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Subjects

For a smooth transition to the University of Auckland, it is important to select the right subjects based on your intended undergraduate degree. Learn about the different degrees available under each faculty and the recommended or compulsory subjects for each.

Recommended subjects are those that are useful for degree preparation, but not required to gain entry. Compulsory subjects are those that are needed to gain entry to a degree.

What you'll learn

  • Core: English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
  • Elective (Choose four):
Accounting Geography
Art History Physics
Biology Mathematics – Calculus
Chemistry Mathematics – Modelling
Design Statistics
Economics Communications

Prepare to study at university

Study the academic subjects you need for your degree programme, in English

  • Upskill in academic English
  • Understand lectures clearly
  • Write stronger essays
  • Read written content more effectively
  • Take useful notes
  • Improve pronunciation and confidence when speaking/presenting
  • Develop critical thinking skills
  • Learn independent study skills

Study what you love

Arts

The Faculty of Arts has been at the heart of the University of Auckland for over 125 years. Auckland University College was established in 1883. We are proud to be home to archaeology, anthropology, and English language and literature, all placed in the top 50 in the world (2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject). 

Bachelor of Arts

Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two

Bachelor of Communications

Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one

Bachelor of Global Studies

Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one

Majors available in this programme:

  • Academic English Studies and Linguistics
  • Anthropology
  • Art History
  • Asian Studies Chinese
  • Classical Studies and Ancient History
  • Communication (Major)
  • Communication (Specialisation)
  • Criminology Drama
  • Economics Education
  • Employment Relations and Organisation Studies
  • English European Studies
  • French Gender Studies
  • Geography German Greek
  • History Italian Japanese
  • Korean Latin Linguistics
  • Logic and Computation
  • Mathematics Media, Film and Television Music
  • Māori Studies
  • Pacific Studies Philosophy
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Statistics TESOL
  • Theological and Religious Studies

CERTIFICATE IN FOUNDATION STUDIES SUBJECT SELECTION

– English for Academic Purpose(EAP) is compulsory for all students.

ACCOUNTING

ART HISTORY

BIOLOGY

CHEMISTRY

DESIGN

ECONOMICS

GEOGRAPHY

PHYSICS

MATH – CALCULUS

MATH – MODELLING*

STATISTICS

COMMNUNICATIONS

Business

The University of Auckland Business School is one of Asia-Pacific’s foremost research-led business schools, known for excellence and innovation in research, learning and partnership with enterprise. Our internationally qualified staff, up-to-date technology, and strong focus on student development mean that from day one you will receive a business education that is among the best on offer in New Zealand.

Degree:

Bachelor of Commerce
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two

Bachelor of Property
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two

Majors available in this programme

  • Accounting
  • Business Analytics
  • Commercial Law
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Information Systems
  • Taxation
  • Innovation and
    Entrepreneurship
  • International Business
  • Managements
  • Marketing
  • Operations and Supply Chain
    Management

CERTIFICATE IN FOUNDATION STUDIES SUBJECT SELECTION

– English for Academic Purpose(EAP) is compulsory for all students.

Take the 2 recommended subjects:

PHYSICS

MATH – CALCULUS

ART HISTORY

CHEMISTRY

MATH – MODELLING

ACCOUNTING

ECONOMICS

COMMUNICATIONS

DESIGN

GEOGRAPHY

STATISTICS

BIOLOGY

Creative Arts & Industries

The Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries is a centre of creative excellence, bringing together teaching and research in Architecture, Dance, Design, Fine Arts, Heritage Conservation, Music, Urban Planning and Urban Design. Architecture and planning (architecture/built environment) is ranked within the top 100 schools in the world.

Degree Majors available in this programme
Bachelor of Architectural Studies
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one		 N/A
Bachelor of Dance Studies
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one and two		 N/A
Bachelor of Design
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one		 N/A
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Duration: 4 years
Intake: Semester one and two		 N/A
Bachelor of Music
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one		 Creative Practice in; Classical, Jazz, 
Popular Music, Music Studies ,or Composition
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours)
Duration: 4 years
Intake: Semester one		 N/A

CERTIFICATE IN FOUNDATION STUDIES SUBJECT SELECTION

– English for Academic Purpose(EAP) is compulsory for all students.

Strongly recommended subjects if you intend to progress to Bachelor of Architectural Studies:

PHYSICS

ACCOUNTING

ART HISTORY

CHEMISTRY

MATH – MODELLING

MATH – CALCULUS

DESIGN

COMMUNICATIONS

ECONOMICS

GEOGRAPHY

STATISTICS

BIOLOGY

Education & Social Work

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university for Education – ranked 27th in the world*, and the only New Zealand university to feature in the global top 50. Our staff are nationally and internationally recognised for their teaching and research, and our graduates are sought after by employers in local and global markets.

Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two (Semester 2 intake subject to availability*)

*The July intake is only available for students enrolling in the Primary specialisation at the Epsom Campus.

Bachelor of TESOL
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester two

Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Education#
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two

Bachelor of Social Work
Duration: 4 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two

 

CERTIFICATE IN FOUNDATION STUDIES SUBJECT SELECTION

– English for Academic Purpose(EAP) is compulsory for all students.

Choose 4 subjects:

MATH – CALCULUS

PHYSICS

ACCOUNTING

ART HISTORY

CHEMISTRY

MATH – MODELLING

DESIGN

COMMUNICATIONS

ECONOMICS

GEOGRAPHY

STATISTICS

BIOLOGY

Engineering

The Faculty of Engineering/Te Herenga Mātai Pūkaha provides internationally recognised qualifications to equip innovators and creative problem solvers with the tools required to build a better tomorrow. As New Zealand’s leading Engineering faculty*, we offer a wide selection of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across five departments.

Degree

Bachelor of Engineering(Honours)
Duration: 4 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two
(Semester Two intake subject to availability)

Majors available in this programme

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical and Materials Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Engineering General
  • Engineering Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechatronics Engineering
  • Software Engineering
  • Structural Engineering

CERTIFICATE IN FOUNDATION STUDIES SUBJECT SELECTION

– English for Academic Purpose(EAP) is compulsory for all students.

Take the 2 compulsory subjects:

Choose 2 elective subjects, it is recommended that one is Chemistry, Geography or Biology

CHEMISTRY

GEOGRAPHY

BIOLOGY

MATH – CALCULUS

PHYSICS

STATISTICS

ACCOUNTING

ART HISTORY

MATH – MODELLING

ECONOMICS

DESIGN

COMMUNICATIONS

Law

Auckland Law School has aproud history and producesmany outstanding graduates. In2020, we were ranked amongthe top 50 law schools in theworld in the restigious QS WorldUniversity Rankings by Subject.

Degree

Bachelor of Law (LLB)
Duration: 4 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a four-year (eight-semester) degree if you are studying full-time. It is studied in four parts (Parts I–IV). Unlike other undergraduate degrees, the LLB does not have a major attached to it. Everyone who earns an LLB degree gains a broad background in the law.

CERTIFICATE IN

FOUNDATION STUDIES SUBJECT SELECTION

You will be required to choose five non-Law courses totaling 75 points as a foundation from another bachelor degree. This includes one 15-point General Education Course.

In order to study Bachelor of Law, student must first apply for another undergraduate degree.

Refer to the website for further details.

Medical & Health Sciences

A career in medical and health sciences is a career for life. You can make a powerful difference in the lives of individuals and influence society for the better.

Studying with us means that you learn from skilled, internationally recognised academics in programmes designed to improve the health of real people. We also offer a modern, inviting and stimulating environment with outstanding facilities.

Degree

Bachelor of Health Sciences
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one only if seeking a pathway to MBChB, otherwise Semester Two also.

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
Duration: 6 years
Intake: Semester one

Bachelor of Nursing
Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one

Bachler of Optometry
Duration: 5 years
Intake: Semester one

Bachelor of Pharmacy
Duration: 4 years
Intake: Semester one

Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Hons)
Duration: 4 years
Intake: Semester one

CERTIFICATE IN FOUNDATION STUDIES SUBJECT SELECTION

– English for Academic Purpose(EAP) is compulsory for all students.

Take the 2 recommended subjects:

Choose 2 elective subjects

ACCOUNTING

ART HISTORY

PHYSICS

MATH – MODELLING

DESIGN

BIOLOGY

CHEMISTRY

ECONOMICS

GEOGRAPHY

STATISTICS

MATH – CALCULUS

COMMUNICATIONS

Sciences

The Faculty of Science is New Zealand’s leading science faculty, and is held in high regard for outstanding quality teaching and diverse research opportunities.

With 11 of the University’s science subjects ranked top in New Zealand, the faculty boasts eight subjects ranked in the top 100 worldwide. Our strengths Include Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Mathematics, Statistics and Psychology.

Bachelor of Science – Biomedical Science

Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one

Bachelor of Science – Food Science & Nutrition

Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two

Bachelor of Science – other majors

Duration: 3 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) – All specialisations

Duration: 4 years
Intake: Semester one and Semester two

CERTIFICATE IN FOUNDATION STUDIES SUBJECT SELECTION

– English for Academic Purpose(EAP) is compulsory for all students.

Take the 1 recommended subject:

Choose 3 elective subjects, it is recommended that one is Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography or Mathematics

CHEMISTRY

PHYSICS

BIOLOGY

MATH – MODELLING

MATH – CALCULUS

STATISTICS

ACCOUNTING

ART HISTORY

DESIGN

ECONOMICS

GEOGRAPHY

COMMUNICATIONS

Foundation Studies

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DELIVERED BY UP EDUCATION

Accounting

  • Introduction to Accounting – Financial Statements, Double Entry, Basic Concepts
  • Cost-volume-profit Analysis
  • Decision-making
  • Spreadsheets, using Microsoft Excel
  • Cash Budgeting
  • Analysis and Interpretation
  • Companies
  • Accounting Concepts for a Reporting Entity
  • Cashflow Statements
  • Job Costing

Art History

  • The Renaissance
    • Naturalism and Science in Fifteenth-century Italian Painting
    • The High Renaissance – The Influence of Antiquity
    • Gesture, Expression and the Portrayal of Narrative
    • Portraiture – Characterisation of the Individual
  • Modern Art – Towards Abstraction
    • The Development of Cubism
    • Paths to Abstraction
  • Aspects of Modern New Zealand Art
    • Paths to Abstraction

Biology

  • Cells and Biochemistry
  • Plants and Animals
  • Human Physiology
  • Ecosystems and Energy Flow
  • Genetics and Evolution
  • Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Chemistry

  • Atomic Structure
  • Chemical Bonding
  • Reduction and Oxidation
  • Electrochemical Cells
  • Enthalpy Change
  • Chemical Equilibrium
  • Acids, Bases and Alkalis
  • Dissolving and Precipitation
  • Organic Compounds – Nomenclature, Structure, Isomerism, Reactions and Polymers

Design

  • Graphic Design Methodologies including Logo and Poster Design
  • Language of Design
  • Design Manipulation of Image and Text
  • Research and Enquiry of Design History and Designers
  • Self-directed Production of Design Portfolio
  • Creative Thinking and Development of Ideas
  • Editing and Decision-making
  • Layout and Presentation

Economics

  • Basic Economic Concepts
  • Theory of Demand
  • Production, Resources, Costs and Cost Curves
  • Theory of Supply
  • Elasticities of Demand and Supply
  • Market Model and Allocative Efficiency
  • Theory of the Firm and Types of Competition in the Market
  • Market Failure and Government Intervention
  • Circular Flow of Income and Expenditure
  • GDP and the Business Cycle
  • Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply Model
  • Balance of Payments and Exchange Rate
  • Monetary and Fiscal Policies to Close Recessionary and Inflationary Gaps

Geography

  • Geographic Skills using Topographical Maps
  • Tourism Development in Rotorua
  • Plate Tectonic Movement in New Zealand
  • Development

Physics

  • Linear Motion
  • Newton’s Laws and their Application
  • Circular Motion
  • Work, Energy and Power
  • Linear Momentum
  • Rotational Momentum
  • Simple Harmonic Motion
  • Mechanical Waves
  • Electromagnetic Waves
  • Direct Current Electricity
  • Capacitance
  • Electromagnetism
  • Alternating Current Theory

Math Calculus

  • Applications of Differentiation for Calculus 
  • Integration Skills 
  • Applications of Integration 
  • Differential Equations for Calculus 
  • Complex Numbers 

Math Modeling

  • Applications of Differentiation for Modelling 
  • Differential Equations for Modelling 
  • Simultaneous Equations  
  • Linear Programming 
  • Exponential and Logarithmic Modelling 
  • Path Analysis 

Statistics

  • Probability
  • Expectation Algebra
  • Probability Distributions
  • Sampling Methods
  • Data Display
  • Calculating Statistics from a Data Set
  • Sampling Distributions
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Analysis of Bivariate Data
  • Analysis of Time Series

Communications

  • Introduction to critical analysis of media
  • Modern Media and Cultural Critique
  • Language of Photography
  • Digital Manipulation of Images
  • New Zealand WW2 Posters: Purpose, Audience, and Visual Techniques
  • Visual and Oral Text
  • Media Representation of a National Identity
  • New Zealand Short Film: Addressing Big Ideas through Film Techniques
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