Lincoln University students outperform their peers in course completion rates

Students at Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University are outperforming their peers around Aotearoa New Zealand in course completion rates, according to the latest Educational Performance Indicators (EPIs) released by the Tertiary Education Committee (TEC).

Measuring the educational performance of New Zealand university students at all academic

levels, the EPIs include course and qualification completion rates and first-year retention rates.

In 2025, 93.8% of Lincoln University students at all levels completed their academic courses, up a further 2.8% on the University’s 2024 overall course completion rate of 91%. This is the highest course completion rate of any university in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Lincoln University also topped the overall retention rate for first-year students for the fourth consecutive year, at 87.6%. These results place Lincoln first in the country for both course completions and first-year retention, underlining the University’s commitment to supporting students to succeed.

Lincoln University demonstrated its renowned support for Māori and Pasifika students through achieving the highest overall course completion rate for Māori, at 90.3%, the highest retention rate for Māori first-year students, at 89.7%, and the highest course completion rate for Māori students at Master’s and PhD level, at 93.1 % — 9.6% higher than the next-highest university.

Pasifika students achieved the second-highest qualification completion rate, the third-highest first-year retention rate, and the second-highest course completion rate.

Lincoln University Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Student Life, Damian Lodge, says the very pleasing EPI results demonstrate the effectiveness of the University’s learner success framework — Manaaki Tauira — which underpins the success, fulfilment and wellbeing of all Lincoln students as they undertake their higher-education journey.

“Our priority at Lincoln University is to provide an enriching, distinctive Aotearoa, end-to-end student experience for all our students within an environment that empowers them to thrive and achieve their goals.

“These results are the product of great collaboration between our academic and professional staff, who work together every day to lift our students up and support them in their studies.

“Since the implementation of Manaaki Tauira, the University has undertaken multiple interventions across the student lifecycle. We have made significant progress in improving participation rates and educational outcomes for all our students, and in particular for our Māori, Pasifika and disabled students.

“Our Disability Action Plan is now fully embedded in our digital platforms and classroom design, and has delivered an accessible and inclusive teaching, learning, research and working environment for all our students and staff.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori, Professor Merata Kawharu, adds: “Our Te Manutaki team provide outstanding culturally based wraparound support for Māori and Pasifika students, including academic mentoring, cultural guidance, wellbeing and proactive outreach services.

“Our course enhancement programme ensures that inclusive design principles are incorporated into all new and redeveloped courses.

“Living our Values staff development workshops also help our staff to incorporate the University’s Māori values into their professional practice.”