TFC at Tai Tokerau Campus
The Tertiary Foundation Certificate (TFC) programme in Whangārei offers you a pathway to degree studies. Through this free one-year preparation programme, you’ll have the opportunity to build your confidence and skills to succeed in your future degree at the University.
What do I gain from TFC?
TFC is a University Entrance (UE) equivalent qualification and an alternative method to meet Rank Score requirements. Completing TFC at Tai Tokerau with the required subjects and grades offers guaranteed entry to a wide range of undergraduate degrees in the faculties of Arts, Education, Commerce and Law. If you’re on track to meet requirements, you’ll get early offers for your 2026 degree. You can also apply for exclusive scholarships for TFC graduates, funding courses and accommodation for your degree at UoA.
Who is the programme for?
If you aspire to study at the University and want to build your knowledge, skills and confidence to reach your academic potential, then TFC is for you. Some of our students left school without UE or the required rank score for their degree. Others chose TFC to change their study or career path, or to try out something new. Whatever your reason, have a chat with us and we can help you figure out your best path forward. Please note, TFC is only available for New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. You also need to have finished Year 13 (or be the equivalent age or older if you left school earlier) to apply for TFC.
Where and when do TFC classes happen?
The programme runs at the University of Auckland’s Whangārei campus from 3 March to 17 November 2025, with a break from 30 June to 20 July. The sessions run in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with online classes on Mondays. All classes are between 10am and 4pm, and attendance is compulsory. We’ll also host you at our Auckland City Campus for wānanga and student experience days each semester.
Is TFC a free programme?
Yes! TFC courses have ZERO fees in 2025 and you’ll retain your full FeesFree eligibility for degree-level studies. Eligible TFC students will be able to apply for student allowance and/or living costs support through StudyLink or WINZ.
What scholarships are available for degree-level studies after TFC?
As a TFC student, you’ll have special access to scholarships and awards for foundation alumni, including:
What TFC courses will be offered at the Northland campus in 2025?
The Tertiary Foundation Certificate is full time over two semesters. Eight courses must be taken and passed to obtain the TFC; courses are completely free to enrol in.
In 2025, you will study:
TFCENG 90F and TFCENG 91F: Core Literacy Courses (Semesters One and Two)
The two academic literacy courses will help you develop your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. These skills will be applied to critically examine social and political topics and study a range of texts, supporting you to excel in your future degree studies.
TFCMATHS 90F and TFCMATHS 91F: Core Numeracy Courses (Semesters One and Two)
The two core maths courses will build your confidence working with fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, and algebra. You’ll learn these skills through problem solving and investigation in contexts such as financial literacy and real-life mathematics.
TFCEDUC 90F: Computing (Semester One)
You’ll learn computer literacy skills in advanced word processing, spreadsheets (including some statistics), presentation software, collaboration, and use of AI in the tertiary education context. We also explore computer science topics like the history of computing, binary and hexadecimal numbers, and coding.
TFCSOCIO 91F: Sociology (Semester One)
You’ll explore key concepts in Sociology, enabling you to think sociologically about social structures (such as class, race/ethnicity, gender and sexuality), social institutions (such as the state) as well as interactions between people produce and sustain various forms of inequality.
TFCMĀORI 91F: Te Pū (Semester Two)
You’ll learn foundational te reo Māori, including everyday vocabulary and structures and formal introductions. Aspects of tikanga will include meeting and greeting others with mihi, karakia, waiata and hīmene, and understanding values such as whānau, whakawhanaungatanga and aroha.
You will also choose one of the following options in Semester Two:
TFCBUS 92F: Business (Semester Two)
You’ll gain an understanding of the role of business in a rapidly changing national and international context. The course focuses on factors impacting success for future graduates, building business literacy and key skills and abilities to manage self, teams, organisations, industries, society and the nation.
TFCEDUC 92F: Human Development (Semester Two)
You’ll learn about psychological theories and systems of learning, such as social cognitive theory, cognitive apprenticeship, and behaviourism, building a basis for in-depth learning about frameworks for education and society. Much of the course is about cognitive learning science in general.
How do I apply?
To find out more, please visit Tertiary Foundation Certificate and Application process.