Our graduates are highly valued in the early childhood care and education both in New Zealand and overseas.

We are a College with a sense of community. Our small size is an advantage because the tutors are able to get to know all of the students individually. It means we can offer personal attention and one-to-one assistance.

There are many international students already studying at the College. They come to know one another in their tutor group and through special social events.

We also hold a dedicated orientation time for international students to help them adjust to life in Christchurch and at the College. The shared experience of study means many strong friendships are formed between our students.

Make the most of your time in New Zealand! To get the best value from your studies, there are things you can do right now, in your home country:

• Get experience working with children – offer to babysit for your friends, family and neighbours, volunteer at a local childcare centre.
• Practice your English – the better your language skills, the more you will learn, so start practicing now and take extra lessons if possible.
• Read some books – get a real head start by reading everything you can about early childhood care and education.

You might also like to look at some websites and books about New Zealand so that you have more idea about what to expect when you get here.

Student Permits

Students from other countries wishing to study in New Zealand will normally need to obtain a Student Permit and full insurance for health and travel.
For more information, please visit www.immigration.govt.nz

Life in New Zealand

New Zealand is a great place to study! Safe and welcoming, with a high standard of living, New Zealand is a popular choice for students wanting to study abroad. Come to study at the NZCECE in Christchurch and you’ll find yourself part of a diverse community that is well set-up to cater for international students.

New Zealand is primarily an English-speaking country, but as the home to immigrants of many different cultures you’ll find that there are many opportunities available to use your native language or take part in familiar cultural events. Many nationalities have their own cultural groups, newspapers and radio stations.

Food is an important part of the New Zealand culture! In a typical New Zealand home, breakfast is a light meal of cereal, toast and fruit. Lunch is usually a cold meal, which may include sandwiches or a salad, cold meats, yoghurt and fruit. In winter it may include a hot bowl of soup.

The main meal of the day is usually served in the evening and typically includes a hot dish of meat and vegetables. Within this tradition there is a great deal of variety. New Zealanders love to embrace the food of other cultures and many households enjoy eating foods traditional to Asia, Europe or America. In all cities and large towns, you will find lots of cafes and restaurants offering everything from curry to sushi and souvlaki.

The generally mild climate and relatively small population of New Zealand mean that outdoor activities are very popular with residents and visitors alike. Most New Zealanders live within a short distance of wide-open spaces: mountains, hills, forests, lakes and ocean. As a result, they often spend their spare time hiking, mountain-biking or, in winter, skiing and snowboarding. In cities, parks are an important feature and they are popular in all seasons.

Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city and the second largest city in New Zealand. It also has a reputation as one of the most beautiful.
Make yourself at home! The College is a wonderful place to study - the best tutors, and a real community spirit.

Christchurch is well set-up to cater for the student lifestyle. There are a variety of options for boarding or hostel-type accommodation and if you prefer to go flatting, the local newspapers are always full of advertisements for houses to let and flatmates wanted.

Recreational opportunities abound! It’s not so much a matter of finding things to do, but of finding time to do it all. Ski fields are within easy reach, beaches, hills for mountain biking or walking, as well as movie theatres, art galleries, concerts and cultural events.

Transport is easy, accommodation is plentiful and living expenses very reasonable: all in all, Christchurch is a great place to live as a student.
For more information about Education in Canterbury, please visit: http://www.educationchristchurch.com/index.cfm/home

Support Services

The College works hard to ensure that all students feel good about living in Christchurch and studying at the NZCECE. If you need it, there are lots of places you can go for help. 

The College has Student Services Advisors and staff availiable to talk to if you are needing help. Contact the College on 0800 CHILDHOOD (244534) or (03) 365 3153.

Eligibility for Health Services

Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment.

• Full details on entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website at http://www.moh.govt.nz.

Accident Insurance

The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs.

• Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at http://www.acc.co.nz.

Medical and Travel Insurance

All international students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. You are required to provide the New Zealand College of Early Childhood Education with proof of appropriate insurance which must be approved by the College, from your home country or with a New Zealand provider, before you can apply to NZ Immigration for the Student Permit.

The college endorses the following three insurance policies:

• Orbit Travel (Prime Policy)
• Southern Cross
• Unicare

Immigration Requirements

• All students studying on a programme of 12 weeks or longer must have a valid Student Permit. To obtain a student permit you must be enrolled in a New Zealand Qualifications Authority approved programme, have been offered a place on the course, and produce the receipt for the full course fee paid in advance to the College.
• Attendance at the College, or meeting all programme requirements is a requirement of your Student Permit. Should a student fail to meet these compulsory requirements NZ Immigration will be notified and the student may risk losing their Student Permit.
• Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

International students require sufficient English language proficiency to obtain full benefit from the programme.

• If English is not your first or primary language and you did not attend a secondary school in New Zealand, you need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency.

• International Students who enrol for the Diploma of Teaching (ECE) Level 7 are required to provide proof that their English as at IELTs grade 7 level or higher in each catagory of the academic version of the IELTs assessment.

Student Orientation Programme

During the first weeks of the programme there are various activities that will assist you to settle happily into the College and into Christchurch.

The orientation programme offers all new students a range of activities and opportunities to form new friendships and to become familiar with Christchurch and major features of New Zealand culture.

The Orientation activities include:

• An opportunity to meet the staff
• Special sessions where students get to know one another
• Sessions of multi-cultural study where students are able to share characteristics of their culture with other students 
• Opportunities to visit places of interest in central Christchurch, e.g. Library, Art Gallery
• Opportunities to participate with other students in activities e.g. preparing food to be shared, participating in tabloid sports games
• Opportunity to meet with your special tutor, with whom you will be associated throughout your time at College
• Features of New Zealand culture
• New Zealand political system
• New Zealand legal system
• The New Zealand road code
• Health issues and contacts

The Orientation Programme is an integral part of our curriculum for all students coming to the College.  It is helpful for all students, New Zealanders and international visitors, as most of you come from outside Christchurch and it is an opportunity to make lots of new friendships.

Where students are uncertain, lack confidence or need further information, the orientation type support goes on right through the year, particularly with your special tutorial staff member.

Accommodation

Private Board

If you’re looking for the security and companionship of a home environment, with furnished room and meals provided, private board might be an option. The NZCECE does not officially place students in private board, but we do have a noticeboard where opportunities for private board are sometimes advertised.

Check the classified section in local papers such as The Press (daily) and the Buy, Sell and Exchange (weekly on Fridays) or www.trademe.co.nz.

Flatting and Renting

If independence is your number one priority, renting is always an option – whether on your own or with flatmates. Flatting and the student lifestyle go hand-in-hand and it is a great way to make long-lasting friendships.
Tenancy Services offers lots of useful information at their website or you can ring them NZ Toll Free 0800 TENANCY (0800 83 6262) or from outside NZ +64 4 238 4695.

Being a university city, Christchurch always has lots of flatting options available. Check the classified section in local papers such as The Press (daily) and the Buy, Sell and Exchange (weekly on Fridays) or www.trademe.co.nz.