International students

If you want an exceptional international education in a unique and beautiful place, New Zealand is a great choice. Our education system is one of the best in the world, and we offer a great lifestyle full of unique opportunities and experiences.

We have courses from NZQA Level 3 through to Level 6 Diplomas, so our students can gain an education in New Zealand that will help ensure future success. Students are encouraged to develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and will be supported in all aspects of study.

New Zealand is proudly multi-cultural, and we respect and welcome international students. The New Zealand Government’s Code of Practice requires education providers to keep students safe and well during their study, including during their recreational time.

New Zealand really does have it all. A high quality of life, diverse communities, vibrant cities, stunning natural scenery and an unbeatable range of outdoor pursuits, all within a relatively small area. Cities such as Auckland and Wellington offer cultural activities, while those with a passion for the great outdoors will encounter a mind-blowing range of terrains, including glaciers, mountains, rainforest and of course plenty of coastline.

Academic 

Entry requirements are based on what NZQA level you choose to study with us. For Level 3, 4 and 5 courses, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be 18 years of age on day 1 of your course

• Have completed 4 years of secondary school or have equivalent work experience

• For Level 5 courses, you must have an academic score of 5.5 and no band score lower than 5 (or the NZQA equivalent)

• For Level 4 courses, you must have a general or academic score of 5.5 and no band score lower than 5 (or the NZQA equivalent)

• For Level 3 courses, you must have a general or academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 (or the NZQA equivalent). 

For Level 6 programmes you must:

• Have successfully completed a programme at NZQF Level 5 or equivalent

• IELTS of 6 Academic with no band below 5.5 or NZQA equivalent

English Language Proficiency 

You must have passed an NZQA approved internal English test (including NSIA and Campbell Institute) with 5.5 IELTS overall. From 24 October 2015, this is only applicable for students from markets with 80% or over visa approval. For Immigration NZ visa approval rates click here. 

i. IELTS: Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5

ii. TOEFL paper-based test carried out prior to 1 October 2017 with a score of 550

and an essay score of 5.5.

iii. TOEFL internet-based test with a score of 5.5 and no band score lower than 5

iv. Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of

162. No less than 154 in each skill. 

v. OET: Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests

vi. NZCEL: Level 4 General or Employment 

vii. Pearson Test of English (Academic): PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band

score lower than 36.

viii. LanguageCert: B2 Communicator IESOL (LRWS) with HIGH PASS and no less

than Pass in each skill

ix. Trinity ISE: ISE II with no less than merit in any band

For more information click here 

You must have passed an NZQA approved internal English test (including NSIA and Campbell Institute) with 5.5 IELTS overall. From 24 October 2015, this is only applicable for students from markets with 80% or over visa approval. For Immigration NZ visa approval rates click here. 

i. IELTS: Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5

ii. TOEFL paper-based test carried out prior to 1 October 2017 with a score of 550

and an essay score of 5.5.

iii. TOEFL internet-based test with a score of 5.5 and no band score lower than 5

iv. Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of

162. No less than 154 in each skill. 

v. OET: Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests

vi. NZCEL: Level 4 General or Employment 

vii. Pearson Test of English (Academic): PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band

score lower than 36.

viii. LanguageCert: B2 Communicator IESOL (LRWS) with HIGH PASS and no less

than Pass in each skill

ix. Trinity ISE: ISE II with no less than merit in any band

For more information click here 

Course Content

NZST reserves the right to alter a course if deemed necessary and is not liable to any student if contracted services cannot be provided for any reason such as withdrawal of agreement from airlines, political unrest in a country, strikes, price increases from suppliers etc.

There is no refund for any part of the course not provided or undertaken for whatever reason. Certain criteria must be reached before students can go on field trips, work internships and international study tours. Failure to reach these criteria will result in students unable to participate with no refund owing. If students are absent from class a medical certificate is required in order for you to make up the class with another group. Another group will not be possible however, if you are absent when your field trip is on or if you had failed to meet the criteria.

• GST (Government Goods and Services Tax)

• NZQA registration and credit fees

• All tuition, student workbooks, manuals, and resources

• All outside visits, and domestic study tours

• Any bank fees incurred

Course Costs Exclude

• Administration Fee of $300

• Export Education Levy – set at 0.0045% of tuition fees

• Uniform costs of $600

• Diploma Study Tour cost of between $400 & $450

• Personal stationery

• Lost, destroyed or stolen workbooks are charged at $10 per workbook

• Domestic study tours

– Transport to and from the airport/transport station on all study tours

– All meals and drinks

International Student Levy

The New Zealand Government has imposed an international student levy on tuition and course related fees. From 1 January 2019, the levy will be 0.89% of the compulsory tuition fees.

The optional international study tour includes international flights, accommodation, airport transfers, hotel inspections, and possible sightseeing depending on destination. Estimated cost is $1,000 for 3 to 4 days for Australia or a South Pacific Island. This estimate excludes departure taxes, some meals, insurance and possibly domestic fares if flights depart from Auckland. We would recommend you have at least NZD $50 to $100 per day for your expenses. Additional visa costs may apply depending on destination and the passport you hold.

International students must meet the requirements of Immigration New Zealand and must have a valid student visa to study in the country. Immigration New Zealand offers various visas that allow you to go to school, take a course, or do other training. If you want to study for less than three months, students may be able to study with a visitor visa.  A visitor visa may only be used when the period of booked study does not exceed 12 weeks. If the programme of study is longer, students must apply and receive a student visa prior to commencing their study.

A valid student visa will:

• Correctly name the college

• Correctly name the programme/qualification they will study

• Provide the campus location

• The visa will indicate a visa expiry date that is in the future

• Students over 18 years of age do not need to secure accommodation prior to arriving in New Zealand, but it is advisable. Check our Accommodation section for more information about how to find a place to stay in New Zealand.

How to Apply

To obtain a student visa, you have to be enrolled in an approved course at an educational institution that has been accredited to offer that course. You can apply for your visa online with Immigration New Zealand. For students who are already in New Zealand or if you need help, contact Up Education’s International admissions team at international.enquiries@up.education for more information.

Trust Account

When you receive a letter of offer from NZST, you will also receive an invoice for your tuition and course related fees. A receipt will be issued once the payment is completed, which you can then use for your student visa application. Please note that the money received from you will be deposited into a trust account until course commencement, which is a requirement of the Education Act 1989. The money is withdrawn in stages as the course is completed.

If you do not meet your visa requirements, all course fees will be refunded back to you. However, this does not apply to visa application fees, application/administration fees, or accomodation application fees if your accommodation has been booked in advance. Refund decisions are based on what we advise in our Contract of Enrolment. A copy can be found on the last page of the Information and Application Form.

Liquidation

In the unlikely event of NZST going into liquidation or ceasing to be a provider or a signatory to the Code of Practice, the NZST Trust will hold the unused portion of the course for which the student has paid. NZST will actively try to place students with other providers and negotiate a reduced cost for the balance of any study.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy Procedures

If you wish to withdraw after being confirmed on your programme, you must put this in writing and hand it in to the office or send it by post.

The following will be refunded to the students (or the student’s parent/legal guardian) bank account where the funds initially came from.

Programmes with a duration of one term, 3 months or longer:

• Full refund when a request is received 21 working days or more prior to course commencement

• The college will retain up to 25 percent of tuition and course related costs when written notice is received up to 10th working day following course commencement

• No refund will occur when a request is received from the 11th working day following course commencement

Programmes that are less than one term, three months:

• Full refund when a request is received 6 working days or more prior to course commencement

• The college will retain up to 25 percent of tuition and course related costs when written notices is received up to 5th working day following course commencement

• No refund will occur when a request is received from the 6th working day following course commencement

• A student’s accomodation and living expenses funds – the unused balance is refundable without penalty.

Should NZST cease to be a signatory to the Code of Practice or cease to be a provider, for example, go into liquidation, then NZST will:

Refund the amount in question to the student (or the student’s parent or legal guardian) or If directed by the student or the code administrator or the agency responsible for fee protection mechanisms, transfer the amount to another signatory as agreed with the student

Refunds when a student withdraws or cancels their programme of study are only made to the bank account in the country where we first received the students funds from

Please note that there may also be additional insurance and uniform costs if these companies have already been paid at time of withdrawal. If you voluntarily leave or are withdrawn from a programme after the cancellation period, you will be liable for any outstanding fees. Immigration New Zealand will be notified if study is terminated and may impact on academic record and future enrolment. When a student visa is withdrawn, a student must obtain a new visa from Immigration New Zealand within 2 weeks or leave the country.