Studying over summer

Find out more about using student services and get key tips for making the most of the summer months.

Whether you are taking a course in Trimester 3, or preparing for study in Trimester 1, your Student Success team, academic staff, and our student service teams are here to support you—get in touch with them if you have questions or need advice. You can access our services both on campus and online, depending on how you are studying with us.

Three students walking together on the waterfront, by sunny weather.

Student life during the summer

The summer is a great time to brush up on your study skills, take care of your wellbeing, and expand your horizons by trying something new.

More about what's on offer over the summer

Getting ready to study

If you're preparing this summer to start studying in Trimester 1, check out our information for new students—including the timetable for New Students' Orientation week.

Information for new students

Wellbeing and safety support from external services

In a life-threatening emergency or if you are concerned about your safety or the safety of someone you care for, call the emergency services on 111 for an immediate response or visit your nearest emergency department.

To discuss your own or someone else’s acute mental health needs phone Crisis Resolution Services (CRS) Te Haika on 0800 745 477 (available 24 hours).

To talk to someone about non-crisis wellbeing issues contact Need To Talk on 1737 (available 24 hours).

To talk to someone about sexually harmful behaviour contact Safe To Talk on 0800 044 334 (available 24 hours).

To talk to someone about family/domestic violence call Shine’s Helpline on 0508 744 633.

Financial support

Student Finance Adviser appointments are closed between 21 December and 5 January. Standard appointments resume Monday, 6 January. You can book online through our booking page.

Student Fee Advisers are available to assist with Studylink, tuition fee and payment enquiries. They are closed 24 December to 2 January. Contact them at student-finance@vuw.ac.nz or call 0800 04 04 04

Students who are not studying in Trimester 3 and returning to study in Trimester 1 can apply for the Jobseeker Support Student Hardship assistance through StudyLink.

If you have to pay for something urgently, get an unexpected bill, or have a personal emergency, StudyLink may be able to help.

Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling

If you are leaving Wellington over the summer months and are registered with Mauri Ora, remember to order your repeat prescription as far as possible in advance of your travels.

Our hours during the holiday period:

23 December: 8.30 am–5 pm
24 December: 8.30 am–noon
27, 30, 31 December: 9 am–3 pm
3 January: 9 am–3 pm.

We are closed between 25 and 26 December 2024; 1 and 2 January 2025.

Normal business hours resume on 6 January 2025.

To access medical treatment after-hours, students registered with student health will be given details on how to access Practice Plus, our free virtual after hours service.

If you need to get medical treatment outside of our normal hours, you can talk to a GP online through Practice Plus or go to the Wellington After Hours clinic.

Call us on +64 4 463 5308 to book an appointment.

After hours medical centre

You can also go to the Wellington After Hours Medical Centre at 17 Adelaide Road, Mt Cook, Wellington. They are open between 8 am and 9 pm, Monday to Sunday.

Admissions and Enrolment

Admissions and Enrolment are closed between 24 December to 2 January for in-person services. From 3 January regular hours resume. They can be contacted by emailing info@vuw.ac.nz or calling 0800 04 04 04

International students

International Student Experience is closed between 21 December and 5 January.

For currently enrolled international students in New Zealand, if you have an emergency such as hospitalisation, an accident, or other significant event that you need assistance with, please contact the international student emergency phone on +64 27 600 6864.

If your call is not an emergency, please contact us on +64 4 463 5350 after 5 January.

For medical emergencies, call 111 within New Zealand.

For visa or Immigration queries, contact INZ on +64 508 558855 or +64 4 910 9915.

Library

Our holiday closedown period is between 21 December 2024 and 5 January 2025.

Regular hours resume on 6 January 2025.

University Recreation Wellington

The Recreation Centre—Kelburn is currently operating under summer opening hours:

Monday–Thursday: 6.30 am–9.30 pm
Friday: 6.30 am–8 pm
Weekends: 9 am–6 pm.

Closure Period

Kelburn: Closed between 9.30 pm Thursday 19 December and 6.30 am Monday 6 January 2025
Pipitea Fitness: Closed between 6 pm Friday 20 December and 11 am Monday 6 January 2025.

University retailers and eateries

For information on the opening hours of our retailers and cafes, visit the Food and drink and Healthcare, banking and shops pages.

Ngā ākonga

Current students