Whitecliffe Pre-Degree Pathway

This 12-month Pre-Degree Pathway equips you with the skills and confidence to succeed in higher education, offering pathways into undergraduate degrees in Fine Arts, Applied Information Technology, Fashion Design, and Digital Media and Design.

About the pathway:

Duration: Full time, 12 months 

Next start date:  

2025 Semester One – February  

2026 Semester One – February 

Available locations: Auckland City, Manukau 

Pathway overview: 

The Pre-Degree Pathway is a one-year pathway that prepares you for undergraduate studies while helping you meet entry requirements for degree level programmes. If you are aiming to study at Whitecliffe College and want to build your knowledge, skills, and confidence to meet your creative potential – then the pre-Degree Pathway is ideal for you.

You’ll have the opportunity to experience campus life, with access to all facilities, services, and student clubs. Depending on your subjects and grades, completing the pathway offers a guaranteed path to all our undergraduate degrees.

The Pre-Degree Pathway is particularly focused on supporting students from under-represented groups in higher education.

Pathway structure:  

To successfully complete the Pre-Degree Pathway, you’ll need to pass two 60-credit certificates.

In 2025, you’ll study two 60-credit certificate programmes. You can choose from the following options:

Further study options:  

• Bachelor of Design and Digital Media
• Bachelor of Fine Art (Only available at Symonds St campus)
  

Sample pathway structure: Fashion and Design pathway 

Further study options:  

• Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design
• Bachelor of Design and Digital Media

Where could this Pre-Degree Pathway take you?

When you successfully complete the Pre-Degree Pathway, you’ll have two nationally recognised certificates. Depending on your subjects and grades, completing the pathway offers a guaranteed path to all our undergraduate degrees.

Further study options: 

• Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design
• Bachelor of Design and Digital Media
• Bachelor of Fine Art (Only available at Symonds St campus)
• Bachelor of Applied Information Technology

Student careers development service: 

Once you become a student at Whitecliffe, you can get help with planning and developing your career from our Careers Development Specialist.

Entry requirements: 

• Turn 17 in your first year of study 

• Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident 

We welcome applications from students of a mature age or with no formal educational background.  

Fees and scholarships: 

1. StudyLink Fees Free: Eligible students can apply for StudyLink Fees Free for the first certificate they enrol in (subject to eligibility criteria).
2. Whitecliffe Fee Scholarship for Semester Two: Whitecliffe offers a full fee scholarship from Whitecliffe for the second certificate, making it more affordable to explore two creative disciplines.
3. Bachelor’s Degree Fee Scholarship: If you progress to a Bachelor’s degree, Whitecliffe will offer a  6-month fee scholarship for the first year of study, helping to ease the transition into higher education.

Start Your Creative Journey Today

Whether you’re passionate about fashion, digital media, fine arts, or technology, Whitecliffe Pre-Degree Pathway gives you the time, flexibility, and support to explore your options and build a strong foundation for a successful creative career.

Applications for 2025 are now open.

Apply today and take the first step towards an exciting future in the creative industries!