U-Skills
Discover your future while still at school with UCOL!
Under the U-Skills banner, we offer exciting in-school study opportunities for students enrolled in a New Zealand secondary school.
This is your chance to find your passion and gain industry knowledge and experience - all with the support of UCOL’s expert team.
Choose from our range of options from short STAR courses for a quick taste of different careers, to one and two day a week Academy programmes through U-Skills Central Schools Academy, or Tertiary Pathways to achieve a New Zealand certificate qualification.
Check out what’s on offer below and start shaping your future today!
U-Skills STAR
STAR courses are short programmes designed for year 11 - 13 high school students to help them explore their career options. Study at UCOL while gaining NCEA credits and industry knowledge and experience while at school. Courses are one day per week for five or six weeks.
U-Skills STAR Courses
Course dependent.
Course dependent.
Begin the transition to tertiary study while still in school with UCOL’s STAR courses.
U-Skills Academy 1 Day
Academy programmes are designed for year 11 - 13 high school students to guide them through a vocational pathway. Study at UCOL while at school and earn NCEA credits - one day per week over three terms.
U-Skills Academy 1 Day Programmes
Academy provides secondary school learners the opportunity to attend the UCOL one day per week developing industry relevant skills.
U-Skills Academy New Zealand Police Pathway
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton
33 weeks
Starting: Week of 09 Feb 2026
Finishing: Week ending 25 Sep 2026
Delivery days:
Palmerston North - Mondays
Whanganui - Tuesdays
Masterton - Mondays
Are you interested in serving the community? The UCOL Academy New Zealand Police Pathway will provide you with knowledge about police and policing in New Zealand.
U-Skills Academy Defence Pathways
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North and Otaki
33 weeks
Starting: Week of 09 Feb 2026
Finishing: Week ending 25 Sep 2026
Delivery days:
Palmerston North - Fridays
Otaki - Thursdays
Are you considering a career in the New Zealand Defence Force? U-Skills Defence Pathways will provide you the knowledge, skills and confidence to explore the many options available and how to get there.
U-Skills Academy 2 Day
Dual Pathway programmes are designed for year 12 - 13 high school students seeking to gain an industry related qualification while studying NCEA Level2/3. Study at UCOL while at school and earn NCEA credits and a NZQF qualification - two days per week starting in term one.
U-Skills Academy 2 Day Programmes
Programme dependent.
Academy 2 Day gives you the chance to develop core industry knowledge while working towards NCEA Level 2/3.
U-Skills Tertiary Pathways
U-Skills Tertiary Pathways are designed for students who have identified their career pathway and are ready to transition from school to tertiary study. You have the chance to gain a tertiary qualification and, in some cases, start your apprenticeship while still at school. You will be dual-enrolled at your school and UCOL, spending up to five days a week at UCOL as you work towards a New Zealand Certificate in a particular career pathway.
U-Skills Tertiary Pathway Programmes
UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton
Usually three days a week at UCOL (can be up to five in some cases).
Check the individual programme page for start dates.
Gain a free tertiary qualification while at school and/or start an apprenticeship with the UCOL U-Skills Tertiary Pathways programme.