The Universal College of Learning (UCOL) is a New Zealand Government TEI (Polytechnic) located primarily in Palmerston North but has campuses also in Whanganui, Masterton and Levin. Dr Linda Sissons is the current Chief Executive.UCOL was founded in 1892 and was known as the Palmerston North Technical School. In 1971 it became the Palmerston North Technical Institute and in 1983 the Manawatu Polytechnic. At the time it specialised in trade apprenticeship courses, and hobby, art, and craft classes, along with a range of night school programmes in business studies for working adults.
Facilities
There are four campuses
Palmerston North Campus Facilities
TOEFL iBT Testing Centre
Ambitions Training Restaurant
Hair and Beauty Salon
Palmerston North Weightlifting Club
Relationship Based Teachings
UCOL is the first to employ a relationships-based teaching approach in a tertiary education setting. Called Te Atakura, the programme was developed with the support of education consultancy Cognition Education Limited[5] and Emeritus Professor Russell Bishop. It is designed to enhance Māori success, develop high performing teaching teams and provide ongoing support services for learners
Study offerings
Applied science (medical imaging, laboratory science, foundation science)
Automotive and Panel & Paint
Beauty & hairdressing
Exercise & sport science (physical conditioning, sports performance)
In school programmes – part-time study options for high school students seeking to transition into tertiary study whilst attaining NCEA credits.
Study Online (business, adult education, information technology)
Council Awards
Each year UCOL recognises people in the community who have made significant contributions to their local areas and society in general, with the UCOL Council Honours Awards. In 2019 UCOL recognised the contribution of their graduates with their inaugural UCOL Alumni Awards.
