Transformative programme equips students for success

Photo Caption: UC’s online introductory course Tataktū equips students for success.

Takatū is a transformative, online introductory course at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) designed to be accessible to all students, supporting success from the very beginning of students’ academic journey. 

Pilot results are already showing impact: students who completed Takatū achieved a 6% higher pass rate and a 22% higher grade point average than their matched peers who didn’t complete the course.   

“Takatū reflects our deep commitment to equity and academic success,” says Professor Catherine Moran, UC Tumu Tuarua Akoranga | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic. “The early results from Takatū show what we’ve always known — that well-supported students thrive.

“By offering students a meaningful, flexible way to prepare for university life, regardless of their background or circumstances, we are removing barriers to engagement and setting a strong foundation for learning.

“We are reimagining how the university can adapt to meet students where they are — geographically, culturally, and at different stages of life,” she says. 

Recognising that nearly half of all students are unable to attend in-person orientation events, UC’s Kia Angitu | Student Success team developed a more flexible and accessible solution. Takatū provides access to essential information and guidance even before enrolment. With five student-informed modules, the course builds confidence, fosters connection and ensures all learners arrive at UC feeling prepared and welcomed. 

More than 400 students completed the course in its pilot phase, with early feedback showing clear signs of impact. Students reported greater clarity and confidence entering their first semester, and early academic results reflect that this is translating into success. 

Takatū is part of Kia Angitu, UC’s Student Success Programme, which is designed to create equitable, engaging learning environments and support students through their transition into tertiary study. 

Together with initiatives such as PALS (Peer-Assisted Learning Sessions), ACE (Analytics for Course Engagement), and Te Pātaka (a central hub of student support services), Takatū ensures students aren’t left to navigate university life alone. 

Aidan Van Meer, a second-year student on the Chartered Accounting pathway, is an example of how Kia Angitu initiatives such as PALS help students build confidence and connection. 

Van Meer says the weekly peer learning sessions provide more than just academic support. “It’s not like a typical classroom - it’s more like teamwork,” he says. “We are all in the same boat, just helping each other out. I’ve made real friendships through PALS, and it helped me adjust to university, even with things like essay writing and planning my week.”

Now, as a PALS leader, Van Meer is passionate about giving back. “I love that I can support other students who might be going through similar experiences to mine when I started university. And it’s rewarding for me, too, I’ve developed my own skills and I’m constantly learning. It’s more than just a job.” 

Further developments for Takatū are already underway. These include a mobile app version for improved accessibility, the launch of a new Module Zero in July to support prospective students even before they apply, and ongoing content enhancements - including shorter videos, more interactivity, and culturally responsive design. 

From the outset, UC has prioritised understanding the lived experiences and diverse needs of its learners. The Takatū course was shaped by more than 8,000 student responses, with 14 students from a range of backgrounds featured in a series of short videos to enhance relatability and relevance. 

As Takatū and the wider Kia Angitu programme continue to evolve, UC’s purpose remains the same: to empower all students to start strong and succeed on their own terms.