10 July 2025 Lincoln University's course completion rates highest in NZ for second year running

For the second year running, students studying at Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University have achieved the highest course completion rates across Aotearoa’s eight universities in 2024.

The latest Educational Performance Indicators (EPIs) released by the Tertiary Education Committee (TEC) reveal a course completion rate of 91% for Lincoln University students in 2024, up 0.5% from the 2023 course completion rate of 90.5%.

Measuring the educational performance of New Zealand university students at bachelor’s degree level and above, the EPIs include course and qualification completion rates and first-year retention rates.

Lincoln University’s Level 7 cohort (mainly bachelor’s degrees) achieved the highest course completion rate for the fifth consecutive year, this year reaching an outstanding 94% course completion rate – the sector’s highest by 3.4%.

The first-year retention rate was the highest for the third consecutive year, at 88%.

Lincoln University also achieved the highest course completion rate and first-year retention rate for Māori students, at 92% and 88% respectively, as well as the highest completion rate for Pasifika students, at 82%.

Lincoln University Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Student Life, Damian Lodge, said the very pleasing EPI rankings demonstrate the effectiveness of the University’s learner success programme – named Manaaki Tauira – which underpins the success, fulfilment and wellbeing of all Lincoln students as they undertake their higher-education journey.

“Our goal at Lincoln University is to provide for our students a distinctive, Aotearoa, end-to-end student experience where they are supported and empowered to achieve academic and personal success in an inclusive, enriching and diverse environment.

“Our Manaaki Tauria programme is delivering outstanding results in course completion, first-year retention and participation rates.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori, Professor Merata Kawharu, adds: “Our Te Manutaki team provide outstanding culturally-based wraparound support for Māori and Pasifika students, including academic mentoring, cultural guidance, wellbeing and proactive outreach services.

“Living our Values workshops also help our staff to incorporate our Māori values into their professional practice, and inclusive design principles have been embedded into all our new and redeveloped course material.”

The Lincoln University Disability Action Plan has informed digital platforms and classroom design, with the University’s Inclusive Education team providing ongoing teaching support.

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