Information for Study Abroad and Exchange partners
Step-by-step information and instructions on the Study Abroad and Exchange process
On this page
Key dates & deadlines - 2025 Academic year
Please visit the key dates page for university-wide dates and deadlines.
Trimester 1, 2025 (February - June) | Trimester 2, 2025 (July - November) |
Nomination deadline: 15 October 2024 | Nomination deadline: 15 April 2025 |
Application deadline: 1 December 2024 | Application deadline: 1 May 2025 |
Exchange orientation: 17 February | Exchange orientation: 30 June |
Classes start: 24 February | Classes start: 7 July |
Mid-trimester break: 12 April - 27 April | Mid-trimester break: 16 August – 31 August |
Last day of classes: 30 May | Last day of classes: 10 October |
Exam period: 9 - 21 June | Exam period: 17 October – 8 November |
AccommodationApplications close for Trimester 1 on 1 October 2024; applications received after this date will be placed in a waiting pool as halls continue to review applications. Applications for Trimester 2 open from 1 April 2025. | |
Key notes
- Trimester 3 runs from November to February (the “summer trimester”). Study Abroad and Exchange students cannot apply for admission for Trimester 3.
- Students starting in Trimester 2 and staying for two trimesters will take a break over the summer period (November – February) and resume study at the start of Trimester 1.
- Students should not confirm return ticket dates until the exam timetable is released. Exams dates cannot be changed.
International Orientation
Orientation is held the week before classes commence. Orientation schedules are released a few weeks before orientation. The latest information on orientation dates is available here.
Nomination procedure
All students must be nominated via the Nomination form to Victoria University of Wellington by the home university’s Study Abroad and Exchange Office or Provider before their application documents are submitted. Nominations may be submitted at any time up until the application deadlines for the relevant trimester.
For exchange students only, email student-exchange@vuw.ac.nz first to check how many students we can accept if we have not advised previously.
Application procedure
Applications for incoming study abroad and exchange students must be submitted online.
- Applications may be submitted at any time prior to the relevant deadline.
- Hard copies of application documents are not required.
For partners applying on behalf of students or reviewing student documents, apply and view applications using the Partner Application Portal.
For students applying themselves, student should be directed to our student portal, Pūaha, to apply directly.
Documents to prepare to upload for the application
- Passport – verified or certified (see below)
- Academic transcript – scanned official copy, verified, or certified (see below)
- If the academic transcript is not in English, it must be translated into English by the home university or other official bodies; online translation or translation by the student cannot be accepted.
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
- Some courses, such as architecture, design, music, and creative writing, require additional supporting documents. Please refer to the Study Abroad and Exchange restrictions page to check which courses are restricted or have additional document requirements.
Verified or certified documents
All student passport copies and academic transcripts must be verified or certified by the university Partner or Provider to complete an application.
- Partners and Providers using the Partner Application Portal can verify the documents by viewing them online in the Partner Application Portal. If you use the portal, we trust that you have verified the authenticity of the documents.
- Partners not using the portal can email the key contact scanned copies of the passport and academic transcript.
- For Partners not assisting students with their application documents, students will need to submit certified documents with their online application. Home universities can certify documents.
Admission requirements
- Applicants must have completed at least one year of Bachelor’s study at a recognised institution with a 2.7GPA (USA), B-, or equivalent, prior to arrival.
- First Year Study Abroad (GAP Year) applicants must meet the Undergraduate Entry requirements for the country they completed High School. Details can be found here, search by country.
- Proof of English (if required)
English requirements
- Please refer to the Study Abroad and Exchange ‘Apply and contact’ page to see if Proof of English is required by selecting your programme level and country location of your university.
Some partner universities have a previous arrangement which allows them to provide a letter “guaranteeing a sufficient level of English to undertake a full course load at Victoria University of Wellington” in place of tests. This letter should explicitly attest to a level of English proficiency with reference to a recognised framework such as CEFR, or a grading scale used by ILETS or TOEFL, and show the level is equal to or higher than our official requirements.
Course information
Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 45 points to be considered a full-time student and meet NZ visa requirements. 60 points (3-4 courses) per trimester is the maximum and recommended course load for students.
- 1 point at Victoria University of Wellington is equivalent to 0.5 ECTS/0.25 US Credits. 1 point typically requires 10 hours of student work (lectures, labs, study time etc).
Information about how to select courses and course levels can be found on our Study Abroad and Exchange pages. To search courses offered each year, see our Course finder. See examples of popular courses for Study Abroad and Exchange students.
Once a student has applied and received their Offer, they will also receive an email asking them to submit courses to be approved prior to enrolment. Find out more about the Course Approval process.
Accommodation
Applying for Accommodation
- Students should apply for their accommodation as soon as possible and not wait for acceptance to Victoria University of Wellington. Academic admission is not required in order to apply.
- Students should submit their accommodation application by the deadline in order to be considered in the first selection round and have the best chance receiving a place in university accommodation.
- Full-year accommodation from T2 to T1 is possible.
- Catered Halls are generally only available for students under 20 years of age.
Accommodation website and application
All questions regarding accommodation applications should be directed to the Accommodation Service.
Transcript and Grading Scale
One official digital transcript will be sent to the student after final grade release, only at the end of a student’s study period. A transcript will be withheld if the student has any outstanding fees with the University.
Our Study Abroad Providers will also be sent copies of the e-transcripts for each of your students via email.
In the case that additional or hard copies are required, students can request an additional copy from Victoria University of Wellington for a small fee.
Grading scale information can be found on our Victoria University of Wellington Grading scale page.
Fees for 2025
Study Abroad Tuition Fees | One Trimester: NZD$13,500 (Not applicable to Exchange Students) |
Insurance | Per Trimester (up to 6 months): NZD$428 (6 month periods: 24 February- 23 August 2025 / 1 July – 30 December 2025) |
Accommodation | Accommodation Fees for each individual hall of residence is available in the hall comparison profiles |
Student Levies | Per Trimester (60 points) NZD $552 (2025 rates TBC) (Not applicable to Exchange Students) |
Application | No fee. |
Insurance Fees
All international students are automatically signed up to the Studentsafe Inbound University insurance and pay for this upon enrolment at Victoria University of Wellington. This policy provides comprehensive cover throughout the course of study and also covers the insured student’s travel to New Zealand and time spent in New Zealand up to 31 days before the start of their courses. This retrospective cover is provided automatically, irrespective of whether the student has paid the insurance premium in advance or not.
Refer to our Insurance information and Studentsafe Inbound University policy for more information.
Additional Fees & Cost of Living
Students are responsible for course-related costs (such as lab fees, etc.) which vary depending on the course and which must be paid to the University. Students also need to purchase their course-related materials as required (textbooks, student notes, stationery, etc.).
See information on Fees & Costs. For budgeting advice, please refer to the Students’ Financial Survival Guide.
Paying Fees
Student paying directly pay for certain parts of their stay (e.g., tuition fees, accommodation, insurance) and are responsible for completing payment by the required date, normally in advance of arrival, with the exception of insurance.
Partner University or Provider paying will be invoiced for fees associated with the student as per the arrangement with our university; these fees can include tuition fees, student levies, accommodation, and health and travel insurance. The invoice will be sent to the contact provided approximately 1-2 months after the start of classes.
Withdrawals
Please see our university course withdrawal policy. If a student withdraws before our withdrawal dates listed, there is no academic penalty fees.
Accommodation withdrawal charges can be found here.
Agreements
Direct all queries regarding agreement renewals, expansions, or the establishment of new student abroad and exchange partnerships to student-exchange@vuw.ac.nz.