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New Zealand Study Abroad Program at University of Auckland

About University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand

Required GPA: 3.0 (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

Program Snapshot

Kia ora! We're so excited that you're preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen the University of Auckland as your destination. The university is located right in the heart of New Zealand's largest city, which provides you with plenty of opportunities to experience both the city and outdoor life of New Zealand. 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 the University of Auckland for an admissions decision. The forms can be found under the Forms tab.

What Auckland has to offer

A city campus buffered by parkland
A great environment for the independent student
Ranks in the top 1 percent of the world's universities
A bookstore, student-run radio station, recreation center, cafeteria, health service,psychology clinic, dental clinic, counseling service, post office, bank and student travel office, all located on campus
iSPACE lounge dedicated to international students
A new library, the largest in New Zealand
An arts center, theatre, recreation center and student union
An active students association sponsors a full range of social, political, cultural and athletic activities, including more than 100 clubs and societies

Housing

Housing is with other international students and a small number of New Zealanders in student apartments a short walk from campus
Excellent facilities include a games room, outdoor recreation area, swimming pool, student lounges and organized transportation to the supermarket
Students prepare their own meals

Academics

Academic Structure

University of Auckland 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 University of Auckland online course cataog.
In the middle of the page, click the orange "Online Course Catalog" link
Using the letters above, navigate to the department you wish to study in. When you click on the department name, it will drop down to show all the courses offered in that department.
Click on a course number or title to bring up a course description.
Click the green "view course schedule" button
Under the "Term Schedule" section, click on the drop-down menu for "Terms Offered"
If available, select the semester you plan to attend Auckland, remembering that Semester 1 =U.S. Spring and Semester 2 = U.S. Fall. Click the green "show course schedule" to see a timetable for the course.

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.
Please try to register for courses that are available at the city campus only. While some students have taken courses at the Tamaki campus in the past, doing so involves a commute from the city campus, which may affect your scheduling.
You may only take year long courses if you plan to study abroad for the calendar year (semesters 1 and 2, in that order).
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.

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.

10 Points at Auckland = 2.5 U.S. semester credit hours
15 Points at Auckland = 4 U.S. semester credit hours
20 Points at Auckland = 5 U.S. semester credit hours
30 Points at Auckland = 7.5 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.

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 University of Auckland. 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.

Wellesley Student Apartments
- Modern, fully furnished, self-catered apartment-style housing managed by the Auckland University of Technology. Located five-10 minutes from campus.
Parnell Village (very limited spaces):
- Fully furnished flats located a 15 minute walk from campus. These flats are more suited for very mature students, as they are located further off-campus and tend to be filled with graduate students.

Meals

No meal plans are available. All accommodations are self-catering.

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 waterskiing, 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
Pure New Zealand
Auckland News

Dates & Fees

University Sample Dates

Click here to view our full New Zealand program calendars.

University Sample Fees

Click here to view a full list of New Zealand program fees.

Personal Cost Estimates

Click here to view a full list of New Zealand personal cost estimates.
Expense calculator

Forms

Applicants to the program at University of Auckland must complete two additional forms . Please download, print and complete the following:

Course Preference form
Housing Preference form

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.

becki 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.

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Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, 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.

rhonda Upon return from your study abroad program, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs Rhonda Hinkle processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Rhonda completed her undergraduate coursework at the University of Evansville and received her master's degree from Bowling Green State University. Currently she is working on her Doctorate in Adult, Community and Higher Education at Ball State University. For Rhonda, study abroad not only increased her awareness of the world around her but also ignited her passion for travel and education. Rhonda can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4259.

Get Connected

Social Media

Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following:

Student Network
Student Blogs
Experiences Abroad Videos
For Students