FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- How many students are studying at AUT IH?
- How many students are in each class?
- How old are the students?
- What countries do the students come from?
- Do you have classes at beginners level?
- What happens to beginner level students who arrive at your school?
- What time are the classes?
- What exam preparation courses do you offer?
- Can I start and finish my course when I want?
- Do I need a visa to study in New Zealand?
- Should I take out insurance?
- What will happen on my first day at AUT International House?
- If I need help, will there be someone I can talk to in my own language?
- How do you make sure you put me at the right learning level?
- Will I get a certificate?
- Do I need to buy any books?
- Can I study IELTS full time?
- What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
Enrolment Questions
- How do I enrol at AUT?
- Who do I contact about my enrolment?
- How long does the enrolment process take?
Homestay Accommodation Questions
- Can AUT International House arrange homestay accommodation?
- How do I get from Auckland Airport to my homestay?
- Will I have my own bedroom?
- Will there be other international students in the same homestay?
- What meals are provided?
- Do all New Zealand families have pets?
- Is there Internet access in homestays?
- Will I be expected to help with any housework?
- How close are the homestays to the school?
- How much do buses and ferries cost per week?
Residential Accommodation Questions
- How do I book the AUT residential accommodation?
- How do I get from Auckland Airport the residential accommodation?
- Can I check in on any day or time I want?
- Will I have my own bedroom?
- What is included in the price?
- Is there a cost for power?
- Do I need to cook my own meals?
- Is there Internet access in the student apartments?
- Is there a telephone in the apartment?
- Will I be expected to clean the apartment?
- Where can I wash my clothes?
- Do I need to bring my own bedding?
- Is there a TV in the student apartment?
- What other students live in the WSA?
- Will there be other international students living in the apartment building?
- How close is the WSA to the school?
- Where is the Accommodation Office?
- When do I need to check out of the apartment?
- Will I get my bond fee back?
Activities
- Your school is part of a University. Can I use the University facilities?
- What activities does the school organise?
Answers to Frequently Asked Question
Q: How many students are studying at AUT IH?
A: We have between 200 and 240 students in the school at any one time.
Q: How many students are in each class?
A: A maximum of 14. An average of 12.
Q: How old are the students?
A: The minimum age we accept is 18 and there is no maximum age. Most students are between 20 and 25 years old.
Q: What countries do the students come from?
A: We have students from more than 20 countries including: Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Q: Do you have classes at beginners level?
A: Yes, we do.
Q: What happens to someone with a very low level of English?
A: We arrange for them to attend another language school in Auckland and as soon as their level is sufficient, they will come to AUT IH for further study.
Q: What time are the classes?
A: From 09.30 to 12.30 Monday to Friday (Part Time)
and from 01.30 to 3.45 Monday to Thursday (Full Time)
Q: What exam preparation courses do you offer?
A: FCE, CAE, IELTS, TOEIC
Q: Can I start and finish my course when I want?
A: No, we have a starting date every month as well as a few additional start dates. All students must choose one of these official starting dates and must finish their course on one of the published finishing dates. See Dates & Fees on this website for the list of dates.
Q: Do I need a visa to study in New Zealand?
A: If you are studying Full time for 12 weeks or more you will need a student visa. For information about visas and whether you need a visa for studying fewer than 12 weeks please visit the NZ Immigration Service web site: www.immigration.govt.nz
Q: Should I take out insurance?
A: All international Students must have appropriate and current Medical & Travel Insurance while studying in New Zealand. AUT International House will arrange Medical & Travel Insurance (Premier Plan) with Uni-Care on your behalf. If you wish to arrange Medical & Travel Insurance yourself, you will need to provide proof of such as a copy of your policy in English to be able to confirm your enrolment. Travel & Medical Insurance must be arranged before course commencement for the duration of the course. Students will not be permitted to start class without insurance. For more information please visit: www.uni-care.org
Q: What will happen on my first day at AUT International House?
A: You will first sit a placement test, be issued with an ID card, you will meet your fellow students and after this a teacher will take you on a tour around the AUT campus.
Q: If I need help, will there be someone I can talk to in my own language?
A: Most International House staff members speak up to 2 or 3 different languages and will be happy to assist you. If necessary we will get an interpreter.
Q: How do you make sure you put me at the right learning level?
A: On the first day each student is required to sit a short placement test both oral and written to determine the student's English level and to make sure we place the student in the right class level.
Q: Will I get a certificate?
A: Yes, but we expect a minimum of 80% attendance.
Q: Do I need to buy any books?
A: Coursebooks are used in the morning class. You can buy or rent a book from the school in the first few days of your course. Prices are between $40.00 and $55.00. Your teacher will explain this to you in your first class.
Q: What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
A: Click here for an estimate cost of living
Answers to Enrolment Questions
Q: How do I enrol at AUT International House?
A: You can visit our “How to Enrol“ section to access an on-line enrolment form.
Q: Who do I contact about my enrolment?
A: Please contact our Administration Team on inthouse@aut.ac.nz
Q: How long does the enrolment process take?
A: We will process your enrolment within 24 hours. (Please take time difference into consideration).
Answers to Homestay Accommodation Questions
Q: How do I book homestay accommodation?
A: Please fax us a filled out accommodation application form on + 64 9 920 0420, or fill out the online form on our site.
Q: Can AUT International House arrange homestay accommodation?
A: Yes. We have two members of staff in our homestay department and they inspect and carefully select suitable homestays for our students.
Q: How do I get from Auckland Airport to my homestay?
A: If AUT IH arranged your homestay we will provide a free transfer from the airport to the homestay.
Q: Will I have my own bedroom?
A: Yes. All students are placed in single bedrooms.
Q: Will there be other international students in the same homestay?
A: Sometimes there will be other students in the same homestay.
Q: What meals are provided?
A: The host family provides breakfast and evening meals Monday to Friday, and breakfast, lunch and evening meals on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
Q: Do all New Zealand families have pets?
A: Many families do have pets. Cats and dogs are both common animals.
Q: Is there Internet access in homestays?
A: Not always. However, AUT IH has computer laboratories (a small fee is charged) which are Internet-connected, and there are also lots of Internet cafés in Auckland.
Q: Will I be expected to help with any housework?
A: It is considered polite to offer to help with things like setting the table, and washing and drying the dishes.
Q: How close are the homestays to the school?
A: On average it takes 30 minutes by bus or ferry.
Q: How much do buses and ferries cost per week?
A: Between NZ$15 and NZ$35 per week, depending where your homestay is.
Answers to Residential Accommodation Questions
Q:
A: Please fax us a filled out application form on + 64 9 920 0420, or fill out the online form on our site.
Q: How do I get from Auckland Airport the residential accommodation?
A: You can take a shuttle bus from the Airport, which will take you to the Wellesley Student Apartments on 8-10 Mount Street, Auckland. The ride will take around 40 minutes and costs around NZ$25. For more info please print out the instructions on how to get to the WSA. We can arrange for you to be met at the airport and transferred to the residential accommodation. There is a fee of $65.00 for this service which will be included in your invoice.
Q: Can I check in on any day or time I want?
A: No, check-in days are on Sunday after 10:00am and Check-out days are on Saturdays before 10:00am.
Q: Will I have my own bedroom?
A: Yes, all apartments have single bedrooms, which have a bed, a desk, a chair, and a wardrobe, and are wired for phone/internet use (no phone or computer included). You will be sharing the living room, kitchen and 2 bathrooms with 3 to 4 other students.
Q: What is included in the price?
A: Included in the weekly price of $215 per week are cleaners once a week, and electricity. Included in this price is weekly cleaning and electricity. A linen pack is not included. It will be available at a cost of $120 and includes: pillow, mattress protector, pillow case slip, 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 1 duvet and 1 duvet cover.
Q: Is there a cost for power?
A: There is no additional cost for use of power in the apartments, but you are asked to ensure that heaters are turned off when you leave the apartment. This is extremely important as a safety issue. We also ask that you turn off lights when not in use.
Q: Do I need to cook my own meals?
A: Yes, a fully equipped kitchen is provided with pans, microwave, oven, toaster and electric jugs. There are many shops nearby that grocery items can be purchased from. There are also many cafes and food halls nearby plus a pizza shop in the apartment building. A bus takes students once a week in the evening to a big supermarket to shop and then returns them to the apartments. This is a free service.
Q: Is there Internet access in the student apartments?
A: Yes, but students will have to organise themselves for the Internet to be connected. Copies of how to set up your Internet connection are available from the reception area in the apartments, so please ask for this. The approximate cost is NZ$24.95 per month. If a data cable needs to be purchased there is a charge of $3.00 and this is available from reception. A credit card or prepay card (which can be purchased from reception) can be used for paying the monthly cost. Please note Apple Mac computers are not compatible with the system used at the apartments. A telephone line would need to be set up for use with an Apple Mac.
Q: Is there a telephone in the apartment?
A: Yes a phone is supplied, but students will have to organise themselves for the phone to be connected. These cost are not included in the price There is also a rental fee of approximately $40.00 per month. You can share the costs with the other students living in the apartment.
To have a telephone in your own room will cost approximately NZ$150.00 for the connection fee. There will also be a rental fee of approximately $40.00 per month. Students make contact with Telecom themselves to set this up. They are welcome to use the telephone in the reception area to do this. They can also use the fax machine at reception.
Q: Will I be expected to clean the apartment?
A: Included in the price is a weekly cleaning service which includes cleaning of bathrooms and vacuuming of communal areas. It does not include washing dishes or removal of rubbish. Students in the apartments are responsible for keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy and removing rubbish regularly to a specially designated area in the building on the ground floor. Please make sure that all unused food that you have purchased is removed from the apartment when you leave. This is especially important with items left in the fridge.
Q: Where can I wash my clothes?
A: There are washing machines, driers and laundry tubs on the ground floor. These are operated using $1 and $2 coins.
Q: Do I need to bring my own bedding?
A: No, you will be charged $120.00 for a linen pack.
Q: Is there a TV in the student apartment?
A: Yes, there is one TV in the lounge. In the Student lounge on the ground floor there is also a big TV where students can watch TV together.
Q: What other students live in the WSA?
A: You will be sharing your apartment with other AUT International House students, but other AUT students also live in the same building.
Q: Will there be other international students living in the apartment building?
A: Yes, 70% of the students are from New Zealand and the other 30% are international students. It is a great way to be independent and to make new friends with students of different nationalities.
Q: How close is the WSA to the school?
A: It is around a 5-minute walk from the WSA to AUT International House. There is a map on the noticeboard in your apartment showing you how to get to International House. Remember you need to be at school at 8.00am on the first morning to sit your placement test.
Q: Where is the Accommodation Office?
A: Delwyn and Bronwyn work in the Accommodation Office that is behind reception on the 9th floor of AUT International House. Please feel free to come and see them at any time to discuss any matters relating to the apartments.
Q: When do I need to check out of the apartment?
A: All students are required to leave the apartment by 10.00am on the day following the completion of their course, which is a Saturday. If you wish to make a change to this, please come and see Delwyn or Bronwyn the week before your scheduled departure date.
Q: Will I get my bond fee back?
A: Yes, providing you have not damaged anything in the apartment. The $300.00 bond is refunded to your bank account after you leave the apartment. We need to have full details of the address of your bank and your bank account details. Please ensure this is completed and returned to the Accommodation team prior to leaving the apartment.
Activities Answers
Q: Your school is part of a University. Can I use the University facilities?
A: Yes. On your first day you are given an AUT student identity card. With this you have access to the campus restaurants, the library, the gymnasium (a small fee is charged for this), the self-access centre, the student bar, and medical and counselling services. With this student card you will also receive student discounts on bus fares and at museums, cinemas and swimming pools.
Q: What activities does the school organise?
A: Every Friday, AUT International House organises student activities after morning class. Activities such as soccer – and/or games tournaments are free of charge. Should there be a fee for excursions e.g. a visit to the Museum or Sky City, the fee can be paid at the entrance. Activities will vary from week to week and certain activities are subject to the availability of teachers.
We also work closely with Kiwiana and Auckland Adventures who organise weekend excursions for us. Each weekend there is a one- or two-night trip to places such as: The Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Coromandel or the ski fields in winter. For more details please visit www.acb.co.nz. Students are also informed frequently by their teachers on events that take place within the Auckland area such as the Starlight Symphony Concert in the Park, the Lantern festival, concerts and shows, and on social activities organized by AUT IH, like a group outing to Waiheke Island, a Soccer tournament etc.