Adult and Tertiary Education
All Universities, polytechnics and tertiary education providers welcome students with migrant and refugee backgrounds. Check the Tertiary Education Commission for information about universities, polytechnics and other tertiary providers including on-job trade training. StudyLink provides information about student loans, allowances and scholarships for tertiary study. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority can evaluate your existing qualifications (see below for more details). Other than tertiary education, there are several organisations that provide educational opportunities and training for adults at different stages of professional development. Your Community Navigator can direct you to specific institutions in your region.
Recognition of Overseas University Qualifications
Student Allowance
How To Apply
The steps to follow are different depending on whether:
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You are applying for the first time
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You received this benefit in the last 12 months and are going to resume your studies
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You received this benefit more than 12 months ago
Apply online on the studylink.govt.nz website.
RASNZ Study Support for Refugee Women
Refugees as Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ) is a general welfare and mental health service for refugees coming to live in New Zealand. This organisation provides support to facilitate the process of settlement in a new culture, specifically for those young women who have made the decision to continue their studies at a tertiary level. RASNZ offers the "Sir Robert Jones Scholarship" which helps young women who lack financial support to cover the cost of their full-time studies.
When the young woman is studying away from home, this scholarship also offers the possibility of financing accommodation for two years. Eligibility for the scholarship is restricted to those aged 18-25, who are studying at a recognised higher education institution, who are experiencing financial hardship, and who can provide evidence of the ability to complete their studies satisfactorily.
For more information: https://rasnz.co.nz/scholarship/
To apply for a job or a tertiary qualification in New Zealand, you may need to have your existing qualifications assessed. The New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) assesses whether qualifications which people have obtained overseas can be recognised in this country. The duration, content, continuity, and quality of overseas qualifications is examined in an International Qualification Assessment (IQA), which takes New Zealand standards in the given field as a reference point. Once the evaluation has been completed, the NZQA will inform you of the results by assigning your studies a "level." This information is useful for many purposes, including:
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visa processes
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continuing secondary studies in NZ
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obtaining registration as a teacher
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for remuneration purposes in the area of education
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for general employability.
The fee for initiating this process is $445, and it takes about a month, starting from when you first contact the person who is to evaluate your case. It is important remember that carrying out the evaluation will require you to provide all the documents of your original higher studies, including official translations into English.
For more information, visit: www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/international-qualifications/international-qualification-assessment-iqa
If you are a tertiary student and you meet the requirements, you can apply for a benefit to cover your basic expenses. This student allowance is money that the government gives you to help cover your living expenses while your time is devoted to studying in higher education. The student allowance does not need to be repaid. The organisation which administers the allowance is called StudyLink. For more information, see the StudyLink website: studylink.govt.nz
To receive a student allowance, you must:
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be a citizen of New Zealand, OR have been a permanent resident for at least the last 3 years, OR be a refugee or protected person, OR be sponsored by someone in your family who is a refugee or protected person
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be between 18 and 65 years old
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be studying full time.
There are some exceptions for people between the ages of 16 and 17 who are studying part-time. There are also certain requirements about where and what you can be studying.
You may be eligible if you are:
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enrolled in an approved tertiary education institution, following an approved curriculum that is:
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a course of level 7 or lower, or
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a bachelor's degree
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abroad, but studying through an approved study centre in New Zealand
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in secondary education.
The amount of benefit you receive will depend on your income and your situation:
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If you are under the age of 24 and without children, your parents' income will be considered when assessing your level of need.
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If you are 24 years or older, with children in your care, your income and your partner's income (if any) will be considered.
