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International Students

International

Wintec is one of New Zealand's largest Institutes of Technology/Polytechnics (ITPs) and a leading provider of high quality, vocational and professional education in the Waikato region. There are over 1700 international students studying at Wintec, from 50 different countries.

Why you should study at Wintec

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Broad range of course offerings
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Dedicated international centre
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Accommodation options to suit your needs
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Tutors who have worked in industry
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Practical learning style
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Amazing facilities
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On campus security night and day

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News

International student changes career as a doctor for sport science

Lili Dai has given up the busy schedule of being a doctor in China to study clinical exercise physiology in Hamilton, New Zealand. 

After making the decision to move to Hamilton, New Zealand from Shenyang, China, in January 2020, Lili Dai made a big decision – to change her career. 

Giving up her profession of ten years as a physician, Dai decided to enrol at Wintec to study a Master of Science (Human Performance Science) in Clinical Exercise Physiology as an international student. She is now in her final semester of the degree and will be graduating at the end of the year.  

Dai moved to New Zealand with her husband and young son after talking to friends of theirs who had been living in New Zealand for some years.  

Settling on Hamilton, Dai enrolled at Wintec because she saw the merits of practical study. 

“I did some research on the website and I read that studying at Wintec prepares you to be “a confident and work-ready graduate” and I thought yes, I really like this philosophy,” Dai says. 

Giving up her career of 10 years wasn’t an easy choice for her to make, but she doesn’t miss the busy and stressful lifestyle of life as a doctor. 

“When I decided to leave my job, I asked myself – is that the right decision? Everything is new – the culture and lifestyle. I was a bit anxious about what was going to happen,” Dai says. 

“But as a doctor life was stressful and busy. Doctors are always working under pressure. Especially in China, we didn’t have holidays and work was always the top priority, especially when you’re working with patients. Even when you’re away from work, it feels like you’re still working.” 

Her career experience was invaluable and taught her skills that have come in useful for her master’s studies in Clinical Exercise Physiology. 

“There is a lot related between my background in medicine and clinical exercise physiology. The clinical exercise physiology works with people with chronic diseases,” Dai says. 

“When I was a doctor I worked with people in the late stages of their diseases and the only interventions they could have were medications or surgeries. If I could work with people at an earlier stage as a clinical exercise physiologist, it would be so helpful so they can stay active, and even change their lives. It’s so meaningful,” she says. 

Dai is making a positive impression in her classroom, and her tutor Dr Glynis Longhurst, Principal Academic Staff member at the Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance, says she is a “beacon of hope” for the international students in their centre. 

“Many of the students in the class have leaned on Lili’s medical knowledge, and she finds time to mentor other students who may struggle with the practical elements of the course,” says Longhurst. 

“Her peers describe her as being humbled, dedicated, supportive and encouraging. She also has an openness and willingness to embrace the diverse cultures in New Zealand, reciprocating by sharing her own culture with her peers, enhancing the cultural intelligence of all those around her.” 

Her attitude and influence was also formally recognised this year as she was the recipient of an annual Wintec Adult Learners Award, in the International category.  

Dai’s moxie and verve has seen her adjust to New Zealand life quickly, but it has come with its challenges too, as her and her family have had to adjust to an entirely new culture and pace of life. 

One of the most positive things about moving here though is how much her son Joshua, six, is loving it. 

“He is really enjoying his life – his new school, classmates and friends. He’s so excited to go to school every day, and in the weekend and holidays he’s asking me when he can go back because he misses his friends,” she says. 

Although being away from home comes with its difficulties, Dai is thankful to have found her community of classmates, in particular a friend who studied the same programme as her last semester who she now “thinks of as family”. 

Dai and her husband do miss their families in China though, and think about their parents often, as each are their parents’ only children. 

“Our parents are getting older. Sometimes we will think about our parents, how they need someone to support them. There are moments you will think – oh – at this moment, I really miss a specific food or meal that my parents made for me.”  

For the most part though, Dai and her family love their new life here in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and have found an easy solution for the times they do miss their parents’ home cooking.  

“If we really miss some food or meal, we’ll go to the Asian supermarket, buy the ingredients and try find a YouTube video that teaches us how to cook the dish!”  

Find out more about studying a Master of Science (Human Performance Science)

Events

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International Prospectus

The International Prospectus contains programmes we recommended for International Students. The Prospectus was current at the date of print. For current programme information, please refer to the programme web pages.

Programme brochures

Homestay

Homestay is where you stay with New Zealand families, in their homes. Our Homestay hosts are carefully selected for their kind and caring nature.

You will get to improve your English by talking to them; you will also be able to enjoy family activities, celebrations, religious practices, and sporting events.

When living in a homestay, the host will provide you with:

  • A clean, comfortable home with a happy and relaxed atmosphere
  • A private, furnished bedroom with a bed, study space, and storage
  • Pillows, sheets, blankets, and towels
  • A heater (if required in winter)
  • Access to Wi-Fi internet
  • Access to shared spaces; kitchen, lounge, dining, laundry, backyard
  • Fully catered; meals, lunches, and snacks

Are you moving out of your homestay?

If you are thinking of leaving your homestay, click the button below for the check out form, what you need to do and a handy guide to help you transition.

Student Village

Only a five minute walk from the Wintec City Campus and downtown Hamilton, the Wintec Student Village offers a relaxed atmosphere, a pastoral care environment and a range of social and cultural activities through the year.

Bedrooms include a bed, study desk, cupboards and a wardrobe, with access to a phone, internet, kitchenette (excluding oven), separate toilet and shower. There is a shared full kitchen, TV lounge, games room and laundry.

Three main meals are provided on weekdays and two main meals on the weekend.

Student in village accommodation studying at desk

Wintec Apartments

Wintec Apartments offer a modern, self-catered style of accommodation situated in a three-level apartment complex building located on the Wintec City Campus. Wintec Apartments include four apartments per level, each containing 5 or 6 rooms, separate shower and toilet facilities, plus full kitchen and dining facilities.

Each level of the building offers a large common room/ study area, with shared laundry facilities and storage for bicycles and other large items available on the lower ground floor.

Services include access to a telephone for local calls and full access to high-speed wireless internet available free to students staying in the apartments. Security features include - swipe card access into your own apartment and into your individual room, sitewide CCTV, and Wintec security patrols.

Woman seated at desk using laptop in Student Apartment bedroom
Exterior photo of Student Apartments
Students hanging out together in apartment lounge

Accommodation costs

Click the button below to find our accommodation options and information including current fees and shuttle fees.

Apply for accommodation

International students applying to live in Student Village, Wintec Apartments, or a Homestay, must follow the process below.

Please note: Students under the age of 18 must live in Wintec-approved accommodation, either in Homestay Accommodation, in the Wintec Student Village, or with an approved caregiver.

  1. Complete one of the application forms below:
  1. Answer ALL questions in this form and sign and date the form.
  2. Email the form to: international.accommodation@wintec.ac.nz
  3. Wintec will email to confirm we have received the application. Email us if you do not receive this email.
  4. A detailed confirmation email is sent once the accommodation is booked and confirmed.

Airport transfers

If you require an airport pickup to be arranged, please complete the form below and email to the international accommodation address below two weeks before you arrive in New Zealand. If your travel plans change, please immediately notify our accommodation team.

Our international accommodation email address is international.accommodation@wintec.ac.nz.

All students aged under 18 must be collected by a Wintec assigned shuttle service and taken to their Wintec approved accommodation (unless other arrangements have been approved by Wintec).

Fees*

*GENERAL DISCLAIMER
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, the user of the information agrees that the information is subject to change without notice. Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) will not accept liability for any errors or omissions contained in this brochure nor for any subsequent actions that may arise as a consequence of decisions made based upon its contents.

Refunds

Refund policy

By accepting a place in a programme or paying fees at Wintec, a student enters a contract with Wintec for the period of the programme.

The student is required to pay the fee for one year or the length of the programme (if less than one year). No refund will be given after the course or programme has commenced.

If there are insufficient numbers or enrolments, the programme may be cancelled and a refund will be given.

Click here for more information about refunds

Application process

1. Submit an application

If you are applying to study through an agent:

Apply to study at Wintec by completing an International Application Form

Please complete ALL sections of this form, attach the required verified documentation and sign and date the declaration at the end. As programmes are very popular, please apply early while spaces are still available.

Your agent will arrange for your completed application to be sent to Wintec.

If you are not applying through an agent please send your completed International Application Form and verified or notarised supporting documents to international@wintec.ac.nz. You can learn more about supporting documents here.

Alternatively, you can post a completed application form with supporting documents to:

Student Enrolment and Information Centre
Wintec
Private Bag 3036
Waikato Mail Centre
Hamilton 3240
New Zealand

 

Please note: It is compulsory for all International Students to have appropriate and current Medical and Travel Insurance while studying in New Zealand. It is a Wintec requirement for International Students to be covered from the day the student leaves their home country to the expiry date of their Visa plus one week. Proof of current Medical and Travel Insurance is required before your enrolment can be finalised.

 

Now that you've applied to study at Wintec, here's what happens next:

Form in envelope

Receive your offer letter

Congratulations, you’ve been given an offer of placement. (If your offer is conditional, once the condition(s) of the Conditional Offer Letter are met, a new Unconditional Offer Letter will be issued to sign).

Form

Sign offer

Sign the Acceptance Page of the Offer Letter, with all applicable boxes ticked and return to our Enrolment Team: international@wintec.ac.nz.

Receipt

Immigration

Take your offer letter to Immigration NZ to obtain your student visa approval in principle. Find your nearest Visa Application Centre.

Coins

Pay fees to Wintec

Note: A Fee Receipt cannot be issued until Wintec has receive an Acceptance Form, Payment of all applicable fees, The INZ Officers name, email address and your student’s INZ application number.

Tick box

Place confirmed

You will receive a Paid Offer Letter and programme induction information. You can find pre-departure information in the Wintec Orientation Handbook.

Airplane taking off

Travel plans

You’ll need to notify the Wintec Accommodation Officer of your accommodation requirements and travel plans by emailing:
international.accommodation@wintec.ac.nz.

Arrow pointed up

Accommodation and airport transfers

Our international centre team can arrange accommodation placements and airport pickup. There are three options for accommodation, homestay (living with a family), Student Village or Wintec Appartments. Learn more about accommodation and airport transfers.

Airplane taking off

Arrive in New Zealand

Once you’ve arrived in New Zealand, visit Wintec and complete your enrolment at the Student Enrolment and Information Centre. See campus maps.

Entry requirements

English language requirements

All Wintec mainstream programmes have an English language requirement for students whose first language is not English.

TABLE for Internationally recognised English Proficiency Outcomes​

Concurrent programmes:
IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 5.0 in all bands, or equivalent

Programmes level 4 and below:
IELTS 5.5  with a minimum of 5.0 in all bands, or equivalent

Programmes levels 5 to 7:
IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands, or equivalent

Programmes level 8 and above:
IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in all bands, or equivalent

Additional requirements:
2 year validity period for all assessments. External bodies may influence some programme specific IELTS levels. You must provide evidence of your proficiency in the English language.

Gaokao Scores for 2021 enrolment

Click here

Academic entry requirements

Wintec has set minimum requirements for academic entry to programmes for International Students. 

The requirements are listed by country.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Visas, permits and immigration

All International students must hold a valid student visa for the duration of their studies.

Full details of visa requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying and reporting requirements are on the New Zealand Immigration Services website, www.immigration.govt.nz.
To apply for your student visa you will need supporting documents (ie Paid Offer, Attendance, and Academic Transcript) these documents can be applied for through the Student Enrolment and Information Centre at either the City or Rotokauri campuses. 
 
Alternatively please complete the International Document Request Form and email it through to international@wintec.ac.nz.

Medical and travel insurance

All International students enrolling with Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) (including group students) MUST have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while in New Zealand. Your insurance must cover you from the beginning of your studies until at least the expiry date of your student visa. This is a New Zealand Government requirement as outlined in the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students and under Immigration New Zealand policy.

You will be automatically enrolled into the Wintec insurance scheme and a policy charge will be added to your tuition fees invoice at your enrolment. Details of the Wintec insurance scheme may be found here​ . Students who have opted to purchase an alternative approved policy will have this charge removed when you have presented your policy to Wintec at the Student Enrolment and Information Centre.​

Meet the team

Senior management team

Girish Nair

Girish Nair

International Director

Karen Kemsley

Karen Kemsley

International Student Services Manager

Tony O'Brien

Tony O'Brien

International Business Development Director

Student Support team

Unmesha Veetil

Unmesha Veetil

International Student Services Advisor

Susan Ye

Susan Ye

International Student Services Advisor

Sally McGill

Sally McGill

International Accommodation Advisor

Business Development team

Aubrey Midwed

Aubrey Medwid

Study Abroad, Scholarships, and Student Exchange

Market managers – student recruitment

Edward Park

Edward Park

International Market Director – Korea, Japan, South America, Africa, Russia, Indonesia, Pacific, and New Zealand onshore

Balraj

Balraj Sharma

International Market Manager – South Asia: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh

Graeme-Rennie

Graeme Rennie

International Market Manager – Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia

International Centre

From the moment you arrive in New Zealand, our dedicated International Centre team is here to provide all the help and support you need. At Wintec, you will not be just another student at a tertiary institute, you will be an important part of a lively community learning with and about each other.

We can help you with your accommodation needs, getting you settled into your studies, emergency assistance and pastoral care.

We also organise events and activities throughout the year to make you feel at home and celebrate your cultural diversity.

International  
Girish NairInternational Director
Market Managers - Student Recruitment 
Edward ParkInternational Market Director - Korea, Japan, South America, Africa, Russia, Indonesia, Pacific, and NZ onshore
Graeme RennieInternational Market Manager – Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia
Balraj SharmaInternational Market Manager – South Asia: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh
Other AreasFor China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, please contact Tony O'Brien from the Business Development team
Student Services 
Karen KemsleyInternational Student Services Manager
Unmesha VeetilInternational Student Services Advisor
Susan YeInternational Student Services Advisor
Sally McGillSenior International Student Accommodation Advisor 
Business Development 
Tony O'BrienInternational Business Development Director
Aubrey MedwidStudy Abroad, Scholarships, and Student Exchange

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