22 June 2009 Opening up the pathway to a university qualification

It's called the "CUP" Programme and it could suit you to a "T' if you've always had it in the back of your mind to one day try some university study, but been worried about a lack of proper preparation.

"CUP" stands for Certificate in University Preparation and that's what it means," says the Director of Lincoln University's Foundation Studies and English Language Centre, Derek Chapman.

"The programme prepares you for university study in a supportive and non-threatening way, working in small classes alongside people with similar ambitions as yourself. It's designed to ensure that you can succeed at undergraduate level."

"The CUP programme runs over 12 weeks, you study four courses - one of them compulsory (Integrative Study Skills) and three chosen from a list of seven others."

Candidates must pass the programme as a whole with a set aggregate of marks, and once they have done that they are eligible for full admission to any one of Lincoln University's undergraduate programmes, and there's a wide choice of internationally recognised qualifications to choose from, such as in commerce, social science, agriculture, landscape architecture, viticulture and wine science, environmental management, and sport and recreation management.

There are three entry times for Lincoln University's CUP programme - February, July and November and applications are open now for the July intake.

"Whether it's related to the global recession or some other factor, we seem to be getting a lot of interest from mature candidates at the moment, adults who are keen to get a formal qualification, probably to help 'future proof their careers or to change direction completely and pursue a new career.

"The CUP programme has a lot to offer these candidates," says Derek. "And equally, at the other end of the scale, the programme is ideal for younger ones, over the age of 18, who have left school without sufficient credits for entry to higher education. If they meet the entry requirements they too can come into the CUP programme and work their ways towards admission to undergraduate study."

"It's no exaggeration to say they we have seen the CUP programme change lives, and for anyone working in the education field that's as exciting as it is for the people whose lives are changed."

For further information about Lincoln University's CUP programme contact the Foundation Studies and English language Centre, Lincoln University, telephone (03) 3252811 ext 7689 or email foundation@lincoln.ac.nz