Why choose NZMA? | For Students
Information for students
Whether you're a student or thinking about studying, we have lots of helpful information to get you started and make the most of studying with NZMA.
Before You Apply
At NZMA we are committed to offering quality learning. We are ranked as a Category 1 provider on NZQA’s EER rating which is the best rating possible for providers.
This means that we are on the highest tier of private tertiary educators and operate under a four year NZQA External Evaluation and Review (EER) cycle. NZMA’s most recent EER was in 2022, where we retained our Category 1 status.
Click here to read the full report.
Our Course Advisors will support and guide students through the loan application process.
You can check out the Studylink website for more information on how to apply, what you can get, eligibility & more - https://www.studylink.govt.nz/products/a-z-products/student-loan/index.html
Post Applying
We’ll contact you to arrange a time to meet with one of our course advisors to discuss your study options and take a tour of the campus. Once you’ve been accepted into a course, we’ll issue your official acceptance letter and you can then apply for a student loan and/or allowance through Studylink.
If you’re moving to Auckland or Hamilton from out of town to study with us (or you’re just plain itching to move out of home), we can help you find accommodation.
Flatting is usually the cheapest option. If you move into an already-established flat you probably won’t have to put your name on the tenancy agreement. This makes it easier to move out when you want to.
Here are some great websites to get you started:
If you’d prefer to rent a property yourself, StudyLink may be able to help with start-up costs like the bond.
Once you’ve found a property you’re interested in, book an appointment with them. Prepare a budget to show them so they can see whether or not you can afford to pay the rent. Also take in your tenancy agreement. A tenancy agreement (or lease) is a binding contract, so it’s important you don’t sign anything (or even verbally agree to anything) until you’re sure it’s what you want.
There are two types of leases – fixed term or periodical. In a fixed term lease you’re responsible for the property (and paying the rent) for the agreed time period. If your circumstances change and you need to move out, it’s still up to you to pay the rent until you find someone the property manager agrees to, who is willing to take over the lease. With a periodical lease, you just need to give three weeks notice if you want to move out.
For more information about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant check out the Tenancy Service's website or call 0800 836 262.
Take a look at these websites for some good rental properties:
Most of our classes have between 20 and 25 students, although occasionally there’ll be more students in lecture-type sessions.
Fees
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free, or to check your eligibility for Final Year Fees Free study under the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Courses vary, for a list of domestic course costs click here.
If you’re a New Zealand or Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident then you can apply for a student loan and/or allowance. Your Course Advisor will be able to help you with your application and answer any questions you might have.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) requires private training establishments (PTEs) to provide security for the repayment of prepaid fees should NZMA be unable to deliver the course in the event of a course closure.
The Student Fee Protection Mechanism in place at NZMA is an NZQA approved Static Trust backed by a Bank Bond. 100% of student fees paid in advance to NZMA are held separately by Public Trust in the trust account, and paid to NZMA over time, as the course is delivered to the student.
Where student is eligible for a refund (including course cessation/course closure), NZMA will endeavour to refund fees to the party that paid them i.e. the Ministry of Social Development (Studylink) or Inland Revenue in the case of student loans, or directly to the Student, or to any other party nominated by the Student.
Withdrawal within the refund period
All tuition fees will be refunded minus a deduction of 10% of the fees paid or $500.00 (whichever is the lesser amount) where withdrawal occurs within the refund period.
Refund Period starts when the fees are paid and ends 8 calendar days after and including the scheduled start date of the programme.
Programme Start Date refers to scheduled first day of the programme, or any other day that NZMA permits the student to begin attendance/study. The exception to this is distance learners, for whom the Start Date is the date of the student’s first login to the LMS.
Withdrawal outside the refund period
Where a student wishes to withdraw their enrolment on a programme, they are to notify the campus in writing of their intention to withdraw.
Refund period expires on or after 9 calendar days of programme’s start date.
There is no refund entitlement where withdrawal occurs after the refund period has expired.
Consideration of refund outside of the refund period may be given where there are exceptional circumstances, and where an application for a refund is made by the student within 1 month of the last day attended.
There will be no refund where a student has been expelled for breach of regulations as outlined in the published student handbook, has not filled out an accurate enrolment application and the contract terminated, or, excluding course cessation and/or closure events - wants to transfer to another provider.
Each year NZMA provides a range of services to students to enhance campus life and student wellbeing. These services are provided over and above the teaching and education delivery at each campus and are funded through the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The fee funds key services such as:
Careers advice, guidance and employment information
Counselling services
Advocacy and Legal Advice
Financial support and advice
Sport, Recreation and cultural services
Health Services
NZMA has consulted with students on the Student Services Levy for 2025. The CSSF will remain at $400 per Equivalent Full Time Student.
As part of the Ministry of Education’s direction, we are required to report on how these fees are charged and spent which is available in the NZMA annual report. We must include students or their representatives when deciding on the following:
Maximum amount that students will pay
Types of services delivered
Procurement of these services
Method for authorising expenditure on these services.
To find out more contact your Campus Manager or you can read our latest CSSF Report here.
The Student Fee Protection Mechanism in place at NZMA is an NZQA approved Static Trust backed by a Bank Bond. 100% of student fees paid in advance to NZMA are held separately by Public Trust in the trust account, and paid to NZMA over time, as the course is delivered to the student.
NZMA reserves the right to postpone or cancel courses due to insufficient demand, unavailability of suitable training staff or facilities or similar disruption. Students enrolled on the postponed or cancelled course, will be advised and offered alternative training dates or a full refund.
In the event that NZMA ceases to offer a course or closes, affected students may choose between continuing study with an alternative campus or provider (where available) or receiving a Pro Rata Refund of prepaid student fees, for the balance of the course based on the number of full weeks required to complete the course.
Students are entitled to either give two weeks notice or forfeit two weeks of homestay fees. The remainder of the fees will then be refunded to the student.
On Campus
That’s induction week! You’ll get to meet your classmates, learn about the campus and have a whole lot of fun. We’ll also outline our rules and regulations and you’ll sit some evaluations. This will help your tutors tailor their teaching style to best suit your needs.
We offer a range of events and activities including sports day, kapa haka and other ethnic cultural groups, cultural days and activities during the induction period to engage and build relationships amongst the students.
Whānau days are also held to invite and engage friends and family in the student learning process during the course of study.
NZQA has released a series of videos outlining what support people can expect for their wellbeing and safety while undertaking tertiary study. Watch the videos here.
Learner health, safety and wellbeing
NZMA is committed to ensuring that all learners/ākonga feel safe and supported while in our care.
NZMA believes that the health, safety and wellbeing of all members of its community is among its highest priorities as a part of our commitment to ensuring we provide positive education experiences to all learners.
NZMA is committed to the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing through continual improvement and the control of risk. All NZMA operational strategies developed put the learner firmly at the heart, and the following three goals guide NZMA operational strategies:
Demonstrate excellent health, safety and wellbeing practices
Demonstrate excellent pastoral care practices
Enhance learner feedback capture and learner input into decision making
Learner Support
If you are experiencing any issues that you feel are hindering your learning experience, please contact your Campus Manager, Campus Administrator or Learner Success Lead for support.
Each NZMA Campus has a team available to make sure you succeed in your studies and achieve your goals. To meet or speak with a member of the campus team for support, please contact your closest NZMA Campus here.
Neurodiverse and Disabled Learner Support
If you're one of our students and you have an impairment or disability, medical condition, or injury that might affect your studies, we are actively looking at how we can support you.
We want everyone to be successful and reach their full potential, and we believe in creating a campus environment that's safe, inclusive, and free from any kind of discrimination.
So, what exactly does this mean for you?
Well, when you first enrol at NZMA, we’ll ask if there's any specific support you need or if there are any barriers you think you might encounter during your studies. This information is kept confidential, so you don't have to worry about anyone else finding out about it without your permission.
Your class tutor will meet with you individually in your first couple of weeks with us to better understand your learning needs, and with you put a plan in place to better support you through your learning journey. We also have Learner Success Leads, who support our tutors in developing effective learning strategies with you.
NZMA has developed the following three goals for the next three year (2024 – 2027) as part of its strategy in supporting our neurodiverse and disabled learners:
Goal one - Disabled learners have a strengths-based learning experience that engages, nurtures, and respects them as individuals.
Goal two - Grow staff capabilities and confidence to better support our disabled learners to achieve equitable outcomes.
Goal three - Increase disabled learner voice at all stages of their learning journey – with sustainable mechanisms
NZMA has documented how it will achieve these goals along with measures of success in its Disability Action Plan 2024 – 2027.
Our Career and Employment navigators will help you with valuable job hunting skills, like CV writing and interview techniques, help you find part-time work while you study and full-time work once you graduate. We partner with many of New Zealand’s leading employers – you’ll meet lots of them through our seminars, career days, work experience opportunities and industry functions.
Other
The School/College has a set procedure to resolve complaints.
If the complaint is unable to be resolved satisfactorily within the School/College it can be taken to the Campus Principal/Manager.
Full details can be found in the student handbook. If it is still not resolved then the complaint can be taken to NZQA. If you have a financial or contractual dispute NZQA will refer you to the Student Dispute Resolution Scheme (DRS) Operator.
The NZQA website gives instructions on how to make a complaint about a provider/use the DRS, click here to go to the page.
You can also contact NZQA at risk@nzqa.govt.nz or 0800 697 296 for information on the process.
NZMA is part of Up Education and is ranked a Category 1 provider by NZQA – which is their highest rating.
The Executive Team and Board are responsible for the governance of the organisation. The Board meets monthly to:
Discuss NZMA’s strategic direction
Review financial performance
Determine business objectives
Select management to operationalise policies and objectives
The Senior Management Team (comprised of the Chief Executive and Directors) communicates daily, and takes care of the on-going operations of the business.