Refugee and resettled communities student support

AUT offers a range of support services that can help students from refugee backgrounds or resettled communities succeed at university in New Zealand. Find out more about how you can access our range of services and support.

Get help at the Student Hub

The AUT Student Hub is the one place to go for help while you’re studying at AUT. It can provide you with access to a range of services and support to help you succeed at AUT.

CONTACT THE STUDENT HUB

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Specific support networks at AUT

Need English language support?

If you need help to develop your English language skills you could contact:

Hear from some of our students

Rhoda Habtom Tesfazghi

Bachelor of Education

She absolutely loves studying education, says Rhoda Habtom Tesfazghi who is currently in the third year of her Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching).

Laya Rasooli

Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments

Master of Architecture (Professional)

She’s always found it fascinating how design can influence our environment, says Laya Rasooli who is studying a Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments.

Shamis Ismail

Bachelor of Health Science

He loves being able to support families who have faced the challenges of resettlement, says Shamis Ismail who is from a refugee background himself.

Chia Ngo Aye Phuting (Jessica)

Bachelor of Education

She decided to study education because she loves children and enjoys being around them, says Chia Ngo Aye Phuting (Jessica) who studied early childhood teaching.

Asma Haidari

Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery)

As a midwife, she can work with women and families during one of the most exciting and significant periods of their lives, says midwifery alumna Asma Haidari.

LweeZar Thar

Bachelor of Health Science (Oral Health)

After needing a bit of help and support when she was growing up as a refugee from Myanmar, oral health student LweeZar Thar now wants to be able to help others.

Mulisa Debela

Master of Public Health

Bachelor of Health Science

When Mulisa Debela first came to New Zealand, he arrived at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre. Now he works there himself and enjoys supporting others.

Louise Nibarema

Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery)

She wants to support women and empower them during their life-changing moments of labour and beyond, says Louise Nibarema who completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery).

Dewa Ibrahimkhil

Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing)

She had a desire to help others and make a positive difference in people's lives, says Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) student Dewa Ibrahimkhil.

How AUT supports the refugee community in New Zealand

AUT Refugee Education CentreAUT's Refugee Education Centre (in the Mangere Refugee Reception, Manukau) provides an on-arrival 6-week education programme for the 1,500 refugees who come to New Zealand each year under the government quota scheme.

AUT's Centre for Refugee Education (in the Mangere Refugee Reception, Manukau) provides an on-arrival 6-week education programme for the 1,500 refugees who come to New Zealand each year under the government quota scheme.

The Bread Collective programmeAUT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism has partnered with The Bread Collective to deliver bread making training to former refugees to connect them to employment opportunities in the baking industry in New Zealand.

AUT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism has partnered with The Bread Collective to deliver bread making training to former refugees to connect them to employment opportunities in the baking industry in New Zealand.

Tastes of HomesA cookbook featuring family recipes and stories of AUT staff, students and alumni from refugee and migrant backgrounds is now funding a scholarship to support AUT students from refugee backgrounds.

A cookbook featuring family recipes and stories of AUT staff, students and alumni from refugee and migrant backgrounds is now funding a scholarship to support AUT students from refugee backgrounds.

AUT Migrant and Refugee Research CentreAUT’s Migrant and Refugee Research Centre focuses on research to enhance the health and wellbeing of migrant and refugee populations living in Aotearoa New Zealand, and globally.

AUT’s Migrant and Refugee Research Centre focuses on research to enhance the health and wellbeing of migrant and refugee populations living in Aotearoa New Zealand, and globally.

Scholarships at AUT

You can apply for a wide range of scholarships and awards available to AUT students at all stages of their study, including for students with a refugee background or who come from resettled communities.

FIND OUT MORE

AUTSA logo

AUTSA support

AUT Student’s Association (AUTSA) has advocates who are employed to provide advice and support.

If you’re having a rough time, have a complaint or feel as though you have been let down by AUT in any way, we'll do our best to help.

We also have a diverse range of clubs and societies you can join including:

Visit AUTSA website

Making friends at AUT

students will become friends

It’s easy to meet new friends and make social connections while you’re studying at AUT. Some of the ways to meet people include:

Financial hardship support

Financial assistance is available for times when you have a financial emergency or are experiencing a period of financial difficulty, with no savings to help you get back on track. We understand this could impact your study significantly and we may be able to help with:

Food or transport vouchers
Rent arrears payments
Utilities and other living expenses
Laptop loans and data packages
Childcare