Ko UCOL tēnei
Life at UCOL
This page is designed to give you a brief overview of the information you’ll need to succeed at UCOL. Once you arrive, you’ll receive further support from our Navigators and International Support staff.
Support at UCOL
Our Navigators walk alongside our students to help them achieve their goals. We understand that coming to a new country to study can be quite an adventure. UCOL’s Navigators are experienced in looking after their needs and follow the New Zealand Government Code of Practice for Pastoral Care.
Navigators support international students by:
Engaging with students throughout their entire journey at UCOL
Providing ongoing orientation classes
Sharing local knowledge and how to keep safe in New Zealand
Guiding students to develop connections with the wider community
Supporting International Students with visa processing
Encouraging students to get involved with social activities and events
Living in Palmerston North
If you plan to study at UCOL Manawatū, visit the official tourism website to learn about the city and surrounding Manawatū region.
Living in Whanganui
If you plan to study at UCOL Whanganui, find out about the city by looking at Whanganui's official tourism site.
Mobile Phones
We understand how important it is to stay connected with friends and family. That’s why UCOL provides international students with a free 2 Degrees SIM card on arrival so that you can easily obtain a New Zealand phone number.
UCOL’s Learning Culture
UCOL’s learner-focused emphasis and Aotearoa’s relatively low power distance allow our students and teachers to work together towards their academic goals. Teachers are there to guide you throughout your learning journey and will help you to develop the tools and solutions you need for learning success. Students are expected to be willing to put in the hard work and to be open to discussing topics in class. There are a few key things you can do to achieve success:
Self-Directed Learning - create plans and goals for yourself.
Active Participation - speak up in class, ask questions, and share your knowledge with others.
Prepare for multiple assignments - expect many small tests throughout your course.
Communicate - we help best when you let us know, so don’t be afraid to contact Te Mana Tauira Student Success after class - we are here to help.
International student policies and procedures
UCOL is dedicated to supporting international students seeking or undertaking study with us. We have a range of policies and procedures to guide the way UCOL deals with international student applications and the pastoral care of international students. Many of these are also listed on our Policies and Procedures page.
International Student Fees
International students pay different fees to domestic students. The fees can be found on the programme (qualification) page. The fees displayed are for one year of study. Payment is required in full before teaching starts.
Pastoral Care
You can find out more about New Zealand's Pastoral Care commitment to international students here, and read our internal procedure below.
Recognition of Prior Learning
UCOL has a Recognition of Prior Learning procedure. Contact us to learn more.
How to Make a Complaint as an International Student at UCOL
At UCOL, we’re committed to ensuring every international student feels heard, respected, and supported. If something’s not quite right, here’s how you can raise a concern and get the help you need.
Step 1: Use UCOL’s Internal Complaints Process
Your first step is to follow the UCOL Student Concerns and Complaints Procedure. This process is designed to resolve issues quickly and fairly within our institution.
Step 2: Escalate to NZQA if Needed
If your concern isn’t resolved to your satisfaction, you can escalate it to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). NZQA will either investigate your complaint or guide you on what to do next.
https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/make-a-complaint/
Step 3: For Contractual or Financial Disputes
If your complaint involves contractual or financial matters and remains unresolved, NZQA will refer you to Student Complaints, which handles cases under the International Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme (DRS). This government-backed scheme is available to current, former, and prospective international students.