International and studying from overseas

• If your study is a requirement of your employment we need a letter of authorisation from your employer (on letterhead). This must confirm that you need to undertake this training as part of your job.

• If the study is not a requirement of your employment you need to apply for a variation of your work visa conditions (see below).

• If your work visa is for less than two years you must have appropriate insurance in place to cover medical care. (requirement of Ministry of Health/Immigration New Zealand). To meet the requirements of the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 (Part 6 Outcome 10/5) you will need to give us your evidence of insurance cover.

• If your work visa covers a period of two years or more, this is not required (Ministry of Health/Immigration New Zealand).

• If you are studying part time and gaining a qualification while on a work visa, you will not be eligible for any post study work rights. For any queries related to this information you can contact Immigration New Zealand.

If your study is not a requirement of your employment you must get a variation of your visa conditions before your enrolment can be completed. To do this you must:

• pay the international fees for the course you wish to enrol in. You will then be provided with an offer of place in order to apply to Immigration New Zealand for a variation of conditions on your visa
• when you apply to study you must include verified evidence of your right to study in New Zealand.

Learn more about options to vary the conditions of your visa and how to apply for a variation of conditions:

Varying the conditions of a work visa - Immigration New Zealand website

Can I study part-time while I work? - Immigration New Zealand website

• New Zealand Citizens living overseas – pay domestic fees (less GST).
• New Zealand residents living overseas – pay international course fees.
• International learners living overseas – pay international course fees.

All overseas learners must also pay an international handling charge.

Fee information is on the qualification page in the table in the Choose courses tab, or on the course page. You can also check our study fee page.

Study fee information

When you are studying from overseas you can also sit any examinations you may need to sit overseas. There may be costs associated with this, and you will need to organise a venue, which we will help you with.

Sitting exams from overseas

Open Polytechnic has agreed to observe and be bound by the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.

See the learner rights and conduct page to get a copy of the Code of Practice. Here you will also find information about immigration, health services and insurance in the International Students section.

Learner rights and conduct

Open Polytechnic has a complaints and concerns process for all learners.

Complaints and concerns

As an international learner, if you have a complaint or concern it is important that you follow this process. It will help us to work with you to resolve your complaint.

If we cannot resolve your complaint or concern you can contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). NZQA will provide an independent assessment and advice about your complaint.

You can submit your complaint on the NZQA website or to the email address below:

qadrisk@nzqa.govt.nz

When you finish your study, we can help you to continue to study at partner education provider in New Zealand. Get in touch for more information.

Contact us