Academic Programme Overview
Our College will help you prepare for university study in New Zealand. You will experience university-style learning through problem-based learning, group work, presentations, and lecture-style lessons. You will develop important skills including critical thinking, critical reading, academic writing, research skills, time management, and independent learning. Through writing tasks, presentations, problem-solving, and science laboratory work, you will study subject content, improve your academic English, learn to reference sources correctly, and work effectively in teams. This will prepare you to study confidently in English at university.
Our teachers understand the challenges that students face and will provide support when you need it. You will also develop cultural awareness and communication skills that will help you succeed in New Zealand's university environment.
Assessment
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means completing your work honestly and fairly. You must submit your own work and properly cite all sources. You cannot copy from other students, use materials you cannot use during tests, or submit work completed by someone else. Generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, can only be used when your teacher gives specific permission in the assessment brief. Students under 18 must also have written parental permission before using any AI tools. The College provides academic integrity education to help you understand these expectations. For full details, see the Assessment Policy document on Blackboard.
Assessment Types
The College uses two main types of assessments. Formative assessments, like quizzes, help you learn and improve but do not count towards your final grade. Summative assessments count towards your final grade and include tests, essays, reports, presentations, and group projects. All assessments match your learning goals and use clear ways to check your work that are right for the assessment type. For complete information about assessment types, see the Assessment Policy document on Blackboard.
Online and Paper-based Assessments
The assessment format (paper-based or online) depends on your learning mode and cannot be changed within 48 hours of the assessment unless there are confirmed technical problems or emergency situations.
Some students will join online to complete an assessment. They must follow strict rules to ensure fairness and academic integrity. If you are completing an assessment online, you must have two cameras on throughout the entire assessment. Position them so your teacher can see your workspace clearly. You must be in a quiet, private room. You cannot have any forbidden materials, additional devices, or people in your room during the assessment. You cannot leave the room or turn off your cameras.
Students taking paper-based assessments must follow strict rules to ensure fairness and academic integrity. You cannot bring any notes, books, or devices into the testing room. All bags and personal items must be left outside the testing room before you enter. Desks will be separated or dividers will be used to separate students during the assessment. You cannot talk to other students or leave the room during the assessment unless you have permission from your teacher. If you need help, raise your hand quietly and wait for your teacher to come to you.
For complete paper-based assessment procedures, see the Assessment Policy document on Blackboard.
Assessment Result Appeal (link to process and Form)
Students can appeal assessment results if they believe there has been a marking mistake or process error. Appeals must be submitted within 48 hours using the official form with clear evidence. The review process takes 48 hours and decisions are final. Appeals must be based on errors, not grade disagreement. Complete the Assessment Result Appeal Form and submit to learnersuccess@up.education. See the Assessment Policy document on Blackboard for full procedures.
Academic misconduct (link to process and Form)
Academic misconduct includes plagiarism, cheating, collaboration on an assessment with other students, and using AI tools without permission. Students under 18 must have parental permission before using any AI tools. If suspected, you will be interviewed to discuss your work. Penalties range from mark reductions to zero grades depending on severity. All cases are recorded and may be reported to the university you plan to attend. You can appeal any decision within 48 hours. For detailed procedures and appeal forms, see the Assessment Policy document on Blackboard.
Make-up Assessment (link to process and Form)
If you miss an assessment due to illness or emergency, you may be able to get a make-up assessment or assessed grade. You must provide valid documents and apply within 72 hours. Medical certificates must be from a licensed doctor and cover the assessment date. All make-up assessments receive a 10% grade reduction, and you can receive only one assessed grade per course. To apply, complete the form and submit to learnersuccess@up.education with your medial certificate or Principal’s approval to miss the assessment. Full details are in the Assessment Policy document on Blackboard.
Experiments in the laboratory
Students who choose Chemistry and Biology subjects must complete the Science Laboratory Health and Safety Policy (Chemistry & Biology) for Students with their teachers before taking part in any experiments. Students must follow all laboratory safety rules at all times during practical laboratory sessions and follow the instructions provided by staff. If you do not follow these rules, you may be not allowed in laboratory activities, marked as absent, and/or face disciplinary action.
Laboratory Safety Equipment
Students taking Chemistry and Biology courses must wear special safety equipment during all laboratory sessions to protect themselves from dangerous chemicals and materials. You must purchase your own laboratory coat before starting laboratory sessions.
Required Safety Equipment:
- Laboratory Coats: You must wear during all lab sessions. Laboratory coats are cleaned during study breaks after each term. You cannot take your laboratory coat home and it must only leave the laboratory in the laundry bag.
- Gloves: You must wear nitrile gloves when handling dangerous chemicals. These gloves protect against most chemicals but cannot protect you from sharp objects or very hot or cold items. Special leather or heat-safe gloves are provided when you need to handle hot or cold materials.
- Eye Protection: You must wear safety glasses or face shields to protect your eyes from splashes or sprays, especially when working with dangerous or toxic substances. If you wear contact lenses, eye protection is required at all times in the laboratory.
- Shoes: You must wear closed shoes that completely cover your feet to protect against spills. Open-toed shoes, sandals, or any shoes that do not fully cover your feet are not allowed in the laboratory.
Important Safety Rules:
- Do not wear laboratory safety equipment outside the laboratory (such as in hallways or offices).
- Remove all safety equipment and wash your hands before leaving the laboratory.
- If you think you need additional safety equipment for any work, tell the Laboratory Manager immediately.
Following these safety rules protects you and other students. Breaking safety rules may result in disciplinary action and being banned from laboratory activities. For complete laboratory safety procedures, see the UPICNZ Lab Manual in the Appendix.
Laboratory Safety Rules
Students taking Chemistry and Biology courses must follow all safety rules during laboratory sessions. Breaking these rules may result in you being banned from the laboratory and marked as absent from the lesson.
Before Starting Laboratory Work:
- Always follow your teacher's instructions carefully before, during, and after any experiment.
- Tell your teacher about any medical conditions (such as asthma, allergies, or epilepsy) that could be affected by laboratory work.
- Learn where the eyewash station and emergency shower are located and how to use them correctly.
- Put all personal belongings in the lockers provided. · Wash your hands completely before beginning any laboratory work.
During Laboratory Work:
- Wear PPE throughout all experiments.
- Tie back long hair and secure or avoid loose clothing or accessories.
- No eating, drinking, or chewing gum in the laboratory.
- Clearly label all containers and materials.
- Never take chemicals or equipment out of the laboratory.
- Handle all sharp objects, such as scalpels and glassware, with care.
- No headphones, AirPods, or similar devices that may stop you from hearing safety warnings.
When Problems Happen:
- Tell your teacher immediately if an object is broken and may create danger
- Follow your teacher's instructions to throw away broken sharp objects (such as scalpel blades or broken glass) in the special yellow disposal bin
- Report all incidents immediately to your teacher, including near misses, accidents, injuries, and safety concerns
- Report any damaged equipment to your teacher immediately - do not try to fix it yourself
After Completing Experiments:
- Throw away gloves properly
- Wash hands before leaving the laboratory
Learning platforms
The College uses two main digital platforms to support your learning and assessment:
Education Perfect
Education Perfect is an online learning platform that helps you practice and demonstrate your knowledge. We use Education Perfect for online tests and quizzes that count towards your final grades, independent study tasks that you can complete at your own pace, and practice activities to help you prepare for assessments. The platform tracks your progress and provides immediate feedback on your work. Your teachers can see how you are performing and provide additional support when needed.
Nearpod
Nearpod is an interactive teaching tool that makes lessons more engaging and helps you participate actively in your learning. We use Nearpod during classroom lessons for interactive activities such as polls, quizzes, and collaborative exercises. You will also receive flexible learning activities through Nearpod that you can complete outside of class time to review lessons or prepare for upcoming topics. The platform allows you to join lessons from your own device and participate in real-time activities with your classmates.
PlayPosit
PlayPosit is an interactive video platform that helps you learn through engaging video content. We use PlayPosit for Flexible Learning Activities that that count towards your final grades. You will complete these tasks outside of class time. They include interactive videos with questions, polls, and discussions that help you understand course material better. PlayPosit allows you to learn at your own pace while ensuring you stay engaged with the content through built-in activities and assessments.
Using These Platforms:
- You will receive login details and training on how to use all platforms before you use them.
- All platforms can be accessed from computers and tablets. Mobile phones cannot be used for Education Perfect.
- Make sure you have a reliable internet connection when using these tools.
- These platforms are part of your learning experience, so regular participation is expected.
- Contact the Learner Success Team (learnersuccess@up.education) if you experience technical problems with any platform.
For technical support and detailed user guides, visit the IT Support section on Blackboard.
Gen AI
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Learning and Assessments
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Translate, and Grammarly can help with learning, but they must be used correctly and honestly. The College has clear rules about when and how you can use these tools in your assessments.
Three Types of AI Use in Assessments:
AI-restricted Assessments
For these assessments, you cannot use any AI tools. All work must be your own original effort. This includes tools like ChatGPT, Google Translate, Grammarly, or any other AI assistance. Using AI tools in AI-restricted assessments is considered academic misconduct and will result in penalties. Your assessment brief will clearly state "AI tools are not permitted for this assessment."
AI-limited Assessments
For these assessments, you can only use AI tools if your teacher gives you specific permission first. You must ask your teacher before using any AI tools and follow exactly what they allow you to do. You must tell your teacher about any AI help you receive and complete an AI Use Declaration Form with your submission. Students under 18 must also have parental permission before using any AI tools.
AI-encouraged Assessments
For these assessments, you are expected to use AI tools as part of your learning. However, you must cite all AI tools you use according to College guidelines and demonstrate that you understand the work when asked by your teacher. You are responsible for making sure your final work is accurate, even if AI helped you create it.
Important Rules for All Students:
- Check every assessment brief carefully - it will tell you which type of AI use applies
- When in doubt, ask your teacher before using any AI tools
- Always be honest about AI use - hiding it is academic misconduct
- Remember that you are responsible for the accuracy of your final work
- Students under 18 need parental permission before using AI tools in any assessment
The College will teach you how to use AI tools correctly and ethically. This includes understanding when AI information might be wrong, how to cite AI assistance properly, and how to use AI to help your learning without replacing your own thinking.
For complete AI use policies and procedures, see the Assessment Policy document on Blackboard.
Extension and re-enrolment
It is important that all students actively engage in their studies and make every effort to meet academic requirements. Students are expected to attend classes, participate fully, and complete all assessments to the best of their ability.
Students who do not complete their programme or fail to meet the University’s entry requirements by the end date of their studies may be required to undertake an extension of study. This means continuing to study beyond the original programme end date to complete outstanding courses or meet the required academic standards. Additional fees will apply.
In addition, if a student’s performance is deemed unsatisfactory or not progressing halfway through their programme, the Academic Team may require the student to restart their programme (re-enrol) in order to have a fair opportunity to achieve the necessary outcomes for progression.
All decisions regarding extensions or re-enrolment will be formally communicated to students in writing. Academic advice and support services will be made available to assist students in improving their performance and achieving their study goals.
- Extension: estimated duration is 1 term.
- Re-enrolment: estimated duration is 4 terms.
Please note: the duration and fees are estimated as they are subject to the individual student’s overall performance.