The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand's leading national university. Established in 1883, it is essentially a community within NZ's most populated city, Auckland.

The University spans three campuses and has more than 23,000 undergraduate and 6,000 postgraduate students and 1600 academic staff. It enjoys an excellent international reputation. In 2002 it attracted more than 3000 international students from 73 different countries, particularly from Asia and the Pacific Rim.

Undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes are offered over eight faculties - Architecture Property and Planning; and Fine Arts, Arts; Business and Economic; Engineering; Law; Science; Medicine and Health Sciences; Theology and 60 teaching departments. In addition, there are more than 30 interdisciplinary research clusters in the University, ranging from small units to large institutes.

The University of Auckland is the NZ member of Universities 21, a prestigious consortium of major international research-intensive universities. It is also the NZ member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) which includes the major national universities of the Asia-Pacific Rim countries.

Academic Programmes

Broad-based and flexible general degree programmes are available in Arts, Business and Science. Specialist degrees are available in professional fields (Architecture, Property and Planning, Education, Engineering, Science, Law and Optometry) and the applied Arts and Sciences (Music, Fine Arts and Technology) and Theology. Postgraduate courses in all faculties lead to postgraduate Diploma's and Master's Degrees (by coursework plus dissertation or thesis).

Minimum Proficiency Requirements

All students who have not been instructed in the English language medium are required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. Foundation Studies TOEFL 525 with a TWE of 4.0 or an IELTS (academic) score of 5.0. Undergraduate TOEFL 550 (paper-based) or 220 (computer-based) with a TWE of 4.5 or an IELTS (academic) score of 6.0 with no band score less that 5.5. Postgraduate TOEFL 575 (paper-based) or 233 (computer-based) with a TWE of 4.5 or an IELTS (academic) score of 6.5. Some programmes require a higher score in both IELTS and TOEFL.

Student Services and Facilities

Accommodation and Conference Centre organises accommodation for its students in homestay, halls of residence, self-catering residences and The Railway Campus. The Centre operates a noticeboard advertising flats, houses and private board and coordinates airport pickup.

To ensure our international students achieve success, the University offers comprehensive support: The Clocktower-one-stop information shop for all student enquiries and information needs and the Student Learning Centre - supporting students with a range of learning skills.

Students' Health Service operates a general medical practice on campus. Students pay a $15 consultation fee plus a charge for any medication. Specialist counselling is available to students on issues such as immigration, health and budgeting.

The University has two major complexes for sport and recreation. The Recreation Centre provides facilities for most indoor and sporting and fitness activities, while University Park, a 16 hectare sports complex approximately 12Km from the city campus, has provision for outdoor games as well as extensive social facilities. There are well over 100 student clubs and societies active on campus and ready to welcome new members.

Fees

Airport Pickup: Free
Recommended Living Expenses: $100-$150 pw (excl accommodation)
Accommodation: Students Halls of Residence $160-$200 pw (with three meals); Self-catering residences $104-$250 pw; Homestay $185 pw (with three meals)

Application Closing Dates

10 December of the previous year for the first semester, 31 May for the second semester
Course Commencement Months: Two semesters, beginning in February and July (for some courses

The academic year starts in late February or early March and is divided into two semesters. The second semester begins in mid-July and ends in mid-November. Summer School is taught in a six-week block starting in the first week of January. Most courses are taught over one semester and are examined at the end of the course. Some courses may be taught over two semesters and examined at the end of the academic year. Some courses may commenced at the beginning of the second semester.

To be regarded as a full-time student, you must be enrolled in at least 12 points (six courses) over Semester One and Two, or six points (three courses) in a single semester. An average full-time enrolment consists of 14 points (seven courses) over Semester One and Two. 16 points (eight courses) over Semester One and Two is a heavy workload. You will not be permitted to enrol for more than nine points in any semester, and the maximum enrolment a student is permitted is 20 points in a single year, including four points (two courses) at Summer School. Four points (two courses) is the maximum you can enrol in at Summer School.

Hours of study per week

This varies across Faculties, Degrees and courses. On the balance, most undergraduate courses involve two or three hours of lectures, plus one or more tutorials (discussion groups of 12-20 students with a tutor) or laboratory sessions, per week. Most have some written work or tests during the semester (coursework) and a two or three hour examination at the end of the semester. You should expect to devote at least 10 hours per week to each single semester course you are studying; this includes lecture and other class attendance and personal study time.

Assessment is by coursework (assignments and tests) and in many cases a final written examinations which may be two to three hours.