Admission and Enrolment Experience Policy

All applicants, staff members and students of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland (the University).

The policy applies to admission and enrolment activities related to formal study at all levels except for doctoral study, and across all faculties and large-scale research institutes.

The policy applies immediately to all new programmes and courses. For existing programmes and courses, the policy will apply on a date to be determined by the Vice-Chancellor in writing.

Note - The policy will remain in place pending the development of an overarching Admissions Policy and Timetable and Enrolment Policy.

To set out the policy governing admission and enrolment processes at the University to ensure the delivery of an effective, efficient, equitable, transparent and consistent admission and enrolment experience for applicants and students.

The Policy is supported by the Admission and Enrolment Experience Procedures.

Taumata Teitei sets out the University’s commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its duty to encourage accessible, equitable lifelong higher education opportunities. The University is also committed to achieving mana-enhancing services and practices.

The admission process is designed to admit applicants with the potential to successfully complete their studies. It should facilitate the admission of a diverse range of applicants in line with the responsibility outlined in Te Ara Tautika|Equity Policy to enable all members of the University community and those seeking to join it to experience equitable access, participation and success. The Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes Policy and Procedures reflect the University’s commitment to encourage access and participation by Māori and other under-represented groups.

Enrolment is the means by which students are able to enrol into and participate in the courses required for the completion of their qualification.

The University is committed to providing a high-quality experience to all applicants and students through transparency and consistency of decision making throughout the admission and enrolment process, as well as the provision of timely decisions and responses.

The policy is also aligned with Whakamana Tangata and its aspiration to “provide a transformative and inspirational student services experience which encourages a lifelong connection with the University of Auckland.”

Design, approval and dissemination of entry requirements

1. Programme admission regulations and programme selection criteria must be clear, accessible, consistently applied, and set at the appropriate level to enable students to successfully complete their programme.
2. Programme and course requirements, programme and course selection criteria and associated processes must be clear to applicants, ensure minimal variation and directly inform decision making.
3. Admission regulations, programme and course selection criteria, and associated processes must support logical and seamless admission and enrolment processes and minimise the need for additional permissions, or approval.
4. Course pre-requisites must be specific, justified and related to academic preparedness.

Widening access

5. The University aims to increase the diversity of its student population and seeks to attract a wide range of applicants. In developing entry requirements consideration must be given to identifying, monitoring, reporting on, and where reasonable removing potential barriers to equitable access, participation and success.
6. Admission regulations and programme selection criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes must, where considered appropriate and in line with all other legislative and regulatory requirements, enable recognition of a range of prior learning and experience and facilitate the admission of applicants who may not have formal qualifications or whose formal qualifications on their own do not meet the published admissions criteria.

Progression

7. Programme regulations and programme selection criteria must, where appropriate, support and facilitate the progression and success of students from foundation study to undergraduate degree study and onto postgraduate study, and the admission of students transferring from other institutions.

Efficient decision-making

8. Decisions about admission to programmes and courses must be made and communicated to applicants and/or students in an appropriate and timely manner.

The following definitions apply to this document:

Admission is the process whereby an applicant applies for admission to the University and a qualification and receives a decision (offer, conditional offer, decline). For the purposes of this policy it excludes admission to doctoral programmes.
Admission regulations are the University’s Admission Regulations and the admission regulations of individual programme regulations published in the University Calendar.
Applicant means a person who has applied for admission to a University programme.
Course is a basic component of all academic programmes.
Course selection criteria is the additional basis on which eligible students will be selected for enrolment in a course that is approved under the Limitation of Entry Statute.
Enrolment is the process whereby a student, having accepted an offer of admission to a programme, selects and gains entry to individual courses and classes.
Formal study includes University of Auckland qualifications, micro-credentials and courses that can be credited to University of Auckland qualifications including courses that can be completed as Certificates of Proficiency. It excludes short courses that are not-for-credit.
Plan means a formal and recognised sub-set of courses within a programme, including a major, minor or specialisation.
Prerequisite is a requirement that must be met (usually a course or number of points) before a student can enrol in a course or programme.
Prior learning and experience could include community/work experience or study undertaken at other institutions at various levels.
Programme means a prescribed set of courses undertaken towards a qualification and the requirements a student must comply with to be awarded the qualification.
Programme and course requirements include all requirements which impact application, entry or enrolment not otherwise contained in admission regulations or programme or course selection criteria. This may include requirements set up in the student management system as enrolment controls.
Qualification means a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Programme selection criteria is the additional basis on which eligible applicants will be assessed for admission that is approved under the Limitation of Entry Statute and pertain to individual programmes, including those undergraduate degrees that do not have programme specific admission regulations in the University Calendar.
Staff members are individuals employed by the University or its subsidiaries on a full or part-time basis.
Student means all students enrolled at the University in foundation, undergraduate and sub-doctoral postgraduate programmes and students in programmes delivered by partner organisations. For the purposes of this policy it excludes doctoral students.
University means Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland and includes all subsidiaries.

• Limitation of Entry Statute
• Taumata Teitei | Vision 2030 and Strategic Plan 2025 
• Te Ara Tautika The Equity Policy
• Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme Policy and Guidelines
• University of Auckland Calendar Admission Regulations, Enrolment and Programme Regulations 
• Whakamana Tangata – Student Services Strategy

Owner: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education)
Content manager: Associate Director - Academic Services, Associate Director - Student Services
Approved by: Council
Date approved: 12 June 2024 
Review date: 12 June 2029