Best Preparation from School
What subjects should I take at school?Some career paths and degrees have recommended pathways from school. The following is a guide to the school subjects that are useful preparation if you want to study certain subjects at University. Most subjects do not require any specific background from school, although it may take you longer to complete the degree without the suggested background. Science Headstart preparatory courses are available each summer prior to University enrolment to allow you to pick up new science subjects. Discuss the best preparation for your studies with your school Careers Advisor or contact a member of the University of Canterbury Liaison team if you have any questions. The Best Preparation for University brochure is also available in your school. |
Best preparation by degree
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Any Arts subject can be started at first-year university level without previous study, but subjects such as Classics, English, History, Geography or Economics are useful
- Economics: Mathematics with Calculus, and Statistics and Modelling are strongly recommended
English: English is extremely useful - Language: A background is useful, but not essential as beginner courses are available
- Management Science: Mathematics with Calculus, and Statistics and Modelling are strongly recommended
- Mathematics: Mathematics with Calculus is strongly recommended. Statistics and Modelling is also extremely useful
- Social Science subjects: (Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, etc) Statistics and Modelling is useful
- Statistics: Mathematics with Calculus, and Statistics and Modelling are strongly recommended
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Any Commerce subject can be started at first-year university level. Previous study of Accounting and Economics is useful but not required. A good standard of oral and written English communication is important for all Commerce subjects.
- Accounting and/or Information Systems: Mathematics with Calculus and/or Statistics and Modelling are recommended
- Economics and/or Finance: Mathematics with Calculus, and Statistics and Modelling are strongly recommended
- Human Resource Management / Management / Marketing / Strategic Management: Statistics and Modelling is useful, good communication skills are essential
- International Business: Statistics and Modelling is useful; a background in a foreign language is beneficial, but not essential as beginner courses are available
- Management Science: Mathematics with Calculus, and Statistics and Modelling are strongly recommended
Bachelor of Education (Physical Education) (BEd(Physical Education))
- Biology, English and Physical Education are extremely useful
- A good background in another academic subject is useful as students must also specialise in a second teaching subject in their degree
- Involvement and interest in working with young people and physical activity is helpful
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (BE(Hons))
- Mathematics with Calculus, Physics and Chemistry are all essential
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
- Direct Entry to either 200-level courses or First Professional Year (Year 2) is possible with excellent NCEA Level 3 results
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
- Excellent practical art ability is essential
- At least one Practical Art subject is strongly recommended; taking an additional Practical Art subject will be advantageous (NB: Graphics is not considered a Practical Art subject)
- A background in Art Theory and Art History is useful
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Forestry Science (BForSc)
- Biology, Chemistry and Statistics and Modelling are extremely useful
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- A good standard of oral and written English is important as Law requires excellent language skills including the ability to express yourself in writing
- Subjects like English, Drama, Economics, Māori, Languages, History and Classical Studies give students good writing, research and analytical skills which are extremely useful
- No prior knowledge of law is assumed for an LLB
Bachelor of Music (MusB)
- Music to NCEA Level 3 or equivalent is essential for most courses
- Composition: good musical literacy and notational skills are required, previous experience in the writing and performance of your own music is recommended
- Performance Music: a strong theoretical and practical musical background is essential
- Excellent academic skills are required
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Best Prep document
- Astronomy: Calculus and Physics are required. Chemistry and Statistics are useful.
- Biochemistry: Chemistry is strongly recommended. Biology is recommended. Physics, Calculus and Statistics are useful.
- Biological Science: Biology is recommended. Chemistry, Physics, Calculus and Statistics are useful.
- Chemistry: Chemistry is strongly recommended. Biology, Physics, Calculus and Statistics are useful.
- Computer Science: Calculus and Statistics are recommended.
- Economics: Calculus and Statistics are recommended.
- Finance: Calculus and Statistics are recommended.
- Geography: Geography NCEA Levels 2 or 3 and any Science subject are useful.
- Geology: Calculus is recommended. Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Statistics are useful.
- Linguistics: Statistics is useful.
- Management Science: Calculus and Statistics are recommended.
- Mathematics: Calculus is recommended. Statistics is useful.
- Philosophy: Any science subject is useful.
- Physics (including Astrophysics): Calculus and Physics are required. Calculus and Statistics are recommended.
- Psychology: A strong background in Maths at NCEA level 1. Laboratories are computer-based and elementary skills in computer use are required. Biology and Statistics are useful.
- Statistics: Calculus and Statistics are recommended.
- For most subjects, a background in that subject at Level 3 is very useful.
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- Any Arts or Social Science subject such as English, Classics, History, Geography or Economics is useful
- Statistics and Modelling is useful for advanced study
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy (BSLT) Best Prep document
- Biology and any other science subjects, computer skills and work experience is recommended. Statistics is useful.
- Other languages are useful.
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Sport Coaching (BSpC)
- Biology and Physical Education are useful
- English or another subject demonstrating good communication skills is very useful
- Community involvement, coaching, refereeing, people skills and experience in dealing with young people is very useful
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Entrance is competitive – good academic and people skills are essential
Bachelor of Teaching & Learning (Early Childhood)(BTchLn(EarlyChildhood))
- Early Childhood teaching is a full academic degree that requires excellent preparation
- English, Mathematics and Mäori are extremely useful
- Science to at least Level 2 is extremely useful
- Community involvement, people skills and experience in dealing with children is very useful
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important
Bachelor of Teaching & Learning (Primary) (BTchLn(Primary))
- Primary teaching is a full academic degree that requires excellent preparation
- English, Mathematics and Mäori are extremely useful
- Science to at least Level 2 is extremely useful
- Community involvement, people skills and experience in dealing with children is very useful
- A good standard of oral and written communication is important.