[Holleh_Berry]

I am currently studying for my last year of A levels (year 13) within England. After I have finished my exams in the summer I am moving out with my family to go and live in Pukekohe.

I have applied to go to university in England if i change my mind and have accepted offers (with a gap year) just in case.

Yet however I am interested in going to Auckland University, but I do not know much about the university or its accommodation and when I would need to apply to start in February 2008 or what sort of grades I would need to study Geography etc

Any information would be a great help. I've looked on the website and emailed them but would love some more information.

[anna_c]

I'm posting here what I wrote in a pm, as it may be helpful for other people.

I really only know about the application procedure to Vic (in Wellington), but universities are pretty similar.

Application to uni in NZ is one hell of a lot easier than it is in the UK, as you apply directly to the institution in question. The one thing that might make it a little complicated is that you need your actual A-level certificates (not just notification of results) as they won't receive them automatically from the examining boards. If you want to apply before you get the certificates, you can probably get an offer conditional on showing the results, but you need to do so before you actually start.

Degrees are also a lot more flexible - it is, for example reasonably common to change your major after the first semester, or to go part time for a semester to get some money saved, or take a semester off and then study over the summer. It is also the norm to take a double major. There's absolutely nothing to say you have to - not everyone does, but as it doesn't tend to be anymore work it might be something to think about.

I suggest you look at the international office website to see their admission requirements for people with overseas qualifications, even though, if I understand rightly, you won't be an international student. As an example, for a BA at Vic you need three Cs at A-level to get into a BA. In practice, entrance is pretty much automatic if you had the grades (as I said, very different to the UK). Some subjects may require or recommend you take an introductory course, which still counts towards your degree, if you don't have the subject at A-level (maths and foreign languages spring to mind).

At vic you can apply for admission any time before the semester starts for a BA or BSc (and you can start in either February or July, although most people choose february) but it is recommended you apply a couple of months in advance. Check this out with Auckland. After you've applied you need to enrol (which essentially means pick your courses and sign up for them) usually in the week before the semester starts, and if you are late in getting this sorted you may miss lectures.

If you are wanting a student loan you will need to apply well in advance - they say two weeks, but they're infamous for problems, so I'd do it a couple of months ahead if possible.

[KerryS]

Anna has described the application process pretty well. If you'd like to know more about the actual Uni just ask - I worked there for 18 months and really liked it. Very different academically to British and US universities, but still great for students.
Lots of my friends over here studied there and they often reminisce about their fantastic uni days, which is half of what going to uni is all about...

[Holleh_Berry]

Thanks for the help.

I'm moving out in a couple of weeks! (About 10) and plan to go to a few open days as soon as I get over there. The only worry now is that I may not get my exam certificates in time, as I would be issued them in late October, but after what you said hopefully it will be okay if I just use the certificate I get issued with on the day I receive my results.

It seems a lot easier than it is to apply in the UK. It’s good to know that student loans don’t have to be applied for nearly 9+ months in advance.

Would you recommend applying before I moved out? Or waiting till I'm over there?

Also do you apply for accommodation at the same time or after?

[anna_c]

You should be fine as long as you have the exam certs before you enrol (ie one week before starting uni). Check it out though.

I don't see any need to apply before you get there - in fact it seems problematic around changing your address etc. I think if you're wanting to live in university accomodation you'll need to apply earlier (maybe October?).

All your concerns/questions except for those regarding A-levels seem pretty typical for any domestic student, though, so there should be plenty of opportunities to get advice on them during open days.

[Holleh_Berry]

Okay thanks! It is all finally making some sense