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Year 11 and 12 high school students
If you're in Year 11 or 12 at high school and are thinking about UC, you can find all the support and information you need here.
The UC Liaison team
The Future Students Liaison team should be your first point of contact if you are considering studying at UC. The Liaison team can help you make an informed decision about your study options by answering your questions and explaining anything you don't understand.
In particular the Liaison team can help you with information such as:
- School subjects that will give you the best preparation for UC degrees
- Subjects you might enjoy studying at university based on your interests and goals
- Deadlines for scholarships, accommodation and enrolment applications
- Which first-year courses to select to keep your options open
To be shown around our beautiful campus and to check out your options for student accommodation, we recommend you book a campus tour or attend Rā Tōmene | UC Open Day.
For study advice, contact the Future Students Liaison Team.
Identifying what to study at university
If you're not sure what you might want to study at university, explore how the subjects you like at school might translate to subjects at UC with this PDF:
or use our dropdown menu tool below:
If you enjoyed Agriculture and Horticulture at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Business Economics
- Business and Sustainability
- Chemical and Process Engineering
- Chemical Formulation Design
- Economics
- Engineering
- Environmental Process Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Forest Engineering
- Forestry Science
- Geography
- Global Humanitarian Engineering
- Industrial Product Design
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Natural Resources Engineering
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Tourism Marketing and Management
- Water and Environmental Systems Engineering
- Water Resource Management
If you enjoyed Art History and Practical Arts at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
If you enjoyed Biology at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Antarctic Studies
- Audiology
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Chemical and Process Engineering
- Chemical Formulation Design
- Chemistry
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Process Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Forest Engineering
- Forestry Science
- Health Education
- Health Sciences
- Māori and Indigenous Health
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Natural Resources Engineering
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Primary Teacher Education
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Speech and Language Pathology
- Sport Science
- Strength and Conditioning with Nutrition
- Water and Environmental Systems Engineering
- Water Resource Management
If you enjoyed Calculus at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Accounting
- Applied Immersive Game Design
- Astronomy
- Business Economics
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Economics
- Engineering
- Finance
- Financial Engineering
- Geography
- Information Systems
- Mathematics
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Performance Analysis
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Statistics
- Taxation and Accounting
If you enjoyed Chemistry at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical and Process Engineering
- Chemical Formulation Design
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Industrial Product Design
- Forest Engineering
- Forestry Science
- Health Sciences
- Māori and Indigenous Health
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Natural Resources Engineering
- Physics
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Sport Science
- Strength and Conditioning with Nutrition
- Water and Environmental Systems Engineering
- Water Resource Management
If you enjoyed Classics and History at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Ancient Greek
- Anthropology
- Art History and Theory
- Cinema Studies
- Classics
- Criminal Justice
- Cultural Studies
- Economics
- English
- European and European Union Studies
- Geography
- History
- Latin
- Law
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Political Science and International Relations
- Primary Teacher Education
- Secondary Teacher Education
If you enjoyed Dance at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Anthropology
- Cultural Studies
- Early Childhood Teacher Education
- Health Education
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Music
- Musical Culture
- New Music
- Pacific Studies
- Performance
- Physical Education
- Political Science and International Relations
- Primary Teacher Education
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Sport Coaching
If you enjoyed Digital Technologies and Media Studies at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Applied Immersive Game Design
- Cinema Studies
- Communication Strategy and Practice
- Communications and Network Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Digital Humanities
- English
- Film
- Graphic Design
- Industrial Product Design
- Information Systems
- Innovation
- Journalism
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Media and Communication
- Music
- New Music
- Photography
- Physics
- Political Communication
- Professional and Community Engagement
- Software Engineering
- Statistics
- Strategic Communication
- Strategy and Entrepreneurship
- Tauwhitinga Māori: Māori Communication Strategy and Practice
- Writing
- Youth and Community Leadership
If you enjoyed Drama at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
If you enjoyed Earth and Space Science at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
If you enjoyed Economics, Accounting, and Business Studies at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Accounting
- Business and Sustainability
- Business Economics
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Economics
- Finance
- Financial Engineering
- Human Resource Management
- Information Systems
- Innovation
- International Business
- Law
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Media and Communication
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Political Science and International Relations
- Product Design
- Professional and Community Engagement
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Statistics
- Strategy and Entrepreneurship
- Taxation and Accounting
- Teacher Education
- Tourism Marketing and Management
If you enjoyed English at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Anthropology
- Applied Immersive Game Design
- Cinema Studies
- Classics
- Communication
- Criminal Justice
- Cultural Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Early Childhood Teacher Education
- Education
- English
- English Language
- European and European Union Studies
- History
- Human Resource Management
- Journalism
- Law
- Linguistics
- Management
- Marketing
- Media and Communication
- Musical Culture
- Philosophy
- Political Science and International Relations
- Primary Teacher Education
- Professional and Community Engagement
- Psychology
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Sociology
- Strategic Communication
- Teacher Education
- Tourism Marketing and Management
- Writing
- Youth and Community Leadership
If you enjoyed Geography at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Antarctic Studies
- Biological Sciences
- Data Science
- Economics
- Engineering
- English
- Environmental Science
- Forestry Science
- Geography
- Geology
- Geospatial Science and Technology
- Health Sciences
- Human Services
- Public Health
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Society and Policy
- Sociology
- Spatial Analysis for Public Health
- Teacher Education
If you enjoyed Languages at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Ancient Greek
- Anthropology
- Applied Translation and Interpreting
- Audiology
- Chinese
- Classics
- Cultural Studies
- English
- English Language
- European and European Union Studies
- French
- German
- International Business
- Japanese
- Journalism
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Māori Language and Pedagogies
- Marketing
- Media and Communication
- Musical Culture
- Political Science and International Relations
- Primary Teacher Education
- Psychology
- Russian
- Secondary Teaching Education
- Spanish
- Speech and Language Pathology
- Teacher Education
- Te Reo Māori
If you enjoyed Mathematics at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Accounting
- Applied Immersive Game Design
- Astronomy
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Business and Sustainability
- Business Economics
- Chemical Formulation Design
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Early Childhood Teacher Education
- Economics
- Engineering
- English Language
- Environmental Science
- Finance
- Financial Engineering
- Forestry Science
- Geography
- Geology
- Industrial Product Design
- Information Systems
- Innovation
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Performance Analysis
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Primary Teacher Education
- Psychology
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Strategy and Entrepreneurship
- Taxation and Accounting
- Teacher Education
If you enjoyed Music at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Anthropology
- Cinema Studies
- Communication
- Computer Science
- Cultural Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Early Childhood Teacher Education
- English
- Management
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Marketing
- Media and Communication
- Music
- Musical Culture
- New Music
- Pacific Studies
- Performance
- Primary Teacher Education
- Professional and Community Engagement
- Psychology
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Sociology
- Te Reo Māori
- Teacher Education
- Tourism Marketing and Management
- Youth and Community Leadership
If you enjoyed Physical Education and Health Education at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Adventure Sport and Environment
- Biological Sciences
- Early Childhood Teacher Education
- Education
- Environmental Health
- Geography
- Health Education
- Health Sciences
- Human Services
- Management
- Māori and Indigenous Health
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Performance Analysis
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Primary Teacher Education
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Social Work
- Society and Policy
- Sociology
- Speech and Language Pathology
- Sport Coaching
- Sport Science
- Sports Leadership and Management
- Strength and Conditioning with Nutrition
- Teacher Education
- Youth and Community Leadership
If you enjoyed Physics at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
If you enjoyed Religious Studies at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Anthropology
- Art History and Theory
- Classics
- Criminal Justice
- Cultural Studies
- Early Childhood Teacher Education
- English
- European and European Union Studies
- History
- Human Services
- Law
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science and International Relations
- Primary Teacher Education
- Psychology
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Teacher Education
If you enjoyed Science at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Antarctic Studies
- Applied Immersive Game Design
- Astronomy
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Chemical and Process Engineering
- Chemical Formulation Design
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Digital Humanities
- Early Childhood Teacher Education
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Finance
- Financial Engineering
- Forest Engineering
- Forestry
- Geography
- Geology
- Health Sciences
- Information Systems
- Industrial Product Design
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Natural Resources Engineering
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Primary Teacher Education
- Psychology
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Software Engineering
- Speech and Language Pathology
- Sport Coaching
- Statistics
- Teacher Education
- Water Resource Management
If you enjoyed Social Studies at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Anthropology
- Classics
- Communication
- Criminal Justice
- Cultural Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Economics
- Education
- Geography
- Health Sciences
- History
- Human Resource Management
- Human Services
- Law
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Marketing
- Media and Communication
- Pacific Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science and International Relations
- Primary Teacher Education
- Psychology
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Te Reo Māori
- Teacher Education
If you enjoyed Statistics at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Accounting
- Applied Immersive Game Design
- Astronomy
- Biological Sciences
- Business and Sustainability
- Business Economics
- Chemical Formulation Design
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Digital Humanities
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Environmental Health
- Finance
- Financial Engineering
- Forestry Science
- Geography
- Health Sciences
- Human Resource Management
- Human Services
- Information Systems
- International Business
- Innovation
- Management
- Māori and Indigenous Health
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Performance Analysis
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Product Design
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Society and Policy
- Sport Coaching
- Sport Science
- Statistics
- Strategy and Entrepreneurship
- Teacher Education
- Tourism Marketing and Management
- Youth and Community Leadership
If you enjoyed Sustainability at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Adventure Sport and Environment
- Anthropology
- Biological Sciences
- Business and Sustainability
- Business Economics
- Chemical and Process Engineering
- Cultural Studies
- Economics
- Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Forestry
- Geography
- Global Humanitarian Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Human Resource Management
- Innovation
- Law
- Management
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Natural Resources Engineering
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Political Science and International Relations
- Product Design
- Sociology
- Strategy and Entrepreneurship
- Water Resource Management
- Youth and Community Leadership
If you enjoyed Te Reo Māori and Te Reo Rangatira at school, you might like to study the following subjects at UC:
- Anthropology
- Applied Translation and Interpreting
- Communication
- Criminal Justice
- Cultural Studies
- Early Childhood Teacher Education
- Geography
- History
- Human Resource Management
- Law
- Linguistics
- Management
- Māori and Indigenous Health
- Māori and Indigenous Leadership
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Māori Language and Pedagogies
- Marketing
- Media and Communication
- Music
- Musical Culture
- Pacific Studies
- Political Science and International Relations
- Primary Teacher Education
- Professional and Community Engagement
- Science, Māori and Indigenous Knowledge
- Secondary Teacher Education
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Te Reo Māori
- Teacher Education
- Tauwhitinga Māori: Māori Communication Strategy and Practice
- Youth and Community Leadership
Choosing subjects at school
Once you've identified what you want to study after school, this will help inform your subject selections at school. Before you get to Year 13 it's important to know the school subjects you need to take if you're thinking about studying certain subjects at UC.
Make sure you meet the entry requirements
Some career paths and degrees have recommended pathways from school. Some qualifications and first year undergraduate courses, also known as 100-level, require a particular NCEA, Cambridge International Examinations and A (A2) Levels or International Baccalaureate Diploma achievement.
Check the entry requirements for both the courses and qualifications you are interested in. It is also very important that you take at least four or five UE approved subjects.
Most subjects do not require any specific background from school. For other subjects it may take you longer to complete the degree without the suggested background. For all subjects and qualifications at university, you need to be competent in written and spoken English. Subjects such as English, Classical Studies, History, Geography or Economics can give you those transferable skills.
Preparatory courses
If you don't have a strong background in certain subjects, then courses are available each summer that may help you.
Best preparation by qualification
Discover recommendations for the subjects you should study at school to prepare for your qualification of choice:
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Any Arts subject can be started at first-year university level without previous study, but subjects such as Classical Studies, English, History, Geography or Economics are useful.
In addition for the following majors:
- Economics: Statistics is useful. Calculus is only needed by students who wish to continue to Honours in Economics
- English: English is extremely useful
- Languages: A background is useful, but not essential as beginner courses are available
- Mathematics: Calculus is essential. Statistics is also extremely useful
- Music: Music Studies to NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) is desirable but not essential
- Social Science subjects: Statistics is useful
- Statistics: Calculus is essential. Statistics is 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 level.
- Previous study of Accounting, Economics and Business Studies is useful but not required
- Statistics is recommended for all Commerce subjects
In addition for the following majors:
- Economics: Statistics is useful. Calculus is only needed by students who wish to continue to honours in Economics
- Finance: Calculus is essential. Statistics is strongly recommended
- International Business: A background in a foreign language is useful, but not essential as beginner courses are available
A good standard of oral and written English communication is important for all Commerce subjects.
Bachelor of Communication
- English-rich skills are Highly Recommended
- e.g. Classical Studies, English, Geography, History, History of Art, Media Studies, Religious Studies, etc.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ)
- Any subjects at Year 13 that require you to write, think critically and research are extremely useful as Law requires excellent language skills (Art History, English, Drama, Geography, Economics, Te Reo Māori, Languages, History and Classical Studies)
- No prior knowledge of law is assumed
- As there is a strong social sciences component, Statistics is useful
A good standard of oral and written English is important.
Bachelor of Data Science
- Calculus is required. Statistics and Computing are highly recommended.
Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(Hons))
- Calculus and Physics are essential
- Chemistry is required for some diciplines.
- To be considered for Direct Entry or a Modified Intermediate Year you should be expecting to achieve at the following level:
MATH199 - Advancing in Mathematical Sciences at University of Canterbury (or equivalent courses at another tertiary institution);
And either
- NCEA: You must have achieved at least 20 credits, with at least 15 but ideally 20 with 'excellence' endorsement in each of Physics and Chemistry (for disciplines that require Chemistry*), plus other Level 3 credits to give a total of at least 80 Level 3 credits; OR
- International Baccalaureate: Scores of 7 HL in each of Physics and Chemistry (for disciplines that require Chemistry); OR
- Cambridge International Examination: An A grade in A Level in each of Physics and Chemistry (for disciplines that require Chemistry).
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
- Excellent practical art ability is essential
- Two Practical Art subjects are strongly recommended
- 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 and Statistics are recommended
- Chemistry to Year 12 is useful
A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc)
Biology, Health Education and Statistics are recommended for all Health Science subjects.
In addition for the following majors:
- Environmental Health: A background in Chemistry is required. Geography, Physics and Calculus are useful
- Māori and Indigenous Health: Te Reo Māori is useful
- Public Health: Geography is recommended
A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
A very good standard of oral and written English is important as Law requires excellent language skills.
- Subjects such as Art History, English, Drama, Economics, Te Reo Māori, Languages, History and Classical Studies which give good writing, research and analytical skills are extremely useful
- No prior knowledge of law is assumed
First year courses in the Bachelor of Māori Innovation (BMINN) are introductory and no previous knowledge is required.
Strong communication skills and a passion for te ao Māori will be useful for your studies.
Please note: The BMINN is open to those with work in the iwi sector, which can include organisations owned by Māori, or a dedicated Kaupapa Māori team or unit within an organisation or government.
Bachelor of Music (MusB)
- Music Studies to NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) is desirable but not essential
- Excellent academic skills are a significant advantage for all majors
In addition for the following majors:
- New Music: Music Studies to NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) is essential. Previous experience in the writing of your own music is required to study Notated Composition or Song-writing. Notated Composition requires good musical literacy and notational skills. For other technology-based New Music courses prior knowledge of notation is not essential
- Performance Music: Music Studies to NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) is essential. A strong technique and repertoire in your performance area is essential. A strong theoretical knowledge is a significant advantage.
A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Product Design (BProdDesign)
- At least 14 credits in Level 2 NCEA science and mathematics are strongly recommended.
- Credits in related subjects such as digital technologies, technology or design and visual communication would be an advantage.
In addition for the following major:
- Chemical Formulation Design : Chemistry at Level 3 is essential.
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Astronomy: Physics and Calculus are required. Chemistry and Statistics are useful
- Biochemistry: Chemistry is required. Biology is recommended. Physics, Calculus and Statistics are useful
- Biological Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Statistics are recommended. Physics and Calculus are useful
- Chemistry: Chemistry is required. Biology, Physics, Calculus and Statistics are useful
- Computer Science: Calculus is required. Digital Technologies (especially Programming and Computer Science), Calculus and Statistics are recommended
- Economics: Statistics is useful. Calculus is only needed by students who wish to continue to honours in Economics
- Environmental Science: Chemistry and Calculus are recommended.
- Finance: Calculus is required. Statistics is highly recommended
- Financial Engineering: Calculus is required. Digital Technologies (especially Programming and Computer Science) and Statistics are highly recommended
- Geography: Geography at NCEA Level 2 or 3 (or equivalent) is useful. Any science subject at NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) is also useful
- Geology: Calculus is recommended. Biology, Chemistry, Physical Geography, Physics, and Statistics are also useful
- Mathematics: Calculus is essential. Statistics is also useful
- Physics: Physics and Calculus are essential. Biology and Statistics are useful
- Psychology: Biology and Statistics are useful
- Statistics: Calculus is required. Statistics is highly recommended
A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Anyone from any study background will be able to study the Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability.
Interests in environmental science and sustainability, voluntary work, economics, or social change will be particularly useful to get the most out of study.
Strong communications skills will also be very helpful.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- Any Arts or Social Science subject such as English, Classical Studies, History, Geography or Economics is useful
- Statistics is useful for advanced study
A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours (BSLP(Hons))
- Biology is recommended and Statistics is useful
- Study in another language (eg. Te Reo Māori) is recommended
- A science background to at least NCEA Level 2 (or equivalent) is strongly recommended
A high 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 are very useful
A good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) (BTchLn(EarlyChildhood))
Early Childhood teaching is a full academic degree that requires excellent preparation.
- English, Mathematics and Te Reo Māori are extremely useful
- A wide range of subjects to at least NCEA level 2 are very useful
- Community involvement, people skills and experience with children are very useful
A very good standard of oral and written communication is important.
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) (BTchLn(Primary))
Primary teaching is a full academic degree that requires excellent preparation.
- English and Mathematics are key areas
- A good standard of oral language and personal written communication skills is critical
- Te Reo Māori is extremely useful
- Science to at least NCEA Level 2 (or equivalent) is useful
- Experience with children and/or young adolescents, community involvement and very good people skills are important
Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership (BYCL)
Open to students from a range of interests or experience in leadership roles. No particular background study is required. A passion for:
- Social change
- Community work
- and volunteering
is the best preparation.
More information
It's also a good idea to talk to your school Careers Advisor or a UC Future Student Advisor about how you can best prepare for university study.
