Starting uni can be exciting and a bit daunting. At Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, UniBound Summer is here to help you find your feet and feel confident in your new environment.

UniBound Summer gives Pacific school leavers a head start with a summer experience, including a credit-bearing course that counts towards your degree. You’ll get hands-on experience on campus, plus culturally responsive support to help you settle in and succeed.

• Kōkiri Raumati | Summer Programmes Induction Day: Monday 7 December 2026
• UniBound Summer programme begins: Tuesday 5 January 2027
• UniBound Summer programme closes: Wednesday 17 February 2027

• A strong sense of belonging and meaningful connection within the university community
• Fun and engaging activities both on and off campus
• The option to choose one of four credit-bearing courses that supports your future pathway: ARTSGEN 104, CHEM 150, STATS 101 or STATS 108 - Statistics for Commerce
• Academic and pastoral workshops to build skills and boost confidence·
• Peer mentoring for ongoing support
• A free AT HOP card for convenient travel
• Free summer gym membership

Under the UniBound Summer programme, you can study one credit-bearing course. Below are the courses you can choose from and a little more about what they have to offer you.

ARTSGEN 104 - Te Pārekereke 

ARTSGEN 104 is grounded in Mātauranga Māori and Pasifika knowledge systems. Students will explore how indigenous knowledge and values complement Western knowledge while developing essential university skills, supported by an understanding of university systems and resources.

If you're interested in a Bachelor of Arts programme (BA), this course equips you with Indigenous knowledge and essential academic and relational skills to support success at university and beyond. Find out more about ARTSGEN 104.

CHEM 150 - Concepts in Chemistry 

Explore the fundamentals of chemistry to enhance your understanding of the chemical nature of the world around us and to build a foundation for further study in chemistry. It is recommended that students with a limited background in chemistry take this course prior to CHEM 110, CHEM 120 or CHEM 190. This course can be good preparation for students considering pathways to clinical programmes as preparation for CHEM 190. 

CHEM 150 is ideal for students interested in a Bachelor of Science (BSc) who need to strengthen their chemistry foundations, gain practical lab experience, or prepare for further chemistry study and clinical programme pathways. Find out more about CHEM 150.

STATS 101 - Introduction to Statistics 

STATS 101 helps students develop confidence in understanding and working with data, building practical skills that can be applied to study, future careers and everyday decision-making.

STATS can be for anyone wanting to better understand and use data, developing skills that are valuable across university study, careers and everyday life. Students interested in studying a BA or BSc would typically take this course. Find out more about STATS 101.

STATS 108 - Statistics for Commerce 

While the content is similar to STATS 101, STATS 108 is the standard Stage I Statistics course for students who study a Faculty of Business programme or major in Economics under a BA.

If you are interested in studying a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Property (BProp), Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) (BUrbPlan (Hons)) or a Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS), this is the course for you. Find out more about STATS 108.

For 2027 we will be offering Kōkiri Raumati Scholarships to support with fees and encourage you to apply if you are considering studying with us in Summer Start, UniBound or Tōia ki Waipapa in 2027.

Students taking part in the Kōkiri Raumati programmes (Summer Start, Tōia ki Waipapa or UniBound) beginning in January 2027 may be eligible for a Kōkiri Raumati Scholarship to support with fees for the summer programmes. 

When you apply for a place in a Kōkiri Raumati programme at the University, you will be considered for a Kōkiri Raumati Scholarship — you just need to meet the closing date for admission to your chosen programme, no separate scholarship application is required.

This year’s closing date is 8 December 2026 and students who have been awarded a Kōkiri Raumati Scholarship will be advised in mid-December.
Please note that there will be a short acceptance period for these scholarship
offers so please keep an eye on your personal and university emails for any offers.

Applications are open now!

Registrations are open for students who have already applied to a University of Auckland accredited programme. If you haven’t formally applied yet, UniBound provides guidance and support to help you through the application process.

UniBound is also open to Pacific students who may not yet have met University Entrance requirements or received an offer but are eager to prepare for their university journey.

If there’s anything you’re unsure of relating to the UniBound Summer programme, please do not hesitate to contact our team below. 

For general application, and enrolment questions related to studies during summer, please submit an enquiry through our AskAuckland portal.