Pre-degree study

There are academic requirements you need to meet for entry to a Bachelor's degree (also known as an undergraduate degree).

If you don't meet those requirements, you can complete a pre-degree programme (also known as a foundation programme). 

There are two pre-degree programmes with Creative Arts pathways: the Certificate of University Preparation (CUP) and Certificate in Foundation Studies (CFS). You will be offered a place in one of these programmes based on your education background and experience.

• 1 semester of full-time study 
• 4 courses (60 credits)
• Wellington campus

If you narrowly missed gaining the academic requirements for admission to University, or are over 20 and have been out of study for some time, you will be offered a place in the Certificate of University Preparation.

Once you successfully complete the Certificate of University Preparation you will gain admission to Massey's unrestricted undergraduate programmes and be prepared for undergraduate study.

If you complete the Creative Arts pathway you will be able to use your coursework as your portfolio to gain entry to the Bachelor of Design with Honours, Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours or Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts. 

Completing the Creative Arts pathway will also give you entry to the Bachelor of Creative Media Production, and the Bachelor of Commercial Music majoring in Music Technology or Music Industry. For entry to the Bachelor of Commercial Music majoring in Music Practice, you will also need to pass an audition.

As above, you narrowly missed gaining the academic requirements for admission to the University. If you applied for entry to a Bachelor's degree, you will gain entry and can enrol after passing the Certificate of University Preparation.

If you successfully complete the Certificate of University Preparation in Semester 1, the next intake for the Bachelor of Design with Honours, Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours and Bachelor of Creative Media Production is July 2021. The next intake for the Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts and Bachelor of Commercial Music is February 2022. 

If you start your study for Design, Fine Arts or Creative Media Production in July you can enter our Fast Track programme, which, provided you study full time in Semester 2 and Summer School, allows you to enter Year 2 in February 2022.

• 2 semesters of full-time study 
• 8 courses (120 credits)
• Wellington campus

If you have not met the academic requirements for admission to University, you will be offered a place in the Certificate in Foundation Studies.

Once you successfully complete the Certificate in Foundation Studies you will gain admission to Massey's unrestricted undergraduate programmes and be prepared for undergraduate study.

If you complete the Creative Arts pathway you will be able to use your coursework as your portfolio to gain entry to the Bachelor of Design with Honours, Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours or Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts. 

Completing the Creative Arts pathway will also give you entry to the Bachelor of Creative Media Production, and the Bachelor of Commercial Music majoring in Music Technology or Music Industry. For entry to the Bachelor of Commercial Music majoring in Music Practice, you will also need to pass an audition.

As above, you don't meet the academic requirements for admission to the University. If you applied for entry to a Bachelor's degree, you will gain entry and can enrol after passing the Certificate in Foundation Studies.

If you successfully complete the Certificate in Foundation Studies in 2021, the next intake for all our undergraduate degrees (Bachelor of Design with Honours, Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours, Bachelor of Creative Media Production, Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts and Bachelor of Commercial Music) is February 2022. 

Both the Certificate of University Preparation and Certificate in Foundation Studies have core, compulsory courses that teach you academic writing, research, critical thinking and study skills.

192.040 Academic Language and Writing 1
An introduction to expository genres and high frequency vocabulary and grammatical structures for academic writing.

192.042 Study Skills and Strategies
An introduction to the study skills and strategies necessary to be successful in the undergraduate tertiary environment.

192.041 Academic Language and Writing 2
An extension of Academic Language and Writing 1, focusing on further developing academic literacies and research skills for the production of written and oral assignments.

192.043 Critical Academic Skills
An introduction to critical thinking, reading, writing and numeracy skills essential for undergraduate studies.

Creative Arts pathways

The remaining courses you need to complete to meet the requirements are called electives. If you choose your electives from the following list, you will complete the Creative Arts pathway which qualifies you for entry to undergraduate degrees in the College of Creative Arts.

293.001 Foundation Drawing (Semester 1)
Learn a variety of drawing techniques using a number of different creative tools. Learn how to make critical choices that propel your concepts and ideas. You will be introduced to working in a creative arts studio while developing your drawing practice as a mode to generate, record and develop creative ideas.

293.002 Foundation Sound and Image (Semester 1)
Work in a creative studio environment, learning techniques and processes which will enable you to create your own audio and video project. You will be guided to set your own brief, developing initially from your own soundtrack and storyboard plan.

293.003 Foundation Fabricate (Semester 2)
Develop a variety of skills while working with a range of tools and construction methods to bring creative ideas to the development of a costume, prop or character bust. You will be guided through the process of creative a character profile while working in a creative studio environment.

150.001 Foundation Māori (Semester 1 or 2)
An introduction to the study of Māori culture, including the principles and implications of biculturalism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

192.011 Foundation Communications (Semester 1 or 2)
An introduction to the skills necessary for successful communication both individually and in groups, and across a variety of concepts.

You should look at the Certificate of University Preparation and Certificate in Foundation Studies on the Massey website to see the full course regulations and requirements for each certificate.

The Creative Arts pathways in both CUP and CFS are taught by Massey Creative Arts faculty at Massey's Wellington campus, using the same state-of-the-art facilities as undergraduate and postgraduate students, including New Zealand's first Fab Lab.

Foundation Drawing, Foundation Sound and Image, and Foundation Fabricate are taught in person on campus. Other courses are taught in person on campus, and may also be taught online.

Massey University offers CUP and CFS at each campus (Wellington, Palmerston North and Auckland) and by distance; however, the Creative Arts courses (Foundation Drawing, Foundation Sound and Image, and Foundation Fabricate) are only offered on campus in Wellington.

If you wish to take the Creative Arts pre-degree CUP / CFS pathway, you must do your programme in Wellington.

If you are eligible for Fees Free study, the Certificate of University Preparation or Certificate in Foundation Studies will count towards your Fees Free year.

However, if you have not yet met the New Zealand University Entrance requirements you will need to complete either the CUP or CFS before you can enrol in further university study.

Visit feesfree.govt.nz to see if you are eligible for Fees Free.

To talk to someone about the CUP or CFS programmes, or for help enrolling, contact us:

0800 MASSEY (or +64 6 350 5701 if calling from overseas)
Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm

Email: contact@massey.ac.nz
Text: 5222
Web chat