The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) foundation studies program continues to be recognised by Universities New Zealand (UNZ) with the first recognition granted in 2014.
Head of College of Foundation Studies Rosalia Fatiaki said the basis of this recognition meant that a USP foundation student with a grade average of B was eligible to apply to any university.
She said the exceptions were only applied if the university had other requirements that a student was required to fulfil.
“So that’s good news for our program, it also speaks volumes of the quality of the foundation program, it went through a rigorous process of assessment,” she said in a statement.
“The process started in February, and we got the confirmation of recognition in September.
“So, our students don’t have to do any bridging, they go straight into a university degree just like our foundation students going to do an undergrad here at USP, and it’s a big achievement. Universities New Zealand have given us five years.”
She said this was a clear indication of the confidence UNZ had in the quality of the qualification attained by students for the foundation program. She said they monitored students’ progress throughout the program and into undergraduate studies and data revealed consistent performance.
UNZ academic programs portfolio manager Wendy Robinson said this recognition meant that every university in New Zealand would be prepared to consider an application from a person who had completed the foundation program at this level.
