New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills (Level 2)
This is a great option if you want to re-engage with study or want to experience studying at a polytechnic. You will develop your study skills (reading, writing, maths, computing) and undertake community work, volunteering and/or practical learning.
Domestic
July
About this programme
Get a taste of what tertiary learning is all about and gain essential skills for work!
Whatever your background, you can start somewhere.
This is a great option if you want to re-engage with study or want to get a feel for what polytechnic study is like. Along with developing your study skills (reading, writing, maths, computing), you'll also undertake community work, volunteering and/or practical learning.
You will investigate a range of different career options and reflect on how these relate to your own interests and skills. You will also be able to put into practice the skills you have learned through practical workshops and off site experiences.
This programme normally takes 17 weeks to complete but we do offer part-time study options too.
16-24 years old?
If you are aged 16-24 and feel that school didn’t work out for you, you may be able to study this programme via our Youth Guarantee Scheme and pay no fees. This also applies if you are going to be 15 years old at the time that this programme starts and you have an early exemption from school. See more info in the Fees section below.
International
July
About the programme
Get a taste of what tertiary learning is all about and gain essential skills for work!
Whatever your background, you can start somewhere. This foundation-level programme is a great option if you want to re-engage with study and gain confidence and skills to enter the workforce.
You will undertake community work, volunteering, and/or practical trade learning at Otago Polytechnic. This will enable you to gain industry experience and knowledge in your chosen career pathway and ideally apply the essential skills that you will have learned earlier in the programme.
What You Study
Courses
During your first week, you will take part in a range of orientation activities. You will then study two core compulsory courses during term one (8 weeks) and then two compulsory courses during term two (8 weeks). Each course is worth 15 credits.
Essential Skills (Tuapapa)
Develop a range of communication and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrate communication skills relevant to your community, workplace or educational setting
- Demonstrate interpersonal skills to participate effectively in diverse environments
- Use essential skills to solve a range of specified problems
Self (Rapu Ora)
Increase awareness of self and others to identify potential educational and/or employment opportunities
- Demonstrate an awareness of culture and cultural diversity in self and others
- Develop personal wellbeing to contribute positively to the community, workplace and/or educational setting
- Set goals for future focus using an awareness of self
Project (Rapu Mahi)*
Explore identified goals for participation in employment
- Gain the research skills needed to investigate employment opportunities
- Evaluate and reflect on the skills you have learned to help think about your future career goals
Active Learning 1 (Rapu Pukengataka 1)*
Progress towards employment goals
- Apply awareness of self and others within work and life
- Apply essential skills in a familiar context
- Interact effectively with a variety of people
*work placements
Entry
Entry requirements
- Open entry.
- As part of our application process, you will be required to attend an informal chat with one of our careers team in Student Success. This is to ensure that you are enrolling into the best pathway for you and to inform you of the range of support services available to you through Otago Polytechnic
- If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Fees
Domestic tuition fees
We offer free fees to domestic students that do not already hold a Level 2 or higher qualification for our Level 2 programmes (some restrictions may apply).
International tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Youth Guarantee Scheme information
If you are aged 16-24 and feel that school didn’t work out for you, you may be able to study this programme via our Youth Guarantee Scheme and pay no fees. This also applies if you are going to be 15 years old at the time that this programme starts and you have an early exemption letter from school.
To be eligible for Youth Guarantee funding, you must:
- Be a domestic student aged 16-24
- OR be 15 years of age at the time when you commence the programme AND have an early leaving exemption letter from your school
- Don’t already have (or are not about to have) a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in any subject
- Have been thinking about leaving school and getting a job OR prefer to be working towards a career rather than staying at school OR have left school and are not sure how to enter higher education or employment
- Want to learn practical skills
- Be more motivated in a non-school setting and be prepared to enrol in a full-time or part-time programme.
Fees and allowances
The Youth Guarantee Scheme will cover tuition fees, material and equipment costs of your programme of study. Learners aged 18-24 who are enrolled in fees-free Youth Guarantee qualifications will now be able to access the course-related costs part of the student loan and student allowances if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Those under 18 years old will not be able to access any part of the student loans. Funding for travel is available, conditions apply. Please visit the Studylink website for full details. We strongly recommend that you read this carefully prior to applying for this programme.
The process
- There is not a separate Youth Guarantee application form. Please apply for this programme by using our standard Otago Polytechnic application form. To apply online, or to download a paper version, click the blue 'Apply' button at the top right-hand corner of this page.
- If you meet the criteria for Youth Guarantee funding you will be offered the funding if it is available. We will ask you to let us know within two weeks if you do not wish to take up the funding.
- If there is no Youth Guarantee funding available, we will send you a letter advising you of this. Along with this letter, you will receive an invoice, terms and conditions, a Studylink brochure and an equipment list advising what you will need to purchase before starting your programme.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
Application
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
