WelcomeWelcome from the Vice-Chancellor
HistoryHistory of the University of Tauranga
StudentsStudent life when studying with us
GoivernanceBoard and structure
CoursesIntroduction to the courses offered by Tauranga University
CommerceCourses under the Division of Commerce
HumanitiesCourses under the Division of Humanities
SciencesCourses under the Division of Sciences
Online learningHow does online learning work with Tauranga?
Learning contractsHow learning contracts empower the student
LecturesWhy lectures do not work
SupportSupport available to learn online
About > History
The University of Tauranga opened in January 2018 with an aim of providing free online degree courses (subject to acceptance and admin fees). In 2020 the coronavirus pandemic where many other universities switched to online learning, Tauranga were already there operating this model from the ground up.
Many universities held out hope of resuming at least some on-centre classes and operations but as time went on a growing number of colleges adopted primarily for online or hybrid learning models.
Colleges and students were not prepared for prolonged centres closures. Both face a variety of challenges going forward. Due to smaller coronavirus outbreaks, some institutions have already been forced to close for longer than anticipated. Several universities concluded their autumn terms — or at least their in-person components — by the end of the year. After learning from both the successes and failures of the autumn semester, colleges are starting to feel more confident in their spring plans and methods of containing the virus. Here at Tauranga there is no messing about - we are online and will always be online.
COVID-19 has had a major Impact on colleges and universities with online courses being preferable so Tauranga has stayed with its online-only model and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.