Photo Caption:泭UC student Aidan Van Meer is an example of how Kia Angitu initiatives help students build confidence and connection.
Photo Caption:泭UCs online introductory course Tatakt贖 equips students for success.
啦硃域硃喧贖 is a transformative, online introductory course at Te Whare Wnanga o Waitaha | 厙ぴ勛圖 (UC) designed to be accessible to all students, supporting success from the very beginning of students academic journey.
Pilot results are already showing impact: students who completed 啦硃域硃喧贖 achieved a 6% higher pass rate and a 22% higher grade point average than their matched peers who didnt complete the course.泭 泭
啦硃域硃喧贖 reflects our deep commitment to equity and academic success, says Professor Catherine Moran, UC Tumu Tuarua Akoranga | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic. The early results from 啦硃域硃喧贖 show what weve always known that well-supported students thrive.
By offering students a meaningful, flexible way to prepare for university life, regardless of their background or circumstances, we are removing barriers to engagement and setting a strong foundation for learning.
We are reimagining how the university can adapt to meet students where they are geographically, culturally, and at different stages of life, she says.泭
Recognising that nearly half of all students are unable to attend in-person orientation events, UCs Kia Angitu | Student Success team developed a more flexible and accessible solution. 啦硃域硃喧贖 provides access to essential information and guidance even before enrolment. With five student-informed modules, the course builds confidence, fosters connection and ensures all learners arrive at UC feeling prepared and welcomed.
More than 400 students completed the course in its pilot phase, with early feedback showing clear signs of impact. Students reported greater clarity and confidence entering their first semester, and early academic results reflect that this is translating into success.
啦硃域硃喧贖 is part of Kia Angitu, UCs Student Success Programme, which is designed to create equitable, engaging learning environments and support students through their transition into tertiary study.
Together with initiatives such as PALS (Peer-Assisted Learning Sessions), ACE (Analytics for Course Engagement), and Te Ptaka (a central hub of student support services), 啦硃域硃喧贖 ensures students arent left to navigate university life alone.
Aidan Van Meer, a second-year student on the Chartered Accounting pathway, is an example of how Kia Angitu initiatives such as PALS help students build confidence and connection.
Van Meer says the weekly peer learning sessions provide more than just academic support. Its not like a typical classroom - its more like teamwork, he says. We are all in the same boat, just helping each other out. Ive made real friendships through PALS, and it helped me adjust to university, even with things like essay writing and planning my week.
Now, as a PALS leader, Van Meer is passionate about giving back. I love that I can support other students who might be going through similar experiences to mine when I started university. And its rewarding for me, too, Ive developed my own skills and Im constantly learning. Its more than just a job.
Further developments for 啦硃域硃喧贖 are already underway. These include a mobile app version for improved accessibility, the launch of a new Module Zero in July to support prospective students even before they apply, and ongoing content enhancements - including shorter videos, more interactivity, and culturally responsive design.
From the outset, UC has prioritised understanding the lived experiences and diverse needs of its learners. The 啦硃域硃喧贖 course was shaped by more than 8,000 student responses, with 14 students from a range of backgrounds featured in a series of short videos to enhance relatability and relevance.
As 啦硃域硃喧贖 and the wider Kia Angitu programme continue to evolve, UCs purpose remains the same: to empower all students to start strong and succeed on their own terms.
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