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Important information for international students on studying and living in New Zealand
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Your New Zealand study experience is important to us here at New Zealand Educated. Here are some key links for international students on studying and living in New Zealand
Your rights to care and safety
In New Zealand all education providers and their agents must provide international students with a high standard of care while they live and study here. The standards of care are set out by the New Zealand Government in a document called the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (or the Code of Practice). You can get a summary or full version of the Code of Practice in multiple languages from the Ministry of Education website. These documents tell you what level of care you can expect from your education provider and what you can do if you have a complaint against your provider and/or agent. Your provider should also give you a copy of these when you enrol.
Withdrawal and refund of fees
All education providers in New Zealand that enrol international students are required to have policies and procedures in place for student withdrawals and refunds. You should receive this information from your provider when you enrol. The New Zealand Government also specifies the rules for refunds for students enrolled at private training establishments. You can find details on these government regulations on the New Zealand Qualification Authority’s Study in New Zealand website. You can also find information about what to do and who to contact in case your education provider’s course closes here.
Education provider quality
If you have any concerns about the quality of education you are receiving while studying here, the first thing you should do is talk to a staff member at your education provider and follow their advice on how to make a complaint. If your complaint is still not resolved then you can contact an independent organisation for help. If you (or your child) are at:
• A university, polytechnic or college of education - contact the Office of the Ombudsmen.
• A private training establishment or language school - contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) – phone 0800 697 296.
• A primary or secondary school - contact the school’s Board of Trustees or the New Zealand Education Review Office (ERO) – phone 04 499 2489
Reports on the quality of providers
The quality assurance of education providers in New Zealand is monitored by a number of organisations. These organisations and the types of education providers that they review are:.
• Universities - the Committee on University Academic Programmes and the New Zealand Universities Academic Audit Unit
• Tertiary education organisations (other than universities) – the NZQA
• Primary and secondary schools – ERO
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