Living & studying in Auckland, New Zealand – a Great Place to EXPLORE

New Zealand has a population of approximately 4.2 million people spread across two main islands in a geographical size similar to Japan, California or Great Britain. The main population is European with indigenous Maori making up around 15% of the population. The language of instruction in New Zealand is English and there are many ways to learn about Maori ‘tikanga’ (culture) as well.

Studying in New Zealand is ideal because of its:

  • English speaking western – style democracy
  • British-based, world class education system
  • Warm and welcoming environment
  • High quality living conditions
  • Value for money
  • High quality education leading to positive outcomes
  • Inspiring, clean & green countryside
  • Safe environment
  • Wide variety of cultural, recreational and sporting activities
  • Recognition as a high quality international tourist destination
  • Vibrant restaurants and café culture
  • Exciting night life
  • Secular-based society

Auckland City – a Great Place to STUDY

Auckland City is the largest city in New Zealand with over 1.5 million people and is the most vibrant and culturally diverse city with Pacific, Asian, Indian, African and European cultures. The city is built around the ocean and provides many public access beaches and facilities to enjoy. There are so many different things to experience such as vineyards, public parks, music concerts and art galleries. From the Viaduct Harbour, you can take the 30 minute ferry across to Waiheke Island fora distinctly different experience.

Auckland offers a main international airport and from here, easy transport links are available to the city and to Unitec.

To be collected from the airport on arrival, make sure you complete the Arrival Form that is included in your Offer pack.

Being a large city, there are plenty of opportunities for part-time work. Many of our graduates choose to work in Auckland once they complete their studies.

Studying at Unitec New Zealand - Mt Albert, Waitakere City & Takapuna, North Shore

Unitec New Zealand has three campuses in Auckland. The main campus is located in Mt Albert while two smaller campuses are located in Waitakere city and Takapuna on the North Shore. Mt Albert and Waitakere are within 15 minutes drive from each other and are serviced by the free Unitec shuttle bus. Unitec’s Mt Albert campus is one of the most beautiful in New Zealand. The campus is set in 55 hectares of park-like grounds, flanked by green reserves, birdlife and the activity of a busy campus. It is just a few minutes drive away from beautiful beaches and the buzz of downtown Auckland city. The Waitakere campus is 10 minutes drive from Mt Albert campus. Courses that are taught here are mostly in the health science area.

The Takapuna campus is our newest campus and is situated very close to beaches and cafes! This campus offers short courses in trades, business and English. We welcome you to come and see for yourself the truly unique living and learning experience at Unitec.

Study options at unitec

Regardless of your study or work experience background, there is a programme at Unitec for you. Whether you want to study English, a degree or a diploma, we can offer a pathway programme for you. Your experience and qualification that you gain from Unitec will be measured both in New Zealand and overseas whether you choose to do further study or look for employment. Many of our graduates remain in Auckland and other parts of New Zealand, because employers are looking for the recognised combination of both theory and practical skills.

This is what makes Unitec students so special because they bring experience to the work place. For those students that are enrolled in a Bachelors degree, there is also the opportunity to study overseas as part of the degree. Opportunities for study is between 1 semester and 1 year, with exchange countries such as the US, Chile, Germany, Mexico, China, UK, Sweden and Australia to name a few.

We encourage you to take full advantage of all the opportunities that are open to you, whether they be academic, social or sporting.

Accommodation
Whether you want the security and buzz of living on-campus, or prefer the independence of your own place, there are many quality accommodation options for international students. Information will be sent to you in your offer pack and you can visit www.unitec.ac.nz for more information. You can apply online.
If you stay in the village for at least one semester, you will receive free membership to the Unitec gym.

Unitec Residential Village

The Residential Village contains 34 separate, self-contained, fully-furnished apartments (although students must supply their own bedding). Each apartment or ‘flat’ has five bedrooms, a shared lounge, kitchen and bathroom. Walkways connect the Residential Village with Unitec III, creating a fun student community. The apartments are self-catered and the kitchens include a stove, fridge/freezer and microwave.

Unitec III opened in 2003 and is a 134-bed, fully-furnished accommodation village offering a mix of living options, ranging from single-bedroom apartments to five-person flats. The apartments are situated close to fields, which the
students can use for exercise or relaxation. Walkways across Oakley Creek connect with the Unitec Residential Village on Great North Road, creating a fun student community.

Students enjoy all the comforts and enjoyment of family life. Living in homestay is also a great way to practise English language skills. All homestay students have their own room, including 2 meals a day during the week and 3 meals a day
in the weekend. Students can be met at the airport and taken directly to their homestay family.

Study New Zealand:

For more information regarding our Study New Zealand Services, please contact us.

Study New Zealand - Academic Requirements

The academic entry requirements listed here are intended as a guide only; other requirements may apply to specific programmes. Please contact us for the specific requirements for each programme, including the special admission criteria.

To be eligible for admission to a Unitec programme, applicants are required to meet:

  1. either the general or special admission requirements
  2. the English requirements
  3. any selection criteria that apply (eg portfolio, interview, work experience, registration)

NZ Secondary School Students
If you are currently studying (or have completed your schooling) in New Zealand, please check the specific programme entry criteria on the Unitec website.

International Students
Please refer to the Country Specific equivalents page for a guide to general requirements from various countries.

English Requirements
Unitec accepts academic IELTS and its equivalents, including NCEA English credits from NZ secondary school and TOEFL tests.

Certificates, Diplomas, Bachelor - Recognised qualifications for general admission are:

  • Appropriate NCEA credits at NZ secondary school (details on Unitec’s website)
  • Country-specific equivalents (see page 37)
  • Unitec’s Certificate in Foundation Studies: Whitinga in a relevant pathway. Diplomas require level 2, bachelors require level 3.

Graduate Certificates or Diplomas - General admission criteria:

  • Have a recognised bachelor degree,
  • OR: Hold a qualification in a relevant discipline,
  • OR: Be able to demonstrate competencies equivalent to a graduate from the above qualifications

Postgraduate Certificates or Diplomas/ Masters

  • Have a recognised bachelor degree in the same or similar discipline with merit achievement (deemed to be an average grade of B or higher in all level 7 courses),
  • OR: Hold a professional qualification in a relevant discipline recognised as being equivalent to at least merit achievement in a bachelors degree,
  • OR: Be able to demonstrate competencies equivalent to a bachelors levelgraduate in a relevant discipline

Doctorates

  • General admission criteria:
  • Have at least three years’ appropriate professional experience relevant to the discipline in which the doctorate is being undertaken,
  • AND: Have qualified for or been awarded a masters degree in the same
  • or similar discipline with not less than upper second class honours or
  • equivalent,
  • OR: Have an honours degree of four years’ duration in the same or similar discipline with at least an A- average, which includes a research project,
  • OR: Have a postgraduate diploma in the same or similar discipline and be able to demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills and data interpretation equivalent to the above masters or honours degrees.

Application

To apply at Unitec in Auckland or to recieve more information. Just send an email to our free student service.

Unitec New Zealand

Kia Ora. Welcome to Unitec New Zealand

Located in Auckland, New Zealand - Unitec New Zealand is a dual sector government tertiary institution hat is committed to offering students internationally recognized Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Doctorates.

World Class Education in Auckland, new Zealand

Welcome to Unitec which has three locations across Auckland City - Mt Albert being the main campus, Waitakere and akapuna. International students are enrolled for English language, 1-3 year qualifications, articulation pathway programmes and exchange and study abroad programmes. Your classes will be culturally diverse with students from NZ and over 50 different other ountries.

At Unitec we can offer you:

  • Internationally recognised qualifications
  • Value for money
  • Teaching staff from industry backgrounds
  • Research based lecturers
  • Study focused classrooms
  • Staff-student class ratios 1:15
  • Pathway programmes
  • Credit transfer recognition Programmes endorsed by industry
  • NZQA monitored and approved programmes
  • Theoretical and applied learning

You will have access to all amenities on campus such as:

  • accommodation
  • computer labs and wireless availability
  • career services
  • student job search
  • a wide selection of cafes
  • health services
  • sport facilities
  • an active student union
  • on campus academic support centre

Unitec is a member of the International Association of Universities

Application

To apply at Unitec in Auckland or to recieve more information. Just send an email to our free student service.

Unitec Programmes

Unitec NZ

Unitec Institute of Technology Exchange Student Program

Study Abroad New Zealand

Unitec Institute of Technology has offered student exchange program, Unijet on various subjects for both New Zealand and international students. The students would complete the degree from the foreign institute while paying the tuition fees as required in New Zealand. No additional fees would be required to be paid. Subjects of study include business, sports, communication, engineering, computing, and many more. To know these opportunities and various courses offered in Unijet policy, let us know.

Unitec Student Testimonials