Duration
Full-time: One year
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2026 Semester One – 2 March
2026 Semester Two – 20 July
Available locations
City, South Auckland, Tai Tokerau
Programme type
Non Formal

Programme overview

He Ara Takatū - Tertiary Foundation Certificate (TFC) is a one-year programme that prepares you for undergraduate studies and gives you the chance to meet degree entry requirements. If you aspire to study at the University of Auckland and want to build your knowledge, skills and confidence to reach your academic potential, then TFC is for you. 

You’ll experience life on campus and have access to all services, facilities and clubs. Depending on your subjects and grades, completing TFC offers a guaranteed path to all direct-entry undergraduate degrees.

TFC is especially here to support students from groups under-represented in tertiary education.

TFC is now offered at Tai Tokerau Campus in Whangārei. For more information, please visit TFC at Tai Tokerau.

Programme structure

To complete TFC, you must pass eight papers, including core courses in Literacy and Maths, as well as a range of elective subjects in Arts, Business, Education, and Sciences.

If you gain a GPA of 7 or above in your first semester of full-time study, you’ll be eligible to take an approved Stage I undergraduate course in your next semester. This course will be credited to both the TFC and your future degree.

When you successfully complete TFC, you’ll have a nationally recognised University Entrance qualification. Depending on your subjects and grades, TFC offers guaranteed pathways to all direct entry undergraduate degrees.

Read about the TFC grades you will need for particular degree programmes.

 

Most students need to take one General Education course.

Students should also be aware of the University’s Academic English Language Requirement.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

Science pathway

Semester 1 60 points

  • Code:
    TFCENG 91F
    Name:
    Academic Literacy I
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCMATHS 91F
    Name:
    Foundation Mathematics I
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCBIO 91F
    Name:
    Foundation Biology I
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCCHEM 91F
    Name:
    Foundation Chemistry I
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts

Semester 2 60 points

  • Code:
    TFCSTATS 92F
    Name:
    Data Analytics
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCMATHS 92F
    Name:
    Foundation Mathematics II
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCBIO 92F
    Name:
    Foundation Biology II
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCCHEM 92F
    Name:
    Foundation Chemistry II
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts

Sample programme structure

Arts pathway

Semester 1 60 points

  • Code:
    TFCENG 91F
    Name:
    Academic Literacy I
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCMATHS 91F
    Name:
    Foundation Mathematics I
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCHIST 91F
    Name:
    Foundation History
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCSOCIO 91F
    Name:
    Foundation Sociology I
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts

Semester 2 60 points

  • Code:
    TFCENG 92F
    Name:
    Academic Literacy II
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCARTS 92F
    Name:
    Introduction to Arts and Humanities
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCENV 92F
    Name:
    Environment and Society 2
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    TFCSOCIO 92F
    Name:
    Foundation Sociology II
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Entry requirements

To be eligible to apply for TFC you must

  • Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
  • Have completed Year 13 or been out of school for at least one calendar year after Year 12 (if under 20 years old)

We welcome applications from students of mature age.

Once you have applied, you will receive a conditional offer and an email with further instructions on how to meet the conditions and secure a firm place in the programme. To secure a firm place in the programme, you must attend an in-person diagnostic assessment session.

Important: We do not offer an online version of the diagnostic assessment. Attendance in person is required. The outcome of your application and final course selection will be finalised based on your diagnostic assessment results. The sooner you attend, the sooner we can make progress on your enrolments.

For more information, see our webpages:

Application process

 

Further requirements

Entry into certain courses, e.g., Chemistry, Physics, or higher Maths will depend on your assessment results. 

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

International entry requirments

To be eligible to apply for TFC you must

  • Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
  • Have an eqivalent of Year 13 or been out of school for at least one calendar year after Year 12 (if under 20 years old)

We welcome applications from students of mature age.

Once you have applied, you will receive a conditional offer and an email with further instructions on how to meet the conditions and secure a firm place in the programme. To secure a firm place in the programme, you must attend an in-person diagnostic assessment session.

Important: We do not offer an online version of the diagnostic assessment. Attendance in person is required. The outcome of your application and final course selection will be finalised based on your diagnostic assessment results. The sooner you attend, the sooner we can make progress on your enrolments.

For more information, see our webpages:

Application process

 

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Tertiary Foundation Certificate cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$0*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester Two 2025
6 June 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

How to apply

Applying for an undergraduate programme? Check out our step-by-step guide.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

When you successfully complete TFC, you’ll have a nationally recognised University Entrance qualification. Depending on your subjects and grades, TFC offers guaranteed pathways to all direct entry undergraduate degrees.

Further study options

See all study options

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

button for easy access to information about this qualification button for easy access to information about this qualification

Do you need help?

AskAuckland

Your online help and support centre. Search our frequently asked questions.

Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

Our student support team is here to help. Use our online contact form.

Need to speak to someone?

You can phone us directly.

Auckland
923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513