Opening Doors Support and Services for Refugee-Background Students at Victoria University
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Opening
Doors
Support and Services for
Refugee-Background Students
at Victoria University
Acknowledgements
This booklet was created by staff and students from across Victoria
University with the institutional support of the Deputy Vice Chancellor
(Academic) Penny Boumelha.
The production team would like to acknowledge the involvement and
contributions of the following people:
Students: Daniel, Faiza, Hibba, John, Nasra, Morsal, and several others
who did not wish to be named.
Staff: Liz Chinlund, Hyekyung Chung, John Dance, Karen Davis, Laura
Dimock, Millie Douglas, Hayley Everingham, Gerard Hoffman, Bridie
Hood, Angela Joe, Colin Kennedy, Catherine Nelson, Diane O’Rourke,
Meredith Price, Mary Roberts.
Community Partners: Alia Bloom (Changemakers Refugee Forum),
Judi McCallum (Refugee Services, Pathways to Employment).
Images: Victoria University Image Services, Vanessa Rushton,
GEOG 404 2008 Global Remix Research Team.
Editorial Oversight: Kate Arrowsmith.
Design and Editorial Advice: Geoff Hume-Cook
Production Team:
Writers/Researchers: Rahma Adan, Kristine Ford, Tania Sawicki Mead.
Desktop publishing and cover design: Laila Faisal.
Managing Editor: Sara Kindon
(VUW Network to Support Refugee-Background Students).
Originally printed in February 2012, reprinted May 2012
ii | Opening DoorsA warm welcome to Victoria
University
I would like to offer you a warm welcome, both to Wellington (if you are new
to the city) and to Victoria University.
Victoria University has a long and distinguished tradition of education and
research, and we are strongly committed to serving the needs of our students
and those of our community. We aim to give all of our students the very best
opportunities to learn, to enhance their personal development, and to enjoy the
rich social and cultural life of the capital city. Victoria is also very proud of the
diversity of its students and staff. We believe that this diversity gives us greater
intellectual strength, and enriches our learning experiences.
As Refugee-Background Students, you all bring something special to the life of
the University and have already achieved so much. We want you to continue
to be successful in your studies here and to enjoy the experience along the way.
We have people who can help with everything from—useful tips on studying
successfully, to talking to you about the careers for which your degree is
preparing you, to advising on how to draw up your weekly budget.
Even if the University may be quite new and daunting for you, I can promise
you that Refugee-Background Students are not new to us. Whatever your
question, there will certainly have been other students before you who have had
to deal with it. I am confident that there is someone at Victoria who will be
able to give you the answer, or to direct you towards the right place to get the
help you need.
Your success is very important to us at Victoria so this booklet is designed to
help you get settled, establish good study habits and connect with others in
the University community. I encourage you to read it thoroughly and keep
it carefully, so that you can familiarise yourself with the many services and
support staff that are available to you.
I will look forward to the opportunity to celebrate your academic achievements
at one of our graduation events in a few years time. In the meantime, good luck
with your studies and with every aspect of your life as a Victoria student.
Professor Penny Boumelha
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
Victoria University of Wellington
Opening Doors | iiiWelcome to ‘Opening Doors’
and Victoria University
This booklet gives you information on how to get ready to apply and to start
studying at Victoria and how Victoria works. It also has details of how to
approach your studies and what services and support people are available to
help you.
In each section, contact information for key support people, resources or
websites are provided wherever you see envelope and computer mouse symbols.
There are also helpful lists of key people and services, as well as key terms, at
the back of the booklet. You can use these if you need to find something or
someone quickly.
Throughout there are thoughts and words of advice from Refugee-Background
Students already studying at Victoria. They worked with staff to produce this
booklet to encourage you and help you.
We hope you keep this booklet with you throughout your studies and look
forward to working with you to support your academic success and enjoyable
time at Victoria!
We’d also love to hear from you about how you’ve used the booklet and what
we can do to make it even better. Contact any one of the staff in this booklet
and let them know what you think, or use the feedback form on page 63.
With warm regards and respect,
Sara Kindon
Coordinator of the VUW Network to Support Refugee-Background Students
iv | Opening DoorsContents
How to navigate the different parts of the booklet..............................vi
Preparing for Victoria......................................................................... 1
Thinking about going to Victoria?.....................................................................2
Differences between secondary school and university........................................8
Summary of resources to help you prepare for Victoria......................................9
The Refugee English Fund and preparatory courses at Victoria........................10
Enrolling and getting started...........................................................................12
Resources to help as you get started at Victoria ...............................................15
Checklist.........................................................................................................16
How does Victoria work? ................................................................. 19
University structure.........................................................................................20
Undergraduate degree structure.......................................................................22
Course organisation.........................................................................................23
Successful Study................................................................................ 25
What is expected of students at Victoria?.........................................................26
Services and resources to support your successful study...................................31
Using the Library and computers....................................................................34
Troubleshooting problems...............................................................................36
Work/Life Balance............................................................................ 39
Student facilities..............................................................................................40
Making friends................................................................................................42
Stay connected to family.................................................................................43
Working .........................................................................................................44
Faith and spirituality.......................................................................................45
Mauri Ora: Student Health and Counselling Services and the
Victoria Physiotherapy Clinic...........................................................46
Staying Safe...................................................................................... 49
Campus safety.................................................................................................50
Advocacy and advice.......................................................................................51
Getting advice - overcoming barriers...............................................................53
Thinking beyond Victoria................................................................. 55
Quick Guide: List of Key Services and Support People..................... 58
Key Words......................................................................................... 61
Opening Doors - Feedback Form...................................................... 63
Opening Doors | vHow to navigate the different
parts of the booklet
The Refugee English Fund and
Useful contacts
Preparatory Courses at Victoria
Angela Joe
(for EPP, WRIT 151 and WRIT 251) The Refugee English Fund is for English Proficiency Progra
04-463 5607
angela.joe@vuw.ac.nz students who: (EPP)*
Ian Masters • have English as an additional
The EPP helps you improve
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ian.masters@vuw.ac.nz
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discussions, andexpressing co
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and come
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contacts
ideas
at Victoria
facts through speec
Angela Joe (for EPP, WRIT 151 and WRIT
a) as NZ government The251) Refugee English Preparatory
and writing, and becoming a
The Fund and
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independent
English Fund
learner of Engli
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(for EPP, WRIT 151 and WRIT 251)
04-463 5607
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www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/eli/english-
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10 | Opening Doors
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10 | Opening Doors
10 | Opening Doors
vi | Opening Doorsou learn how to use solve problems you may face when
and computers. It’s a reading and writing in English. language. We have the
ay to meet other students The course also helps you increase same challenges to work
riends. You can choose the richness and accuracy of your with and that made it
from a list of twelve. written English. It runs for three easier for us.”
is full-time over two hours per week. It is a 20-point
one-trimester course, and is
completely internally assessed.
ents have successfully
Foundation Studies WRIT 251 - Academic Writing
aranteed entry to most in English as a Second Language
egree programmes at (trimester two only)
IT 151 - For
niversity. Writing morein English as
cond
n Language (trimester
on Foundation Studies one This course will help you develop
)Masters. greater skills “The andFoundation
awareness about Course
Foundation Studies WRIT 151 - Writing in English as Speech bubbles like these are
Victoria’s Foundation Studies
a Second
only)
effective
Language (trimester was one really
reading and
“The
helpful
writing
Foundation
inbecause
Course what your fellow students
course helps offers you
students develop academic contexts. It runs
helpfulfor three
This course helps you develop all of all usof uscome from a
programme the was really because have said about the topic on
academic skills and competence come from a
emic writing skills in English. hours per week. Itdifferent
is acountry
20-point this page
in English
teachers
language
give
succeed in university
required
you
study.
to
It
academic writing skills in
It will help you to recognise and different
English.
country so we
have English as our second
so we
ll help you
also helps you tolearn recognise
how to use and
solve one-trimester
problems you may face when course, and is
k on what to do
the library and computers. It’s a
in reading and writing in English.have English as our second “Do as many English
language. We have the
e problems
fantastic way you may
to meet other faceThewhen
students completely
course same challenges to work
internally
also helps you increase assessed.
assignments.”
and make friends. You can choose
ing and writing
six courses from a list ofin English.
twelve.
the richness and accuracy of your
written English. It runs for three
language. We have the courses as possible to give
with and that made it
easier for us.”
one-trimester course, and is same challenges to work yourself a good grounding
The course is full-time over two hours per week. It is a 20-point
course also helps you increase
trimesters.
ichness and accuracy ofWRIT
When students have successfully
completed Foundation Studies
completely internally assessed.
your 251 - Academic Writing
with and that made it in English.”
ten English. It runs for (trimester
they are guaranteed entry to most
Bachelor degree programmes at
three two only)
in English as a Second Language
easier for us.”
s perinformation
week.onIt is a 20-point
Victoria University. For more
Foundation Studies This course will help you develop
trimester course, and is greater
contact Ian Masters. skills and awareness about
effective reading and writing in
pletely“EPP internally assessed.
teachers give you
academic contexts. It runs for three
hours per week. It is a 20-point
one-trimester course, and is
feedback on what to do in completely internally assessed.
“Do as many English An asterisk (*) after a
assignments.”
IT 251 - Academic Writing courses as possible to give
yourself a good grounding word or phrase means
nglish as a Second Language in English.” that you can look it
up in the Key Words
mester two only)
section at the back of
this booklet
course will help you develop
ter skills and awareness about“Despite adversity, refugee background
tive reading and writing in Boxes like these have photos
students inspire
“Despite adversity, refugee background
emic contexts. It runs forstudents
threeinspire others through their others through their as well as quotes from staff
and students who work
s per week. It is a 20-point resourcefulness, persistence, and motivation.
resourcefulness, persistence, and motivation.
closely with Refugee-
trimester course, and is All are key qualities for successful study.” Background Students
All are “Do
key
Angela Joe, Director, English
pletely internally assessed.
as many
qualities
Proficiency English
Programme
for successful study.”
courses as possible to give
Angela Joe, Director, English Proficiency Programme
Opening Doors | 11
yourself a good grounding
in English.”
Opening Doors | 11
espite adversity, refugee background Opening Doors | vii
udents inspire others through theirPreparing
for Victoria
This section provides information about how to prepare
for life at Victoria and what to do in the weeks before
courses start. Use the Checklist at the end of this section
to help keep track of all the important things to do.
Opening Doors | 1Thinking about going to Victoria?
“Don’t rush into a decision Before Year 13 Planning ahead
about uni life. Take time
It is important to start planning Thinking about study, some people
to think about your study
your future early. When you are always know what they want to do,
options. Are you going to in Year 12 – or even earlier – you while others have a few options that
enjoy yourself at university? will naturally be thinking about they are tossing up. Either way, it
Ask questions of yourself.” potential careers and what study is a good idea to keep options open
you need to undertake to get there. by making smart choices for what
The team at Victoria University are subjects you study during your
always here to help you. time in school. Take some time
Admission requirements*
Admission to Victoria is in two parts – you must gain University
Entrance* and also attain the Guaranteed Entry Score* to be
automatically admitted into the degree of your choice (note that
there are additional requirements for Performance Music majors
and students taking teaching degrees).
Read more information about admission to Victoria in the
Introduction to Victoria website www.victoria.ac.nz/futurestudents
2 | Opening Doorsto talk over your selection with make your transition to university
your parents, teachers and careers as easy as possible, take these
adviser. subjects in Year 13.
Useful contacts
Hayley Everingham
All of our degrees* have Scholarships and accommodation Liaison Officer, Student
Recruitment, Admission and
recommended background subjects, As your applications for our
Orientation
which are listed on the degree scholarships and Halls of Residence 04-463 7442
pages in the booklet Introduction are due before your Level 3 results hayley.everingham@vuw.ac.nz
to Victoria. In nearly all cases, are out, your performance in Year
introductory or bridging courses 12 really does count. Try your
will be available if you want to best so that you don’t miss out on
study towards a degree or major* opportunities. Doing your best can
Useful websites
where you do not have enough really pay off!
background knowledge – but to Future Students
www.victoria.ac.nz/futurestudents
Stay in touch
Once you have given some thought about what you might
want to do at Victoria, come and see the team at Student
Recruitment, Admission and Orientation (SRAO), Level 1 in
the Hunter Building, Kelburn Parade. Or alternatively you can get
in touch with Hayley Everingham who will arrange an appointment
with one of our Liaison Officers.
“My team and I are really looking forward to
doing all we can to help Refugee-Background
Students plan their courses and degrees. We aim
to help Refugee-Background Students start their
university careers off on the right foot, ensuring
that they are heading down the path that is right
for them.”
Hayley Everingham, Liaison Officer
Student Recruitment, Admission and Orientation
Opening Doors | 3“Working with Refugee-Background Students
is a wonderful opportunity for our team to
engage and connect to new stories and
cultures. We love it! We are always available
to work together with students to discuss the
opportunities at Victoria and to make sure they
get off to a great start.”
Col Kennedy, Student Recruitment, Admission and Orientation
Year 13
There are plenty of opportunities School Tours – you may have the
for you meet with the Victoria opportunity to come and have a
University team in your final year look around the campus with a
of secondary school, these include: group from your school. You will
be given a guided tour and will be
School Visits – someone from the given information about courses,
Student Recruitment team will campus facilities and student
come and make a presentation at services.
your school. This will give you an
insight into life at university, help Study @ Vic Open Day – this is
you with your course* planning Victoria’s annual open day, where
and help you to understand how future students can check out the
the university system works. facilities and support services on
offer. There are also sessions for
Information Evenings – Victoria parents and students about the
hosts these evenings for all transition from school to university,
prospective students and their and making good study choices.
families to come and meet staff
members and current Victoria So make sure you keep an eye
students. out for when these events are
happening around you so that you
can make the most of these chances
to find out more about Victoria.
To find information about all these
Useful websites events go to www.victoria.ac.nz/
Introduction to Victoria futurestudents.
www.victoria.ac.nz/futurestudents
Study@Vic
www.victoria.ac.nz/srca/events/
study-at-vic.aspx
4 | Opening DoorsYou could also visit the Career Services, Judi McCallum for
Development and Employment additional advice. She will assess
Team (Vic Careers) to talk about your language and other skills to
Useful contacts
your career ideas and aspirations. create an employment plan, which Judi McCallum
Refugee Services
They can help you see how may include further study. She can
04-805 0308
particular subject choices at school also advise you on the preparatory judi.mccallum@refugeeservices.org.nz
or university might affect your courses that you may need to take Vic Careers
future careers, or you can view the to get ready for university study. 04-463 5393
page; ‘What Can I Do with My The ultimate goal of her service careers-service@vuw.ac.nz
Degree/Subject’ on their website to is to help you find work that you
see where specific courses of study will enjoy and for which you are
can lead. qualified.
Vic Careers are happy to meet with Adult/Mature Students Useful websites
secondary school students, as well Future Students
as anyone thinking about study at Adult/mature students (if you’re www.victoria.ac.nz/futurestudents
Victoria. You can come in without over 20) who do not hold Mature Students’ Orientation
booking during the Drop-In times University Entrance* can apply for www.victoria.ac.nz/st_services/
Special Admission*. newstudents/orientation/a-z/mature.
for 15-minute meetings or you aspx
can book online. For a full-length
If you are a mature student looking Mature Students’ SLSS
guidance appointment allow a www.victoria.ac.nz/st_services/slss/
to study at Victoria please contact
two-week wait time, but they can infofor/maturestudents.aspx
SRAO for more information.
usually see you within 5-10 days. Vic Careers
www.victoria.ac.nz/careers
Student Learning Support Services
If you are a Work and Income
(see page 31) also provide support
New Zealand (WINZ) client
for Adult students. Check their
considering enrolling at Victoria,
Mature Students’ Orientation*
you can visit the Pathways to
webpage.
Employment Manager at Refugee
Opening Doors | 5“In spite of the challenges, Refugee-
Background Students manage to succeed in
their new home country, and that really is so
impressive. Their stories are a vital contribution
to the university environment.”
John Dance, Accommodation Service
Accommodation repayment threshold (currently set
at approximately $19,000), and
While studying, you can live in there is no interest on the debt if
‘Halls of Residence’ (apartment you remain in New Zealand. Many
blocks run by the university), ‘flats’ people see borrowing for education
(shared houses with other students), as a good investment because
or at home (with your family). The it could increase their earning
Accommodation Service can help potential in the future.
you find the accommodation you
want. They process applications StudyLink is a service of the
for all the halls of residence and Ministry of Social Development
offer advice about a range of and is responsible for Student
other accommodation options. Allowances, Student Loans, and
The manager, John Dance, is Unemployment Benefit Student
dedicated to working with Refugee- Hardship. StudyLink may provide
Background Students. No need to additional support depending
book, just drop in. on your circumstances. From the
Useful contacts Student Loan, you can get your fees
Costs paid, as well as up to $1,000 per
John Dance
Accommodation Service year toward course-related costs,
04-463 6886 University fees can be around
and help with living costs.
john.dance@vuw.ac.nz $5,000—$8,000 per year, so it
can be a big decision to take on There are certain requirements that
a loan to study. The terms for students have to meet to qualify for
the New Zealand Student Loan assistance from StudyLink. These
mean the debt cannot be passed
Useful websites to other family members, you are
include a limit on the amount of
Vic Careers
time for which you can get the
www.victoria.ac.nz/careers
not required to make payments Student Loan (7 EFTS*), which
if you are earning below the means about seven or eight years of
6 | Opening Doorsfull time study. Most undergraduate Financial Support and Advice
degrees* take three or four years, also administers the Hardship
Useful contacts
but if you do a double degree, or Fund, which provides emergency
change degrees halfway through assistance to students in financial Financial Support and Advice
your study, it will take you longer. difficulty. 04-463 7474
student-hardship@vuw.ac.nz
You can apply for more EFTS* if
Most students are eligible for a Scholarships Office
you enrol in postgraduate* study. scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Community Services Card, which
You also have to pass at least half of helps with medical costs, including Work and Income New Zealand
0800-999 999
your courses over a two-year period prescriptions. You can get an
to keep receiving the Student Loan. application form from the Student
This means it’s important to make Health Service (see page 46) or
wise choices about what you want Work and Income New Zealand
to study, and what you are capable (WINZ), phone: 0800 999 999.
of completing each year. If you
Useful websites
think your achievement has been To talk with someone about Financial Support and Advice
affected by something beyond your financial support, contact Financial Hardship Fund
Support and Advice. Allow 2-3 www.victoria.ac.nz/st_services/
control, you may be able to keep finadvice/hardship
accessing the Student Loan even days for an appointment, a week
Scholarships Office
if you have not passed half your at the most. They can also see you
www.victoria.ac.nz/home/admisenrol/
courses. promptly in an emergency. payments/scholarships
StudyLink
For more information check out Scholarships www.studylink.govt.nz
the StudyLink website or contact
There are a range of awards and
Financial Support and Advice, who
scholarships available for all
can help you with StudyLink and
Victoria University students,
work out what you’re entitled
including some for targeted
to. They offer a wide range of
groups, such as women and school
other support and advice such as
leavers. Contact the Scholarships
budgeting, help understanding
Office for details of undergraduate
taxes, and where to get good deals
and postgraduate awards and
for glasses and dental work.
scholarships.
Opening Doors | 7Differences between secondary school
“When you come to uni you
must become independent
and university
and take responsibility for The rules and regulations are discouraged from attending
your learning.” different at university compared university by teachers and careers
to secondary school. It is worth advisors at secondary school. Try
thinking about how you approach not to let this discouragement get
learning and what you want to get to you. Always try to get a second
out of it. opinion.
At university you decide on the There are many staff available at
amount of time you spend studying Victoria to help and support you in
“I guess they think that and whether you go to class. You your learning (see pages 58 to 60).
because of our language are responsible for your own For many Refugee-Background
we’re not really capable learning and your success. In order Students at Victoria University,
of doing these courses to succeed you need to have self- earlier discouragement has become
[Achievement Standards*] discipline and to be proactive. their motivation to succeed, and if
they can do it, so can you!
or able to go to university.” Perhaps, like many of the current
Refugee-Background Students
at Victoria University, you feel
8 | Opening DoorsSummary of resources to help you
prepare for Victoria
The following resources can be obtained from the Student Recruitment, Useful websites
Admission and Orientation Service and are also available online. Publications
www.victoria.ac.nz/publications
For students thinking about For Students Enrolled at Victoria:
coming to Victoria:
New Student Guide
Introduction to Victoria (available in January)
(available from March each year)
This guide has important
This booklet is designed for year information about what to do
12 and 13 students. It lists all the before you arrive at Victoria, “Them saying, ‘you
degrees* on offer at Victoria and what to do at the New Students’ can’t study at university
the recommended subjects you Orientation* (see page 14), and the because of your English’
should study at school. It also facilities and services available to was encouraging. I know
describes the admission process help you succeed in your studies. what I want and I can do
to Victoria, and key dates and
Campus Connections it. Believing in yourself
deadlines you should know.
(available in February) is something that will
Guide to Study encourage you as well; we’ve
(available from June) This booklet outlines the support got an opportunity to do
services, workshops*, and
something.”
This guide outlines all programmes available for students
undergraduate degree* courses at Victoria. It is produced by
and programmes. It has Student Learning Support Services.
detailed sections on admission
requirements, planning your Faculty Handbooks
studies, costs, and student support (available in August)
services.
These handbooks give detailed
Guide for Parents information about each faculty*,
(available from June) the schools*, and information
about staff.
“Despite the
The Guide for Parents is designed
to give you and your parents an
discouragement, if you
idea of what to expect at Victoria. have the dedication and
It explains what to do to get ready potential to succeed,
for university, what a typical first you will.”
year experience is like, admission
requirements, and the student
services available.
Opening Doors | 9The Refugee English Fund and
Useful contacts
preparatory courses at Victoria
Angela Joe
(for EPP, WRIT 151 and WRIT 251) The Refugee English Fund is for English Proficiency Programme
04-463 5607
angela.joe@vuw.ac.nz students who: (EPP)*
Ian Masters • have English as an additional
The EPP helps you improve on
(for Foundation Studies) language;
04-463 9672 reading and listening to complex
ian.masters@vuw.ac.nz • are NZ citizens, permanent information, taking an active part
residents or have a returning
in discussions, expressing complex
resident’s visa;
ideas and facts through speech
• and come to NZ: and writing, and becoming an
a) as NZ government independent learner of English.
Useful websites quota refugees;
English Proficiency Programme b) under the family The EPP prepares students for
www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/eli/english- reunification scheme;
proficiency-programme.aspx either admission into Foundation
or
Foundation Studies
Studies, undergraduate or the
c) as convention or other
www.victoria.ac.nz/international/ refugees eg. asylum postgraduate degree* programmes
study-options/foundation/index.aspx seekers. at Victoria (depending on your
To find out more about EPP and EPP grades). The programme is a
Foundation Studies check out the The fund pays your tuition and full-time one trimester* course, and
Pathways booklet: www.victoria. student levy fees for the four
ac.nz/international/study-options/ is offered three times throughout
foundation/downloads/Pathways%20 preparatory courses listed here. the year. For more information on
Programme.pdf EPP contact Angela Joe.
10 | Opening DoorsFoundation Studies WRIT 151 - Writing in English
as a Second Language (Trimester
Victoria’s Foundation Studies One only) “The Foundation Course
programme offers students the was really helpful because
academic skills and competence This course helps you develop all of us come from a
in English language required to academic writing skills in English.
different country so we
succeed in university study. It It will help you to recognise and
have English as our second
also helps you learn how to use solve problems you may face when
the Library and computers. It’s a reading and writing in English. language. We have the
fantastic way to meet other students The course also helps you increase same challenges to work
and make friends. You can choose the richness and accuracy of your with and that made it
six courses from a list of twelve. The written English. It runs for three easier for us.”
programme is full-time over two hours per week. It is a 20-point
trimesters. one-trimester course, and is
completely internally assessed*.
When students have successfully
completed Foundation Studies WRIT 251 - Academic Writing
they are guaranteed entry to most in English as a Second Language
Bachelor degree* programmes (Trimester Two only)
at Victoria University. For more
information on Foundation Studies This course will help you develop
contact Ian Masters. greater skills and awareness about
effective reading and writing in
academic contexts. It runs for three
hours per week. It is a 20-point
“EPP teachers give you
one-trimester course, and is “Do as many English
feedback on what to do in completely internally assessed. courses as possible to give
assignments.”
yourself a good grounding
in English.”
“Despite adversity, Refugee-Background
Students inspire others through their
resourcefulness, persistence, and motivation.
All are key qualities for successful study.”
Angela Joe, Director,
English Proficiency Programme
Opening Doors | 11?
EPP/
Foundation Studies
Þ
P
Admission
Degree/
Major/
Courses
enrol through
Victoria International
requirements :Enrol Online
Þ www.victoria.ac.nz/enrol
use (Enrolment Office/
Course Catalogue Student Recruitment, Admission
and Orientation
Enrolling and getting started
Enrolment Process
After meeting the admission important forms of documentation
requirements (see page 2), the to enrol: a birth certificate or
second step in the enrolment passport, proof of residency or
process is to choose which degree*, citizenship, and for some, an
major*, and courses you want to official academic transcript*. If
enrol in. Make sure you check if you are enrolling in either of
your degree has compulsory courses the preparatory programmes—
that you need to take in your first English Proficiency Programme or
year and use the Course Catalogue Foundation Studies (pages 10 and
to plan your timetable and check 11)—you apply through Victoria
that your courses don’t clash. If you International. If however, you are
are applying for a limited entry enrolling after having taken either
course*, submit your enrolment of these programmes, you apply
Useful contacts application in the second week of through the Enrolment Office.
Enrolment Office December. All other enrolments
04-463 5250 or 0800 842 867 are due mid-January. You should then receive an
enrolment-enquiries@vuw.ac.nz
Offer of Study Form and a Fees
Once you have chosen your Assessment. Read them carefully,
degree*, major* and courses*, and if everything is correct, send
you can enrol online (https:// them in as soon as you can. If
signups.victoria.ac.nz/oes/) or you are planning to get a loan to
Useful websites phone the Enrolment Office or pay your fees you should apply to
Enrolment Office
Student Recruitment, Admission StudyLink right away. If you receive
www.victoria.ac.nz/home/admisenrol/ and Orientation (page 3) for advice a Conditional Offer of Study
enrol and assistance. You will need some you may need to provide more
12 | Opening DoorsConditional Offer
$
Þ
need to supply more documents/
wait for NCEA results
Pay fees P
ID Card
Þ Welcome Event
Offer of Study and Orientation
Fees Assessment Apply for loan from Campus Coaches
Þ StudyLink
accept and post back
documents, change your courses, After enrolling and paying your
or wait until your NCEA* results fees, you are able to access a range
arrive. of programmes and activities
to help introduce you to life at
Once you receive a Confirmation Victoria and to other students.
of Study*, you become a Victoria These usually take place in the first
University student. You need to few weeks before courses start and
pay your fees by the Friday prior to include:
the start of your course or you will
have to pay a late payment fee. Welcome Event for Refugee-
Background Students
Staff at the Enrolment Office
provide advice and support Coordinated by the VUW Network
throughout your enrolment to Support Refugee-Background Useful contacts
process. They also issue you with Students, this two hour event held Sara Kindon
your Student ID card, which you in February is dedicated to Refugee- Senior Lecturer, Geography and
Development Studies
will need to access after-hour Background Students. Come along
04-463 6194
computer labs, to use the Library, and hear from staff specifically sara.kindon@vuw.ac.nz
and to get student discounts at dedicated to supporting your
movies, stores around town and on learning and life at Victoria, meet
public transport. To get an ID card other students, learn about useful
you must be fully enrolled and your networks and services, and eat
fees must be paid. yummy food. Find out more from
Useful websites
Sara Kindon. StudyLink
www.studylink.govt.nz
Opening Doors | 13“I love working with Refugee-Background
Students in my classes and around the
University. Through our discussions, I learn
so much and expand my own thinking and
teaching skills.”
Sara Kindon, Coordinator of the VUW Network to
Support Refugee-Background Students;
Senior Lecturer, Geography and Development Studies
New Students’ Orientation Campus Coaches programme
The New Students’ Orientation* The Campus Coaches programme
programme helps to give you offers you the opportunity to have
confidence in where to go and a senior student help you for the
what to do before you start your first few weeks of the trimester at
study at Victoria. It is a week- Victoria. You are put into a small
long programme for new students group with other new students
to explore and become familiar studying similar courses to learn
with the campus, participate in more about what Victoria has to
social events, check out the lecture offer. Your Campus Coach can
theatres, learn some academic answer questions you have about
preparation skills, get information study or social life at Victoria.
about the support services at Having a role model to help guide
Victoria, buy textbooks, meet new and motivate you in the first
people and have some fun. few weeks of your study is really
helpful.
You can attend as many
orientation* events as you like. You can pre-register for Campus
Here are some that you won’t want Coaches online or sign-up at the
to miss: Library tour, ‘UniSmart’ beginning of Orientation* week.
motivational session, Study Starters To ensure you get put with a group
Useful websites workshops, and the myVictoria* studying your subject area, it’s best
Campus Coaches IT session. Victoria offers New to pre-register. Visit the website for
www.victoria.ac.nz/campuscoaches Students’ Orientation (page 14) more information.
New Students in the week before classes start in
www.victoria.ac.nz/newstudents
February/March and there is a one-
Orientation day programme for those students
www.victoria.ac.nz/orientation
beginning in July.
14 | Opening DoorsResources to help you get started at
Victoria
New Student Guide Taking on the Challenge
(available in January)
This booklet is designed for
This guide has important International Students studying at
information about what to do Victoria. It contains helpful tips
before you arrive at Victoria, for successful study for students
what to do at the New Students’ who have English as an additional
Orientation* (see page 14), and the language. It also has sections
facilities and services available to explaining New Zealand culture
help you succeed in your studies. and points you towards services on
campus to help and support you
Campus Connections in your study. It is produced by
(available in February) Student Learning Support Services.
This booklet outlines the support Faculty Handbooks
services, workshops*, and (available in August)
programmes available for students
at Victoria. It is produced by These handbooks give detailed
Student Learning Support Services. information about each faculty*,
its schools*, and information about
students and staff.
“Education can change your reputation,
so that’s why we have to put our heads
into our study and put 100% into our
learning. We need to believe in ourselves
to achieve our goals.”
Hibba, 23 year-old first year BA student from Iraq
Opening Doors | 15Checklist Years 9-12: Talk with your school teachers, careers advisors, and adults you trust about career options Go to the School Visit from Victoria University (page 4) Check out the booklet Introduction to Victoria (page 9) Talk with relatives and friends already studying at Victoria In Year 12: Look out for the Discover Vic tour Year 13 and anyone planning on coming to Victoria: Use Introduction to Victoria to plan your study Send form at the back of Introduction to Victoria to go on mailing list Visit Vic Careers (page 5) Go to an Information Evening (page 4) Go to the Study @ Vic Day (page 4) Visit the Student Recruitment, Admission and Orientation team to plan your study (page 3) In the weeks and months before university starts: Choose your courses*, major*(s) and degree* Check out the preparatory programmes (page 10) Consider applying for the Refugee English Fund (page 10) Check out the deadlines for your courses and enrol (page 12) Apply for StudyLink Student Loan or Allowance (page 12) Check out the New Student Guide (page 15) Pre-register for Campus Coaches (page 14) Check out accommodation options (page 6) The week or two before university starts: Go to Welcome Event for Refugee-Background Students (page 13) Go to New Students’ Orientation (page 14) Sign up for Campus Coaches (page 14) Get your Student ID card (page 13) 16 | Opening Doors
Opening Doors | 17
How does
Victoria
Work?
Making your way around and understanding how
Victoria works can be a confusing process for all
students. Here is some information to help you
understand how the University and the courses offered
within it are organised.
Opening Doors | 19University structure
The Vice-Chancellor is the Chief If you have enrolled in a degree*,
Executive of the University, you will be part of a Faculty. Your
and as such is head of the both Faculty Student Administration
administrative and academic Office is where you can go to get
components of the University. The help from student advisors for
Vice-Chancellor is the employer of things like adding or dropping
all staff in the University and chair courses, applying for aegrotats*
of the Senior Management Team. (page 37) and obtaining academic
transcripts*.
Below the Senior Management
Team, Faculties* are the groups Within each Facult* there are
that administer a general area of different Schools*, for example the
study. Victoria University has seven School of Geography, Environment
Faculties: and Earth Sciences is in the
Architecture & Design Faculty of Science. There is a
Head of School who is responsible
Commerce & Administration
for the management of academic
Education programmes, the staff that teach in
Engineering them and the facilities that support
Humanities & Social Sciences teaching and research. Your
school is where you can meet with
Law
your lecturers, get help with your
Science courses, and drop off assignments.
Each school has an Administration
Each Faculty is headed by a Dean.
Office with staff who can help you
with general enquiries.
20 | Opening DoorsWithin each School, a number
of academic programmes are Faculty
offered, coordinated by Programme
• Dean
Directors. Programme Directors
oversee the courses offered for
different majors* and work with
Course Coordinators to ensure the
effective delivery of their courses.
They also handle student questions, School
provide advice on course planning • Head of School
and deal with any complaints
procedures. Course Coordinators
are responsible for the organisation,
content and administration of
a course and are often - but not Programme
always - the principal lecturer in
it. A Tutor or Laboratory Assistant • Programme Director
is the person responsible for the
tutorials* or labs* within a course.
They are usually a postgraduate*
student from the School.
Course
• Course Coordinator
Tutorials/Labs
• Tutors
• Lab Assistants
Opening Doors | 21Undergraduate degree structure
A Bachelor’s degree usually There is also the option to do a
takes three years of full time double major such as International
undergraduate study involving six Relations and Development
or eight courses each year. Each Studies, or a double (conjoint)
course is worth either 15 or 20 degree such as a Bachelor of Arts
points. To receive a Bachelor’s (BA) and a Bachelor of Commerce
degree you must also complete and Administration (BCA).
various requirements:
How you structure your degree
1. University Requirements: a
specified total number of points, can vary and will be influenced by
of which a certain number the requirements of each Faculty
must be from courses at senior administering them and the
undergraduate or 300-level, requirements of each Programme
and of which a certain number administering the majors.
must meet requirements for
at least one major subject. For To work out the best structure
example, you may enroll in a for your degree, take time to talk
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring
with staff in Student Recruitment,
in Geography, which requires
you to take a specific number of Admission and Orientation, check
300-level courses, of which two out the Planning your first year
must be in Geography. website, and check out the short
video on YouTube explaining a first
2. Major Requirements: A major
is the subject you specialize in degree. (Go to YouTube
within your degree. To gain a [www.youtube.com] and in the
major, you will be required to search area, type Choosing your
take a set number of core or degree Victoria University of
compulsory courses as well as Wellington).
choose courses from a range of
other programme areas. Also if you are going to take
3. Faculty Requirements: The a Student Loan or Student
Useful websites Faculty administering your
degree (such as the Science
Allowance, consider both studying
Planning your first year full-time and limiting the number
Faculty for Bachelor of Science of courses you take in any one
www.victoria.ac.nz/newstudents
degree (BSc)) may also have core
Postgraduate study trimester to those you can
requirements that you need to
www.victoria.ac.nz/postgrad
meet. successfully complete.
22 | Opening DoorsCourse organisation
Most of the courses that you take If you want to talk to your lecturer
(eg. MGMT 101, PHIL 102) will in person, check out their office
be organised in the same way. You hours, which will be in your course
will have two or three lectures* outline*. These are times that the
each week, which you should lecturer has put aside to talk to
attend as often as you can. Lectures students, so make the most of
are usually a 50-minute teaching them!
session (but can sometimes be
longer) taught by a lecturer. From During the trimester* you will be
the second week onwards you assessed with tests, assignments
will also have tutorials*, labs* or (usually essays), examinations, and
workshops*, depending on the other kinds of projects (depending
course. These can be mandatory for on your degree). It’s a good idea to
you to attend, check your course find out what is expected for each
outline* for details. assignment and to seek help early.
Also find out what grades you
You will receive your course outline may need to obtain to get into the
at your first lecture. This is like second year of your degree - some
a contract between you and the courses will require a B+ grade
Course Coordinator. It tells you for entry. If you want to improve
who the key people are for your your grades then ask your tutor or
course, where and when to find lecturer for advice on how to build
them, what is required for you to on your strengths.
pass the course, what topics will
be coveredand what resources and
readings you can use. Read it and
go over it with more experienced
students; the Campus Coaches
(page 14) and the Drop In Centre
(page 32) can help.
Opening Doors | 23Successful
Study
Thissectionwillhelpyouunderstandwhatisexpectedof
you as a student. It also has information on the services
andresourcesthatareavailabletoyouandhowtousethe
Library and IT services. It also covers the importance of
time management and gives advice about common
problems or queries.
Opening Doors | 25“To succeed at uni you need to study
hard. If you don’t understand, just push it.
Don’t give up.”
John, 28 year-old BSc graduate student from Sudan
What is expected of students at
“Missing lectures is bad. I Victoria?
learnt that the hard way
when it comes to revision. Attending classes and doing readings
There isn’t much detail in Lecturers expect you to attend as study than catch up, especially
the power points!” many classes (lectures*, labs*, and when you are preparing for exams.
tutorials*) as you can. They are the
best way for you to understand Sometimes the readings can seem
what you are being asked to learn. long or confusing. Often the
For some courses, attendance at lecturers or tutors* will explain
tutorials is compulsory for you to what the readings are about, so
pass the course so make sure to it helps if you read them before
check your course outline* at the going to class. Remember you are
start of the trimester* for what is not expected to understand every
expected of you. word or idea that comes up. Use a
“The University provides a dictionary where necessary; try to
lot of support for students Try to prepare for lectures by get a good overall idea of what is
reading the assigned readings being said, and work with others
and if you don’t understand
for the week. At the very least, in a group to discuss what you are
something in lectures you familiarise yourself with the lecture reading.
can make an appointment topic by glancing over the readings.
with your lecturer or tutor.” It is easier to keep up with your
26 | Opening DoorsAsking questions
At university you are expected to For example, if their name is John
engage in your learning and explore Brown the email will be john. “I am trying to have
your own interests. Try to ask brown@vuw.ac.nz confidence to ask questions
questions in lectures*, labs* and in lectures.”
tutorials*. Tutorials* and labs* are a good
place to start with questions, as
Try not to be afraid to contribute they are smaller and often less
to class discussions. Try writing intimidating than lectures. They
down your question first if you’re are also a good opportunity for you
worried about making grammatical to talk about specific topics that
mistakes. If you need extra interest you. Tutorial plans can
confidence in speaking up loud change to suit your needs, so you
and clear, sit close to the front so can guide the path of the lesson
that your lecturer or tutor can hear by asking questions. You may also
you. If you’re still feeling nervous be assessed on your participation
talk to the lecturer after class or in tutorials, so it is a good idea to
send them an email. All staff emails contribute.
are firstname.lastname@vuw.ac.nz
Opening Doors | 27You can also read
