International Students in New Zealand

Student Support

There are many highly qualified and experienced staff providing support for all students studying at Victoria.

The Victoria International (VI) Services Team helps with student visas, insurance and general student advice. The VI Visa Officer liaises with Immigration New Zealand to renew student visas.

These include the condition of a working allowance of 20 hours a week, where applicable.  The VI Insurance Officer helps with insurance claims and VI Student Advisors are available to help with any academic or personal concerns. 

In addition to the Victoria International Services there are many university-wide services that students can access.

Student Computing Service provides computer facilities. All students receive free email and storage space, and access to the Student Portal (MyVictoria) and the library’s web-based electronic database. Large suites at all campuses offer access to a range of software, printers, scanners, internet and technical support.

Library facilitie s are extensive. The University has a central library and Faculty-specific ones.

Student Learning Support Service provides free workshops and tuition to help students with essay writing, study skills, mathematics and statistics, presentation skills, and exam techniques. A particularly useful programme for international students is Preparation for Academic Life and Study (PALS), which helps students understand how to study successfully.

The Language Learning Centre supports the teaching and learning of foreign languages and English as a second language. There are multimedia language learning resources and facilities including computers and satellite television in several languages.

Student Healt h Service provides a range of medical services for students, with doctors and nursing staff at Kelburn and Pipitea campuses, and physiotherapy at the Kelburn Campus. After-hours medical care for students is also available off-campus.

Counselling Service is a free, professional and confidential service. It provides counselling on personal or academic issues, relationships or any other aspect of students’ wellbeing.

Anglican and Catholic Chaplains provide care, spiritual input and community activities for students of any faith. There are Muslim prayer rooms at both Kelburn and Pipitea campuses.

Disability Support Service assists students who have a disability, long-term injury, impairment and/or chronic injury. Services include note taking in lectures, special examination needs, specialised equipment, personal support, places to rest and hearing assistance technology.

Most support is free for international students. You may have to pay for some specific support or services, such as Braille books or sign language interpreting.

Facilitation and Disputes Advisory Service provides confidential advice on all complaints and disputes.

Crèche (childcare) facilities are available on campus while you are studying. These are staffed by professional and experienced teachers. Applications for the cre‘che must be made well in advance as places are limited.

Financial Support and Advisory Service provides practical, tailored advice about managing university and personal costs. Its staff assist with scholarship applications, and administer the Student Assistance Scheme which provides emergency financial assistance.

Victoria Careers Service offers job and career coaching. It can help students plan their degrees with a career in mind. After graduation, the Service can advise on how best to approach gaining employment. It provides a Careers Resource Library and offers workshops and seminars throughout the year, as well as personal career counselling.

Stu dent Job Search helps students find parttime employment while studying and full-time employment during summer. It has connections with employers in central and wider Wellington, and provides eligible students with access to many areas of work.

Victoria University Stu dents’ Association funds almost 100 social, sporting and cultural clubs.