International Students

Requirements | English | Pastoral care | Travel Insurance | Accident Insurance | Health services | Application Process | Accommodation | Orientation

The College welcomes and encourages students who genuinely wish to grow their ministry skills to study here in New Zealand, provided they plan to return to their country of origin to use their skills and knowledge.

REQUIREMENTS TO STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND

There are a number of requirements that must be met in order to obtain a visa to enable you to study in New Zealand. It is advisable to contact your nearest NZ Consulate or NZ Embassy in order to find out more about these requirements. Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/study, then click on Can I study in New Zealand and then Rules and Requirements. The College strongly advises all prospective students to study this information carefully. In addition to the Immigration Department requirements, the College advises the following points:

  • Ministry Training College of New Zealand is a non-residential place of study. However, campus staff will be pleased to help you find a suitable place of residence if you would like assistance in this area.
  • You will need to pay your tuition fees before arriving in New Zealand, unless you have a special exemption from the Campus Principal.
  • For a one year Certificate programme, you will need to allow approximately $400 for other course related costs such as textbooks, camp fees, photocopying costs etc.

     

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COMPETENCY IN ENGLISH

All teaching is in English, and a reasonable competency in English is required to understand the course content, and to complete the assignments. If english is not your first language, you may be asked to comptete an IELTS test (International English Language Test for Students). A score of 5.5 or higher is normally required from this test. This test can be taken either at a British or New Zealand Consulate, and the College will assist in organizing this with you. If you are already in New Zealand, a similar assessment can be undertaken directly at the College campus sites.

If your English skills are not at the required standard, the College recommends you consider enrolling in an English Language school to study english first before engaging in the ministry training programmes. .

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CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Ministry Training College of New Zealand has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. Copies of the Code area available on request from this institution, or from the Ministry of education website at http://www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international.

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MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. As a guideline, students should consider a minimum coverage figure of at least $150,000 for medical cover as being appropriate, but preferably, a policy with unlimited cover is best. The College can arrange suitable medical and travel insurance cover on your behalf, or recommend some reputable insurers. You must provide evidence that you have taken out medical and travel insurance for the full period of the intended study once the College makes an Offer of Placement to you. The amount of cover and period of study need to be stated on the Offer of Placement document for immigration purposes.

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ACCIDENT INSURANCE

The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents, and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at http://www.acc.co.nz.

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ELIGIBILITY FOR HEALTH SERVICES

Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on the entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their Website at http://www.moh.govt.nz.

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APPLICATION PROCESS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

  1. Please read the section on the Additional Information page 'To be accepted as a student'. These points apply to all types of students, both domestic and international.
  2. Complete the Enrolment application form, sign it, and mail it to the Auckland Campus Principal together with a non-refundable application fee of NZ$50.00.  (Our Christchurch campus will not be accepting applications from International Students). Campus contact details are available in this Form and on this website. The Enrolment form can be downloaded from the College website www.mtcnz.org.nz/enrolment/downloads  
  3. Give one reference form to your pastor and one form each to two other senior people in the church or community you know well. Advise them to send the completed form directly to the Auckland Campus Principal. It is important that the referee themselves mail it to the campus.
  4. In due course, you will be contacted by the Campus Principal or Registrar.
  5. If overseas, you may be required to undergo an IELTS test. If in NZ already, you may be required to undergo an equivalent test.
  6. You will be required to undergo either a telephone interview (if overseas), or a face to face interview if in New Zealand and within practical reach of a campus.
  7. If accepted, you will then need to arrange medical and travel insurance, and provide the evidence to the College. If not accepted, you will be advised of this outcome also.
  8. You will need to pay your tuition fees into the account provided, unless you have made special arrangements with the Campus Principal.
  9. An official Offer of Placement document will then be forwarded to you.
  10. You can then apply for your Student Visa.

     

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ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Ministry Training College of New Zealand is not a residential college. 

In Auckland, the College is located in a new suburb that offers a wide variety of accommodation types including apartments, houses, townhouses and units.  In Christchurch the College is located in the city centre with easy access to the surrounding suburbs.  The College does not assess suitability of accommodation for ministry training students (ie by providing homestay services), but we are happy to assist you in finding suitable local accommodation.  For example, College staff will know of existing flatting arrangements used by students and could enquire on your behalf if another peron is being sought.     

The accommodation options available for International Students are as follows:

  1. Flatting/Sharing a House - It is common to share a flat or house with other people in New Zealand and share common expenses. A furnished room is recommended, otherwise the room will be empty.  Flatmates are advertised in local newspapers in the Flatmates Wanted section of the classified ads or on the internet for example www.trademe.co.nz.  You would normally expect to have your own private room but to share all other facilities.  Prices range from $120 to $140 a week for a room.  You will need to check if costs include other expenses such as power, phone, internet, food.     
  2. Boarding -  In the Boarding situation, you have your own private room and be provided with breakfast and dinner each day.  (Some hosts may only provide this for five days of the week) You will have to talk to your host family about their house rules.  The cost for this option is between $180 - $200 a week.      
  3. Renting a House or Flat  - This is recommended if you are planning to stay in New Zealand with your family.  The average price for a 2-3 bedroom house is between $300 to $500 a week.  Most landlords require tenants to pay two weeks rent in advance and a bond (equivalent to 2-3 weeks rent) which is refundable at the end of the tenancy.  These are advertised in local newspapers in the House for Rent section of the classified ads or on the internet for example www.trademe.co.nz or local real estate agencies.  Real estate agents charge a fee of at least two weeks rent for this service.         
  4. Apartment Rental - For Christchurch,  Oaks on Cashel is the closest apartment accommodation to our campus and offers contemporary studio and executive studio self contained apartments with internet access.  Rates are &89.00 per night for short stays or $255 per week for long stay accommodation (28 days minimum).  For Auckland rates are similar. 
  5. Backpackers Hostel - These are very cheap low end of the market type accommodation usually offering little privacy and no support.  You could choose this option for the short term while you look for more suitable accommodation after you arrive in New Zealand.  In Auckland, there are no backpacker hostels within easy reach of the MTC campus.  In Christchurch, a number of local hostels offer dormitory type information for short term guests.  Prices start at about $19 per night for a bed in a larger dormitory and a few hostels are able to provide single bedroom accommodation.  Local backpackers offer dormitory or single room accommodation with prices beginning at $140 per week for a dormitory bed and $50 dollars per night for a single room (pay for 6 nights and get one free).  These prices are indicative only and will vary from property to property.    
  6. Motel - This is a more expensive option with local motel rates starting at around $80 per night and hotelas at around $120 per night in both Auckland and Christchurch.  Rates do vary depending on the time of year and length of the guests stay. 

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Orientation

When College starts you will be taken on a site tour and be briefed on the following orientation topics:

  • Our Health and Safety Procedures
  • How to use the Timetable
  • Procedures about settling into College
  • Student Handbook
  • Completing assignments interactively  

You will also be asked to complete a quick survey and a couple of lectures relating to Study Skills will made available for students who have not had recent study experience.     

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international students