This is a course run by the University for those wanting to brush up on their physics for HSFY, with a focus on the content that will be covered in PHSI191. It is a 3 week long, intensive full-time course in Dunedin before the start of Semester 1.
Eligibility:If you have already studied physics at high school, such as:
- 14 credits and higher in NCEA Level 2 physics or general science
- A pass in Sixth Form Certificate physics or science
- A pass in an equivalent course, such as Cambridge International AS level Physics
then approval from the Head of Department is required.
There are no prerequisites for this course (you don't need to have studied physics before).
Cost:- $990 for domestic students and $1570 for international students.
Pros:- Official uni physics preparation course
- Good reviews from people that have taken the course
- Taught in-person face-to-face
Cons:- You are not able to take any other Otago Summer School papers such as CHEM150 (an option for those that want to work on their chemistry prior to HSFY)
- You cannot start any earlier than 3 weeks prior to Semester 1
- Must be in Dunedin for the duration of the course (no online option)
Who is the ideal student for Otago Jumpstart Physics? I think the ideal student for this course is someone who just needs to work on physics before HSFY, and is already confident with chemistry and other subjects. If you also need to work on chemistry and you want to do it through Otago Uni during Summer School, then you need to choose between CHEM150 and Jumpstart physics, you can't do both.
Link to
Jumpstart Physics webpageOtago Uni offers a year-long (two semesters) certificate studying the foundations necessary for HSFY including physics, chemistry, biology, maths and English.
Eligibility:For domestic students, you must have a minimum of NCEA Level 2. If you do not meet the minimum academic requirement, you may want to do the Bridging programme.
Cost:
- $5,703 for domestic students and $30,510 for international students
Pros:- Official uni HSFY preparation certificate
- Most comprehensive option covering all the subjects necessary for HSFY
Cons:
- Requires one full additional year at university prior to starting HSFY
- Expensive
- Must be in Dunedin (no online option)
Who is the ideal student for University of Otago's Health Science Foundation Studies?
I think the ideal student for this course is someone that wants to get a solid foundation in all the subjects and is willing to spend the money and time of one additional year at university. If you only need to brush up on one or two subjects, then this may be unnecessary and other options may be more suitable.
Link to
Foundation Studies Certificate webpage
Te Kura is New Zealand's official correspondence school offering you the chance to study NCEA subjects that you didn't do when you were at high school. This is the option I used to prepare for HSFY, as I left school at the age of 16 with zero NCEA credits (read more
here). When I decided I wanted to become a doctor, I signed up to Te Kura Correspondence School as a 21 year old adult student. I studied NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 physics, chemistry, biology and maths over 2 years while continuing to work full-time at Pak n Save in Rotorua.
From their
About Us webpage:
"Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) is New Zealand’s state distance education provider, offering a wide range of programmes from early childhood through to NCEA Level 3... The purpose of adult enrolment in secondary schooling at Te Kura is to provide foundation skills or “second chance” education. That is, individuals are afforded the opportunity to gain NCEA qualifications that they did not gain when they first attended secondary school as a regular student."
Eligibility:Students may be enrolled with Te Kura as an adult student, or as a young adult student, where they are: a domestic student; and resident in New Zealand. Adults and young adults who meet the criteria specified within the relevant gateway may self-refer for enrolment. See here for more information
Who can enrol? Cost:- Administration fee of $116 per subject per year
Pros:- Can study NCEA physics as well as other subjects like chemistry, biology and calculus
- Can study from anywhere in NZ
- Can continue to work full-time while preparing
- The cheapest option here
Cons:- Relatively long timeline, 1 year to do each level of NCEA
- NCEA physics covers less than half of PHSI191 content and also covers content that isn't relevant to PHSI191
- Less support than other options - while there are teachers at the school that can be contacted, you are mostly left to learn things on your own from the exercise books and online resources they provide
Who is the ideal student for Te Kura Correspondence School?Someone that is highly motivated to learn without needing too much support, wants a low-cost option and is willing to prepare over a more extended period of time (1-2 years)
Private tutoring - Private tutoring specifically for PHSI191, or even physics in general, is likely to be very helpful. Rates usually start at $40/hour for university students and will be higher for more experienced tutors. The quality of tutors can vary widely. It would be preferable to get tutoring from someone that has done the paper and is knowledgeable about the content covered in the exam, as well as having gotten at least 95% in the paper themselves.
