical Thinking*

Faculty of Arts and Education

An introduction to reasoning, argument, and explanation that emphasises the development of practical skills and their use in everyday life. The course introduces different forms of reasoning and explains techniques to evaluate them. It will enable students to distinguish good arguments and explanations from bad ones, to explain thedifference, and thereby to improve critical thinking abilities. 

Who should take this course?

Students from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.

PHYSICS 102 - Basic Concepts of Physics

Faculty of Science

An introduction to the basic principles of physics. Key topics are the physical
description of motion, electricity and magnetism.

Who should take this course?

Students with little prior knowledge of physics, those who are looking to build
confidence in their Year 13 physics before studying physics, and students seeking an Engineering pathway (passing PHYSICS 102 with an A- or higher may be able to be used as equivalent to meeting the Physics requirement for the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)), students who will be studying PHYSICS 160 in Semester 1 e.g. students planning to study the Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science), and students looking to take the Alternative Pathway via Faculty of Science to the Bachelor of Engineering. 

STATS 101 - Introduction to Statistics*

Faculty of Science

Intended for anyone who will ever have to collect or make sense of data, either in their career or private life.

Who should take this course?

Students interested in a BSc, BA or other degrees.

STATS 108 - Statistics for  Commerce

Faculty of Science

The standard Stage I Statistics course for the Faculty of Business and Economics or for Arts students taking Economics courses.

Who should take this course?

Students interested in a BCom, BProp, BUrbPlan(Hons) or BAS.

Additional Information

*For students intending on taking this course as a General Education course, please check that it is available in the General Education Schedule for your chosen degree programme.

All students proposing to enter the University for the first time must take the online academic integrity course.

It is also highly recommended that all students completed DELNA within the Summer Start programme. 

Our friendly Student Advisers are on-hand to assist you in making the right decision for you based on your tertiary study needs and programme preferences.

• Email us at summerstart@auckland.ac.nz 
• Drop into one of our Student Hubs.