2025 Summer Start Course List
We are currently confirming the courses for 2026 Summer Start. Please check back here soon to find out more information on the courses that will be available in 2026. For details of the courses that were available in 2025, please see below. Please note this is subject to change for 2026.
If you are a Year 13 student intending to apply to study at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland in 2025, you can enrol into one course in Summer Start to get ahead start on your studies.
Courses available for enrolment under the Summer Start Programme are shown below. 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. If you need assistance, please email us at summerstart@auckland.ac.nz or drop into one of our Student Hubs.
Some courses are specific to a study pathway while others are also offered as a General Education ‘G’ course – this means they count towards a wide range of degrees. Please check the General Education schedules to make sure that your choice of General Education course is able to count towards your chosen degree programme. Please note that for students starting their studies in 2025, General Education courses are not required or available for the following degrees; Bachelor of Education (Teaching), Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Honours), Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Social Justice Studies, and all Conjoint programmes that include the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). Most other Bachelors degrees, including most conjoint degrees, will require one General Education course.
If you’re a Year 13 student intending to start a Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Property with us in Semester One 2025, you can take one course from the University of Auckland’s Summer Start programme. See our recommendations here.
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.
For student wishing to consider the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). there are also pathways to Engineering with the Faculty of Science. Students considering Engineering should see Summer Start for Engineering Students for further information.
Students will only be permitted to take one course in the Summer Start programme.
Summer Start Courses for 2025
| Course | Description | Who is reccommended to take this course? |
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. | 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. |
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. |
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. | 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. | 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 Bachelorof 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 suitablefor Engineering or other science programmes. | Students who do not have any prior programming experience. |
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. |
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. | 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, or MATHS101 + MATHS 102 Massey University Accelerate+:160.101 + 160.102 Non-Engineering students should take courses from other Faculties. Students who do not satisfy entry criteria will have their enrolments dropped. Please also see Summer |
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. | ENGSCI 111 is only available for Engineering students with a Fast Track offer who are either starting a BE(Hons) conjoint degree, or who have completed MATHS199 (Max) at the University of Auckland with a B+ or higher. This course is appropriate for students who have achieved Merit or Excellence in Level 2 Mathematics externals, i.e. Achievement Standards 91261 (2.6 Algebra) and 91262 (2.7 Calculus) and expect to pass all Level 3 Calculus externals (91577, 91578, and 91579) with Merit or Excellence, or have a B or higher in AS Mathematics and expect to attain C or Most school leavers are not eligible to enrol in Engineering Part I courses over summer. BE(Hons) conjoint students however, can enrol in ENGSCI 111 over summer and then take ENGSCI 211 during Semester One. This may help you complete your conjoint degree more quickly. Please note that you will only be permitted to take a Please also see Summer |
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. | 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 isnot 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. | 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 theseand how to implement an evidence-based approach to exercise prescription. | 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. |
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 thoselacking Mathematical confidence and a preparation course for further study in Mathematics. |
Students who have studied mathematics at Yr 13, earning 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. | 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 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. | 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 coursei ntroduces 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. |
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. | 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), students looking to take the AlternativePathway via Faculty of Science to the Bachelor of Engineering. |
STATS 101/101G - 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. |
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. | Students interested in a BCom, BProp, BUrbPlan(Hons) or BAS. |
*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.