Program Overview

Introduction to the STAR Programme

The STAR programme is designed for secondary school students to study university-level courses while still in school. This programme allows students to gain credits towards a university qualification and experience tertiary-level study.

Eligibility and Application

• To be eligible for the STAR programme, students must be enrolled in a New Zealand secondary school.
• International students studying at a New Zealand secondary school can also enrol in the STAR programme, with the same tuition fees as domestic students.
• Home-schooled students or those who have recently arrived in New Zealand and have not followed the NCEA curriculum should contact the UC STAR Coordinator for advice on enrolling in the STAR programme.

Tuition Fees

• The tuition fee for STAR courses is reduced, with the 2025 fee being $633 per 15 points and the 2026 fee being $671 per 15 points.
• Exceptions include:
  • ECON104 and ECON105, which are paid for by the UC Business School.
  • MATH198, which is a zero-credit, zero-fees course in 2026.
• Textbooks are an additional cost.

Credit and Transfer

• Students receive credit for every STAR course they pass, except for MATH198.
• A maximum of 60 points from STAR courses can be credited towards a UC qualification.
• This credit may also be transferable to another university, but this is at the discretion of the other university.

Study Options and Restrictions

• Students can take a maximum of 60 points of STAR courses (equal to four 15-point courses).
• If a student is younger than 16, the school STAR Coordinator should discuss enrolment with the UC STAR Coordinator to assess the student's readiness for tertiary study.
• Students intending to study Health Sciences at another university should check if taking STAR courses will affect their eligibility.

Services and Support

• STAR students have access to various UC services, including:
  • The Academic Skills Centre for workshops and individual consultations.
  • The Student Accessibility Service for support with disabilities or medical conditions.
  • UC Libraries for borrowing privileges, computer facilities, and study spaces.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy

• Students can withdraw from a STAR course, with a full refund of fees if withdrawn within the first two weeks of lectures.
• After this period, students can still withdraw but will not receive a refund.

University Holidays and Key Dates

• University holidays, semester breaks, examination periods, and grade release dates can be found on the UC Key Dates page.

Grade Release

• Grades are released at the same time as for university students, and the student's school is informed via email.
• If a STAR student did not provide a validated form of identification, their grade will not be released until the verified document is provided.

FAQs and Contact

• For further questions or concerns, students should first contact their school STAR Coordinator or the UC STAR Coordinator.