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 faculty office, academic staff, and our student services 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.

Financial support

Students who are not studying in Trimester 3 and returning to student 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.

For a domestic student registered with Student Health, the fee is only $27 between 5 pm and 9 pm, and on public holidays and weekends when presenting with student ID. If you attend outside those times (i.e. between 8 am and 5 pm), the consultation fee is $98. This fee will be charged at the time of your appointment with them. For international students, this fee is $200. Additional diagnostic testing, radiology, or prescription fees will be at your own cost.

Admissions and Enrolment

Admissions and Enrolment are closed between 21 December to 5 January for in-person services. From 6 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 will reopen 6.30 am Mondy 6 January 2025
  • Pipitea Fitness - Closed between 6.00 pm Friday 20 December and will reopen 11.00 am Mondy 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.