The Diploma in University Studies (Pasifika Pathways) is a one-year full-time diploma designed to help you transition to university. If you want to study at university but do not have university entrance or you think you might need to gain some more skills first, then this is the right choice for you.

Lay the groundwork for your undergraduate study and start on a pathway to a fulfilling career.

Choosing what to study can be hard–everyone is different. Pasifika Pathways will help you explore the options available at Victoria University of Wellington and achieve success in the academic world. You’ll be exposed to many different areas of university study throughout the programme.

In the first trimester, you’ll complete three courses designed to help you learn how to navigate the university environment. You’ll build skills for undergraduate study through group work that includes a community-based project. You'll also familiarise yourself with future career paths, and work on tasks from different subject disciplines from across the University. You’ll look at the Pacific Studies approach to studying Pacific heritage and learn how the experience of the Pasifika community relates to a range of university subjects.

In the second trimester, you’ll explore career pathways and take a course that matches your interests and allows you to get started with a Bachelor's degree of your choice. This will give you the chance to build on the critical thinking and writing skills you developed in the first trimester.

Once you’ve completed Pasifika Pathways you can enrol in a Bachelor’s degree and cross-credit up to 60 points towards a Bachelor’s degree.