Young Scholars Programme FAQs

What courses can I take?  

You can take one or two Stage I university courses. All courses offered are only taught on campus, except MATHS 199, which can also be studied online. Course availability may vary each year.   For updates, please refer to Courses available for the Young Scholars Programme.

At the University of Auckland, Stage I refers to first-year university courses. These are typically identified by a 100-level course code, such as ARTSGEN 104. Most first-year students begin with Stage I courses.  

Can I study remotely?  

Yes, but the only course available for remote study is MATHS 199. To study this course remotely, you will need reliable internet access, a computer, and the ability to work independently.

It’s also recommended to arrange supervised settings for exams at your school. 

What stream should I choose if I want to study MATHS 199, online or in-person?

If you are based outside of Auckland, we recommend that you enrol into the online stream, unless you are happy to travel to the City campus for both the test and final exam. Students in the online stream will sit both their test and final exam at their school.

Auckland-based students should enrol in the in-person stream. Students in the in-person stream can still choose to attend lectures and labs remotely (as they are live-steamed) and/or watch lecture recordings. We encourage you to come to campus at every possible opportunity, to make the most of what our programme has to offer. The test and final exam will be held on the City campus.

Important to note

Please ensure that you consider your location and whether you can sustainably commit to the stream you chose to enrol into. Once the enrolment deadline for the semester has passed (second Friday of semester), you are locked into the stream you've chosen.

In most cases you cannot change the stream you are enrolled into part-way through the semester, unless you have an exceptional circumstance that is approved by the programme. 

Do I need to audition for MUS 120?

Yes. To be considered for MUS 120, you must arrange an audition by emailing the Director of Undergraduate Studies, James Yoo, at james.yoo@auckland.ac.nz.

Auditions typically involve performing two contrasting pieces and may include assessments of technical ability, musicality, and sight-reading. Specific requirements will be provided upon inquiry.

What if I’m interested in other areas of music?

At the School’s discretion, Young Scholars who audition for MUS 120 may be placed in one of the following alternative courses based on their strengths and interests:

• MUS 180 – Creative Practice in Popular Music
  
• MUS 110 – Composition
• MUS 276 – Jazz History

This ensures that students are matched with the course that best suits their musical profile.

How many courses can I do in the Young Scholars Programme?  

You can enrol in up to one course (15 points) per semester.

There are two semesters in one year; you could take up to two courses (30 points) during your time in the Young Scholars programme, one for each semester.

It is recommended to study in Semester One only to avoid conflicts with your final Year 13 assessments and exams.  

Will the courses count toward my university degree?  

Provided the structure of your chosen degree allows it, the courses you complete through the Young Scholars Programme can be credited toward your bachelor’s degree at the University of Auckland.

Some degrees - particularly those with more rspecialised structures - may have limited flexibility for integrating external or elective courses. In such cases, it may be more difficult to credit a Young Scholars course toward your degree requirements.  If you're able to drop in, we recommend coming in to your nearest Student Hub for Course advice and structuring your programme.

Would my YSP application be affected if I took Level 3 subjects in Year 12?

Taking Level 3 subjects during Year 12 will not negatively affect your application for the Young Scholars Programme. To make a fair assessment of your application, we will need to know if you have taken Level 3 subjects.

The University assess your highest level of achievement, so be sure to include all completed and in-progress qualifications (e.g., Level 2 and Level 3 NCEA) in your application. 

So that we can access your results directly from NZQA, please ensure that you include your NSN number.

What do I enter on my application if I have completed Level 2 but haven't received my results? 

If you have finished all your internal and external achievement standards for Level 2, you can select 'complete.' 

If you're still working on any internal or external standards at the time you apply, please select 'in progress'. Once your final results are released, the University will assess them directly from NZQA.

Don't forget to include your National Student Number (NSN) in your application.

When can I expect the outcome of my application?

If you meet the programme requirements and have completed your application before the December deadline, you should expect an outcome before the Christmas break at the earliest.

If your application is successful, you will receive a full offer when your final results are released in mid-January.

Please note that the assessment process can take some time, so we ask for your kind patience while we review your application. For more information, please see Timeframe of receiving an admission offer.

Once you receive your full offer for the Young Scholars Programme, there are a few important steps to take:

1. Accept your offer
2. Enrol into your course
3. Prepare for your studies

Popular classes can fill up quickly, so accepting your offer and enrolling into your course as soon as possible is reccommended.

I'm enrolled now - how do I prepare for my studies?

Semester One courses begin in early March and end in late June. For confirmed dates, please refer to Important dates.

You should think about how to structure your Young Scholars study around your highschool commitments in a standard week.

Allow additional time in your week for readings, assignments, and exam prep. To get an idea of how much time you should dedicate to university-level study, please see Hours of study required per course.

If you need help with course planning, contact your Faculty Academic Coordinators. If you're not sure who your Faculty Academic Coordinator is, refer to Who to contact.

Is there an orientation for Young Scholars?

Yes! Young Scholars will be invited to attend an Orientation session held during the University of Auckland’s Orientation Week (O-Week).

You will receive an invitation to this event after confirming your enrolment. Orientation is a great opportunity to meet other Young Scholars, learn more about university life, and prepare for your studies.  

For more information on O-Week, check out Orientation for new students.

Once I start studying a course under YSP, how will I be assessed?

Assessment typically includes a mix of coursework and a final exam.

Examples of coursework that you may undertake are listed below. Coursework is not done under exam conditions.

• Essays
• Tests
• Practical work completed during the semester

Exams are supervised assessments held at the end of the semester and may vary in format depending on the course. 

What's a lecture?

Once you are enrolled, you may see terms like lecture, tutorial or seminar. To clear up what these terms mean, check out Class types and descriptions.

Attending both lectures and tutorials is important to get the most out of your university experience. 

For questions about the Young Scholars Programme in general or faculty-specific advice related to the Young Scholars Programme, please refer to Who to contact.

General questions about your application or entry requirements

If you have questions about your application or entry requirements, you make an enquiry through our AskAuckland portal. 

Be sure to include the following details:

• That you are wanting to apply for the Young Scholars Programme
• What qualification you are currently studying (e.g.m NCEA, Cambridge)
• Your NSN number or candidate code

Tip: if you already have a registered account with the University, sign in with that account. The team will be better able to assist you as the enquiries you make will be associated with your account. You can also track the progress of your enquiries through the AskAuckland portal.

To help get you started, we've pre-selected the question within the enquiry, but you are free to edit it to fit your question.