Frequently Asked Questions

STAR are short courses designed to help you explore your career options. Usually, one day per week 9am to 3pm for five or six weeks (you will be notified if this timeframe is different). Our range of courses gives you an opportunity to gain tertiary experience while staying at school.

There is a fee for each STAR course, which is funded through your secondary school (with their approval).

STAR students experience a short taste of an industry or career option. From this, you may be able to decide what your next step is in your career or if you wish to do extra tertiary study. You will gain practical experience, providing you with information to support you in your future.

If you are interested in attending a STAR course, talk to your Careers Advisor or STAR Coordinator at school. If your school is happy for you to attend the course, they will let us know.

Our U-Skills Academy programmes are designed to guide students through a vocational pathway, with the encouragement and support of your school. Within Academy you will have access to experienced staff who have real experience in the real world. Our team have a range of skills to suit multiple needs and provide a supportive stepping stone, giving you a taste of tertiary education, without course fees.

All Academy programmes are fees-free for students.

Vocational Pathway and industry relevant standards which contribute to NCEA.

U-Skills Academy operate either one or two days per week from 9am – 3pm.

If you’re between years 11-13 at a New Zealand secondary school or college, you’re eligible.

Yes, transport assistance is available when you meet certain criteria.

If you are interested in an Academy programme talk to your careers advisor at school and they will help you with the application process.

U-Skills Tertiary Pathways are designed for students who have identified their career pathway and are ready to transition from school to tertiary study. You have the chance to gain a tertiary qualification and, in some cases, start your apprenticeship while still at school. You will be dual-enrolled at your school and UCOL, spending up to five days a week at UCOL as you work towards a New Zealand Certificate in a particular career pathway.

A FREE relevant tertiary qualification while still at school, building on previous achievement and experience at NCEA and/or U-Skills Trades Academy. Please note that, in most cases, the credits in these programmes won’t contribute to NCEA.

Higher level of study (i.e. Level 4 and above), apprenticeships, or employment. U-Skills Tertiary Pathways places are subject to availability and meeting entry criteria. Transport to UCOL’s campuses isn’t provided for these programmes.

You have the option to either apply on paper or online. Some programmes may require supporting documentation - these can be found here. Simply take a photo of your filled in forms and submit them to studentregistry@ucol.ac.nz.

This depends on the programme you are applying for. Usually, they are listed at the top of the programme page. If you’re unsure whether you’ve provided all of the required documents, please email enquiry@ucol.ac.nz

A completed application form/online enrolment, a verified copy of your birth certificate or passport, plus any additional entry requirement information (such as health declaration, references, safety check, criminal conviction declaration, record of learning, academic transcripts/records) if applicable.

Check out our step-by-step outline of the UCOL enrolment application processes for both domestic and international ākonga on our Apply Now page.

You can check your application status on Student Web Services. Alternatively, please email enquiry@ucol.ac.nz

UCOL welcomes applications to study up to two weeks after a programme starts.

No, UCOL does not own or manage student housing. Students arrange accommodation independently. Check out our Accommodation page for more details.

It depends on the qualification and certain circumstances. We suggest you contact us by filling in the form on our Contact Us page to find out what your course requirements are. It would also be worthwhile to take a look at available scholarships on our Scholarships page, and check out what support is available from StudyLink at www.studylink.co.nz

Most options range from NZD $200 to $400 per week per person

Yes, but it’s recommended to start with short-term housing while you search for a flat.

For all information and to apply for a student loan, please visit StudyLink.

You may be able to get ‘Fees Free’ up to $12,000 after you successfully complete your first eligible qualification or programme. This initiative is provided by Inland Revenue. To learn more and confirm if you are eligible, please visit www.ird.govt.nz/fees-free

A variety of scholarship are available to UCOL students. ‘UCOL Scholarships’ are only available for UCOL students to apply, while ‘External Scholarships’ are not administered by UCOL and, therefore, are open to a range of students across the motu to apply. Explore available scholarships on our Scholarships page.

Our Learning Advisors are here to help! Book your appointment through at www.ucol.libcal.com/appointments

International students may be eligible for UCOL’s range of international scholarships. Please talk with your international agent, or email us at enquiry@ucol.ac.nz. Other external scholarships for international students can be viewed at www.nzscholarships.govt.nz and www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz

After you have returned your signed Offer of Place, you can apply for your student visa online at www.immigration.govt.nz

Our International Support team can provide you with everything you need to succeed. Email InternationalAdmissions@ucol.ac.nz or phone +6469008414 with any questions you have.

You can apply for a progamme directly online, or with the help of one of UCOL’s accredited Recruitment Agents. See our Agents and Resources page to find an agent and their contact details.

Our pre-departure guide is filled with information to help make your move to NZ and study at UCOL as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Find the Guide on our Life in New Zealand page.

UCOL students are able to have a laptop issued to them from our IT Help Desk in Manawatū, from the Library Desk in Whanganui and from Te Pa Hao in Wairarapa. Students can also use the computers set up in our common spaces.

Our campus Info/Enrolments Desk is open Mon-Fri 8.30am-3pm. Our campus Library is open Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm.

Our campus Info/Enrolments Desk and Library are open 8am-4pm.

Make sure you know where your classes are. Find out where to park/ catch the bus from. Get involved in the O-Week activities and events to meet other students and staff. Reach out to our Te Mana Tauira teams – they're here to help! Ask questions!

Once you have a logged into your student account, check out the programme Timetables on the UCOL Student Intranet.

Connect to 'iConnect' using your normal login credentials. If you have any issues connecting visit our friendly IT Service Desk team, or phone 0800 GO UCOL and ask for Student IT support.

Visit our helpful team at the IT Service Desk, or phone 0800 GO UCOL and ask for Student IT support.

Your lecturer may need to add you to the Moodle class list, please email the lecturer if you experience this issue.

If you have an outstanding debt with UCOL you may not be able to see your results. Please contact your lecturer as they will be able to tell you your result if you have a payment arrangement with UCOL.

Our Student Success/Te Mana Tauira teams are here to help make your study journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible. • Whether you’re needing tips on writing essays, struggling to budget while studying, or wanting support with physical or mental wellbeing, our support teams can help. Book your appointments at www.ucol.libcal.com/appointments

No. Te Atakura coaches are not in classrooms to observe you, but they are there to collect evidence on kaiako teaching practices, which they will then reflect on with your kaiako.

No. However, your voice does have the power to drive change and is really important in shaping the teaching and learning experience not just for yourself, but also for your peers and others who study at UCOL.

There are different phases to the Te Atakura journey for a kaiako. However, no matter what phase they are in, all kaiako have access to Te Atakura coaches.

Te Atakura is an organisation-wide model in which everyone has a role to play. All kaimahi at UCOL have access to Te Atakura coaches, workshops, and resources. Those with high fidelity to the model see the greatest success, not just for ākonga Māori but for all ākonga.

On the Manawatū, Whanganui and Horowhenua campuses please contact Erin Lincoln, Kaikōkiri Te Atakura at E.Lincoln@ucol.ac.nz  On the Wairarapa campus, please contact Riki Anderson, Kaikōkiri Te Mana Tauira at R.Anderson@ucol.ac.nz 

When your results have been finalised, if you are eligible to attend graduation you will receive an invitation from Academic Records. Graduation invitations are expected to be sent out via graduands’ Student Web Services (SWS) accounts starting from late December through to February. You will also receive an SMS txt alert notifying you to log in and complete your graduation application.

Once you have received your invitation, please log into your UCOL SWS account and complete the graduation application under academic details as soon as possible, but no later than the date listed on your invitation. Please select either ‘In Person’ or ‘Absentia’.

Please note: NO application after the cut-off date listed on your invitation will be accepted, if you don’t complete your graduation application before the cut-off date you will be unable to attend graduation.

Yes, you must compete the graduation application in order to attend graduation. If you do not complete the graduation application, we will not know you are attending graduation and your award will not be available on the day.

Please note: NO application after the cut-off date listed on your invitation will be accepted, if you don’t complete your graduation application before the cut-off date you will be unable to attend graduation.

We are required to print all awards with students full and legal name. If your name is incorrect, please contact academicrecords@ucol.ac.nz as soon as possible at least 4 weeks before graduation.

If you have had a name change, we require a verified copy of your marriage certificate or new issue birth certificate. If you do not provide documents before the cut-off date, your award will have your previous name on it. Any requests for a name change after the cut-off date indicated on your graduation invite, you will incur an $80 re-print fee for diploma/degrees and a $40 re-print fee for certificates.

Please see information here on how to verify your documents.

If you have an outstanding balance on your UCOL account, please contact accountsreceivable@ucol.ac.nz immediately to discuss. You are still welcome to attend graduation; however your award will be held until all debts have been cleared in accordance with the UCOL Issue of Awards Policy and Procedure.

You are still required to complete the graduation application, please log into your SWS account and select Absentia. Your award will be held in storage until you contact Academic Records academicrecords@ucol.ac.nz to confirm your current postal address. All awards are sent via NZ Post (no tracking number) or alternatively you can arrange to collect from the UCOL Information Centre, at the Manawatū Campus only.

Click on “Need your password” to reset or contact UCOL's IT team on 0800 468 265 for help.

You will be sent two invitations, please complete both graduation applications so we can have both of your awards in your graduation envelope. You will graduate with the higher of your qualifications.

If you have a question not listed here, please contact ucolgraduation@ucol.ac.nz.

Yes, you need to hire regalia for the graduation ceremony the only exception are certificates who can wear smart casual.

• Certificate: Smart casual is expected – Wearing academic dress (a gown) is optional for certificate graduands only $45.00

• Diploma: Gown and UCOL sash $50.00 (Include a trencher (hat) only if you have a previous degree $20.00)

• Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma: Gown and UCOL stole - $65.00 (or the regalia of your previous degree - $85.00)

• Bachelor or Master's Degree: Gown with a hood (showing degree colours) and a trencher - $85.00

Please place all academic dress (regalia) orders through https://www.masseygowns.org.nz. Any questions arising from the order process can be addressed to info@masseygowns.org.nz.

Please note the closing date for hire as per your graduation invitation, or elsewhere on the graduation webpage.

To find out what colour regalia to hire, please see UCOL Regalia Guide. For any questions regarding regalia please contact info@masseygowns.org.nz

If you are experiencing genuine hardship and the cost of the gown may stop you from attending your graduation ceremony, please contact TeManaTauira-MWT@ucol.ac.nz as we may be able to offer financial support. Please note you will be required to complete a hardship application.

Guest tickets are only required for the Manawatū Ceremony and not required for the Whanganui and Wairarapa Ceremonies.

Manawatū Ceremonies: You are automatically allocated 3 guest tickets and one parking ticket.

Once you have completed your graduation application, you can apply for additional tickets. Please email ucolgraduation@ucol.ac.nz, with your full name, student ID, and the total number of additional tickets you are requesting before the cut-off date listed on your graduation invitation. Your request will be dependent on maximum seating numbers at the graduation venue.

Guest tickets and car parking passes are sent via NZ Post, if you do not receive your tickets a week before graduation, please contact ucolgraduation@ucol.ac.nz. Remember, tickets are only needed for the Manawatū graduation ceremonies.

If you do not check in with faculty on the day of graduation, you will be counted as absentia and your name will come off the graduation ceremony call list and your award will not be available.

Our graduation ceremonies lasts 1-2 hours. All graduates and your invited guests are encouraged to stay until the end of the ceremony as leaving partway through causes disruption for other graduates and guests.

After each of the graduation ceremonies, we invite our graduates and their supporters to share in light refreshments with us. For some campuses, this will happen after a procession. Further details are provided on the day.

You can find photos from the ceremony on our UCOL Facebook page. Please like our Facebook page for updates and photos. Please allow up to two weeks for these photos to be processed and shared. 

Yes, we have award frames, and commemorative glassware available from our Manawatū, Whanganui and Wairarapa campus information desks. Online you can also order UCOL apparel to be delivered straight to your door. Please read this webpage for further information.