AUT - Before you apply - things to consider
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Before you apply - things to consider
This page has information about what to consider before you apply to AUT University - including if you are a domestic or international student, the minimum age to study at AUT, English language requirements and how we assess your suitability for study.
What you should know before you apply to AUT University
To help you apply and to avoid disappointment you should consider the following:- Are you a domestic or international student?
- Do you meet the minimum age requirements?
- How does AUT assess your suitability for study?
- Do you need to meet English language requirements?
For all applicants we look at general admission requirements – your age, suitability for study and student category (domestic or international student).
If your first language is not English, Māori or NZ Sign Language we also assess your English language skills.
Domestic or international student: which category applies to you?
- Different rules and processes for domestic and international students
- Important that you apply under the correct category.
This is a legal requirement and vital to get right.
You are a domestic student if you are one of the following:
- A NZ citizen, which includes citizens of the Cook Island, Niue and Tokelau
- A NZ permanent resident currently living in NZ
- An Australian citizen currently living in NZ
- An Australian permanent resident with a returning resident’s visa and currently living in NZ
- Certain exchange students
- Diplomatic personnel and certain dependants
- Members of the armed forces of any country, on duty in NZ at the request of the NZ Government, or a crew member of a related transport craft
- Certain persons involved with Antarctic scientific programmes or expeditions, while in the Ross Dependency
- A learner with refugee status required to undertake a prescribed course of study or training to satisfy residency requirements
- Persons with a Limited Purpose Permit, awaiting determination of their immigration status
- Certain persons under the age of 18 placed under the care of the government department responsible for administering the Child, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989
- An international student enrolling in a recognised Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in a NZ university from 19 April 2005 and supervised by a leading NZ university researcher
If you are unsure of your status contact the Student Centre.
Domestic students - find out how to apply
International students - find out how to apply
Age: do you meet the minimum age requirements?
- There are government rules about the age of applicants who can study at tertiary level
- Minimum age when study begins: 16 for domestic students, 18 for international students
- Additional conditions apply for younger students
Student capability: how we assess your suitability for study
- We need to make sure you can achieve the academic standards of the qualification
- Factors considered include: your academic history, previous experience and other relevant information
English language requirements: ways to prove you have the required level of English
- If English, Māori or NZ Sign Language is not your first language, you need to prove you have the minimum level of English for your AUT qualification.
- We need to assess your level of English to ensure you can succeed in your programme.
- AUT University does not accept responsibility if you fail courses because of a lack of competence in English.
1. International students at NZ secondary schools
- If you are gaining University Entrance (UE) through a NZ secondary school qualification you must meet the UE literacy requirements
- You can’t replace the literacy requirements with an English language test result
- Some AUT qualifications have language requirements higher than UE literacy – for details refer to the AUT University Calendar
2. Students with school, college or university qualifications gained outside NZ
Applying on the basis of a non-NZ qualification? Use your official results for one of the following tests or qualifications to meet the English language requirements. Results can be up to 2 years old.IELTS – Academic
- Required English test for most health science degrees, teacher education qualifications and doctoral degrees
- Preferred English test for all other AUT qualifications
- If you gain UE through a NZ secondary school qualification, you can’t replace the UE literacy requirements with IELTS
- See the minimum IELTS scores you need for AUT qualifications
AUT English language programmes
- Certificate in English for Academic Study (AUT's School of Language and Culture)
- GIE (International House)
- See the minimum grades you need
Qualifications taught and assessed in English
- You can use the official results of an academic qualification completed in a country where English is the main language
- Must have been taught and assessed in English - evidence is required
- Must be at an appropriate level
Other English tests and qualifications
- Some AUT programmes may accept other evidence of English language ability – including AUT International Foundation Certificate (with appropriate grades in English), TOEFL and other university English certificates
Last updated: 30 Jan 2013 10:45am