New Zealand Study Abroad Program at Massey University
About Massey University in New Zealand
- Required GPA: 2.75 (4.0 scale)
- Application deadlines: November 1 for Semester 1 (Feb-June) and Calendar year (Feb-Nov)
April 1 for Semester 2 (July-Nov) and Academic year (July-June)
- Program advisor: Chris Dixon
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Program Snapshot
Kia ora! We're so excited that you're preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen Massey University as your destination. We're sure you're going to love studying there!
There are just a few more forms to complete before your application is ready to be submitted to Massey for an admissions decision. The forms can be found under the Forms tab.
What Massey has to offer
- An 80-year tradition of academic and research excellence
- A major, comprehensive institution with five colleges and 38 academic departments, institutes and schools
- Friendly and intellectually stimulating
- Three campuses, each with its own distinctive character and wide range of amenities and services
- "Innovative Campus" at Albany in suburban Auckland, New Zealand's largest city
- Main campus at Palmerston North, a beautiful, 400-acre site near the vibrant city center
- "Creative Campus" at Wellington, located in the arts precinct of the city
- Active student associations on each campus sponsor clubs and societies, events and student services
Housing
- Housing is with other international students and New Zealanders in apartments or residence halls on or near each campus
- Meal plans are available at Palmerston North
- Kitchen facilities in apartment-style housing are available at all three campuses
Academics
Academic Structure
Massey University is a semester or yearlong study abroad program. Students take 4 classes each semester.
Courses
Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
- Open the Massey University online course catalog.
- In the middle of the page, click the orange "Online Course Catalog" link
- You must search for your classes using the following criteria:
- Search by main locations: Choose Palmerston North, Auckland, or Wellington. You cannot take courses at more than one campus.
- Search by semester: Choose semester 1 (U.S. spring) or semester 2 (U.S. fall), depending on which semester you plan to study abroad.
- Search by mode: As a study abroad student, you may take only courses offered as "Internal"
- Search by level: You should search for courses at the 100, 200 and 300 levels
- Search by subject: Choose the subject that interests you.
What departments can I study in?
As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.
For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following:
- When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the New Zealand academic system is an intensive, three-year program..
- First-year (100-level) courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little or no prior experience.
- Second-year (200-level) courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.
- Third-year (300-level) courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.
- Fourth-year (400-level) courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.
- Remember in New Zealand, U.S. fall semester = semester 2 and U.S. spring semester = semester 1. Be sure to select courses for the correct semester you are studying abroad.
- You can only take year long courses if you plan to study abroad for the calendar year (semesters 1 and 2, in that order).
- Study abroad students may take "internal" mode classes only. You will not be permitted to enroll in "external" or "block" mode classes.
Course Registration
You must take a full course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A–F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.
You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.
Credits
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. The number of courses you take depends on the credit value of the courses you select. For information on the credit weight, please consult see below.
15 Points at Massey = 4 U.S. semester credit hours
20 Points at Auckland = 5 U.S. semester credit hours
Exams
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting an academic record query for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.Exams content...
Transcripts
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit and grades you earned at Massey University. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.
Housing
Housing Options
What are my housing options?
The following housing options are available during your semester or year abroad. Click here to read more details about these options.
- Albany Campus – Self-catered apartments
- Students at the Albany campus share double bedrooms and bathroom facilities with local and international students. No meal plans are available.
- Lucas Creek Village – seven or three bedrooms
- Millennium Village – four bedrooms
- Casa Bella Apartments – four bedrooms, mostly postgraduate students
- Palmerston North Campus – Catered Halls of Residence
- Students in catered halls eat meals at a central dining facility on campus. Students have single bedrooms with shared bathroom facilities. Most halls have shared kitchens for snacks. Click the name of the hall for more information. See a map at http://tinyurl.com/MAShousing.
- Colombo and McHardy Halls – alcohol free halls
- Matai, Totara, Miro, Tawa Halls
- Moginie Hall
- Bindaloe and Craiglockhart - single gender halls
- Walter Dyer Hall
- City and Egmont Courts
- Wellington Campus – Self-catered apartments
- Students are in single bedrooms in shared apartments or in two-person studio apartments.
- Basin Reserve - five bedrooms or double studio; single-studio apartments not available
- The Cube – five or three bedrooms or double studio
Meals
Meal plans are available at Palmerston North. All other campuses are self-catered only.
Housing FAQs
When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in New Zealand for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.
Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.
Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
Yes. IFSA-Butler requires a refundable housing deposit of $300 before going abroad. We will return this deposit to you after March 1 for fall programs or September 1 for spring and year programs, less any fines, damages or outstanding debts in your name.
Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.
Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by December 1 for spring and semester 1 programs or by May 1 for fall and semester 2 programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after these dates.
Location Info
Auckland
Population: 1.4 million
Location: North Island
City features
- Enjoys a spectacular location between two harbors
- Offers great opportunities for paddleboarding, sea kayaking, sailing and more
- Sophisticated, multicultural and urban
- Home to one-third of New Zealand's population
- The best nightlife in the country, with cutting-edge Kiwi bands playing in clubs and bars
Do more!
- Visit the gorgeous beaches nearby for water skiing, sea kayaking and sailing
- Take advantage of the countless opportunities for outdoor adventure just outside the city, including 37,000 acres of parkland
- Visit the geysers and mudpools of Rotorua, located halfway between Auckland and Wellington
- Explore the Northland, Coromandel and Bay of Islands areas
Links
Auckland A-Z
Auckland Tourism
Auckland City Council
Regional Tourism Map
Pure New Zealand
Auckland News
Palmerston North
Population: 75,000
Location: North Island
City features
- A sophisticated city in a friendly setting
- Offers libraries, museums, professional theatre, a multiplex cinema, boutiques, restaurants and cafes
- Excellent sporting and cultural facilities include a national sports stadium, the Institute of Sport and Rugby and many local marae
- The historic Regent Theatre attracts national and international performers
Do more!
- Explore a region known for its spectacular parks, reserves and outdoor adventure opportunities
- Take a two-hour road trip to Wellington
- Visit the Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Wairarapa and Horowhenua regions, all great spots for outdoor activity
- Take advantage of the opportunities to go skiing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, fishing, boating, sailing, hiking or surfing
Links
Destination Manawatu
Regional Tourism Map
SportManawatu
Ski New Zealand
Palmerston North City Council
Pure New Zealand
Palmerston North News
Wellington
Population: 400,000
Location: North Island
City features
- New Zealand's political, cultural and creative capital city
- A vibrant, cosmopolitan, compact city offering a temperate climate and beautiful natural scenery with the harbor and surrounding bush
- Offers tons of big-city attractions, including the national museum Te Papa Tongarewa, International Festival of the Arts and a variety of international and local sporting events throughout the year
Do more!
- Watch world-class rugby, soccer and cricket at the Westpac Stadium
- Take advantage of the region's many recreational and sporting activities, including surfing, kayaking, mountain biking, bushwalking and fishing
- Head north to the mud pools, geysers and hot springs at Rotorua or the mountain range at Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo
- Take the Cook Strait Ferry from Wellington to the South Island and visit the Marlborough vineyards and Abel Tasman National Park's beautiful beaches and outdoor activities
Links
Welcome to Wellington
WellingtonNZ.com
Wellington Tourism
Wellington News
Regional Tourism Map
Pure New Zealand
Dates & Fees
Program Dates
 Please wait - Loading Dates... * All students must arrive in Auckland by this date.
Your program end date may change due to circumstances beyond IFSA-Butler's control. Upon arrival at your host university, be sure to verify your exam schedule and program end date. We also strongly recommend that you investigate fees and penalties associated with your airline tickets in case you need to make date or route changes.
Exams must be taken where and when scheduled. Under no circumstances may students request that an exam time be changed. In New Zealand exams are taken under formal examination conditions, and changes cannot be made for individuals.
All program support services end on the “Program ends” date.
Program Fees
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What's included in our New Zealand program fees
Expense calculator
Calendar Year and Semester 1 Payments Due: December 15
Academic Year and Semester 2 Payments Due: May 15
Program Fee Bills
IFSA-Butler will send a single bill for the entire program fee, which includes tuition, services and housing. Students who opt for independent housing will not be charged the housing component of the program fee.
Housing
The housing component of our program fee is based on the average cost of local student self-catering accommodation, usually a shared room in a regular dormitory, apartment or house without any extra features.
† Housing Deposit
This program requires a housing deposit of $300. This payment is in addition to the program fee but is due on the same date. The deposit is held separately from the program fee and should be paid separately. The deposit is refunded to the student after the program, less any damages, fines or outstanding debts in the student’s name.
Personal Cost Estimates
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Expense calculator
These figures are designed to assist students with financial planning but are only estimates based on past students’ experiences at the current exchange rate. They do not include any entertainment or vacation travel costs.
The above numbers are general estimates of expenses during a program abroad. We recommend taking into account your current spending habits, the cost of living in your host country and the current exchange rate. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor can be helpful as you attempt to work on a personal budget for your experience abroad.
Personal Miscellaneous: Covers general expenses of college life, including course supplies, photocopying, toiletries, snacks, personal care, etc.
All costs are in U.S. dollars.
Forms
Applicants to the program at Massey University must complete two additional forms. Please download, print and complete the following:
We must receive these forms before we can send your application to Massey University for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.
If you have already started an application to the Massey program, you can check the status of your application using the student portal.
Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team
IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in New Zealand:
 Program Advisor Chris Dixon assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Chris can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, extn. 4266. Chris has been with the Institute for Study Abroad for the past 3 years. After studying abroad himself several times as an undergraduate, Chris earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations and came to work for IFSA-Butler. He currently acts as a program advisor for English-speaking programs and focuses on advising students studying in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.
 Student Accounts Coordinator Becki Niccum assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Becki can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-3077.
Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler since 2000, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.
Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our New Zealand staff, including Resident Director Amy Rutherford. Click here to read more about Amy.
 Upon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Sara Bell processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Sara can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4261.
Internships
Communications Internships at Massey University
The Massey communications internship is available for Wellington campus students. The internship enables you to integrate experience with knowledge of communication theory. In addition, the internship will enhance your skills in communication, along with skills in information acquisition and independent research. Placements are available in a wide range of businesses and organizations; past interns have worked at the following:
- Arohanui Hospice
- Carlin Valenti
- Charity Gaming Association (CGA)
- CV Bank/Creative HQ
- Four Winds Communications
- Ideas Shop
- Jumprope
- Manawatu Turbos
- Massey Communications and Marketing
- McDonnell Consulting Group
- Ministry of Health
- NZ Food Safety Authority
- NZ Police (Wellington)
- NZ Post
- Radio New Zealand
- Ronald McDonald House (Wellington)
- Run the Red
- Special Olympics NZ
- Senate Communication Counsel
- Sport Manawatu
- The Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Society of Canterbury
- The New Dowse/Petone Settlers Museum
- Total Media
- Toyota
- Unicef
- Waikato Times
- The Wellingtonian
Applicants must be communications majors in their junior or senior year, with at least one 300-level communications course completed. Preference will be given to full-year students. The internship is worth 4 U.S. semester credit hours.
If you are interested in applying for the internship, please send your IFSA-Butler program advisor a resume and a statement of purpose outlining what type of internship you would like, as well as a letter of recommendation from a professor or advisor that indicates you would be good candidate for an internship.
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