Students Life

English Score Requirement

MINIMUM IELTS SCORE

MINIMUM TOEFL IBT

Note: Language proficiency requirements can vary on program basis.

Accomodation

But choose wisely because part of having a great experience here is being happy in your home life too. Auckland is a big city with lots of different living options; inner-city excitement or tranquil bush settings; apartment-living or a shared flat.

The area you choose to live in will affect your rent cost and lifestyle. Be sure to consider factors such as commuting, public transport and access to OPAIC. Find information on Auckland suburbs at Hometopia.

As well as location, there are different types of accommodation for you to think about. Look at all the options available and choose what best suits your personal needs and budget. Here are some of the most popular options:

Apartments

There are many popular apartments for international students in the city centre that are suitable for both short and long-term accommodation including Unilodge, Empire Apartments, Princeton Apartments, and Columbia Apartments. Impression Real Estate, just up the road from campus, is another good place to visit when looking for an apartment to rent.

Shared living (we call this “flatting”)

Living with other students or friends is cost-effective as you share costs such as rent, utilities and sometimes even the food bill if you do shared meals. Check out our student Facebook group, called OPAIC Student Community. Lots of students post here looking for roommates or accommodation. You can also search for rentals on the TradeMe website. Visit the Tenancy Services website to learn about the rights and responsibilities of renters in New Zealand.

Homestay Accommodation

Homestays are a popular form of accommodation for international students and visitors, especially for those who want to improve their English and experience New Zealand culture. It is a great way to settle in a new country and get to know its surroundings. Two homestay providers we work with are Host Families NZ and Auckland Homestay Services.

Host Families NZ matches students and visitors with their ideal host family by providing each party with a detailed profile. You can feel safe and secure knowing that all host families are interviewed, and police screened. Whether you’re looking for short-term or long-term stays, their dedicated and experienced team match you with your ideal host. The placement fee is $300 and weekly accommodation is $330. Additional fees may be charged if you have special food requirements. You can expect a safe and welcoming family environment, a private bedroom, laundry availability, breakfast and dinner every day, lunches over the weekends, internet, electricity and water, and 24-hour support in case of an emergency. For more information, please email [email protected] or call them on 021 026 91882. You can also visit their website here.

Auckland Homestay Services arrange for students to stay in the welcoming home of an approved family in Auckland. Your stay includes all meals and a private, furnished bedroom. The cost is $350 per week for two meals Monday-Friday and three meals Saturday and Sunday. There is also a $300 placement fee. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Be sure to do your research before committing to something permanent. If you're unsure, it's a good idea to book some short-term accommodation for your arrival to give you some time to get a feel for the city, and the people you meet. Then you can confidently commit to a longer-term lease.

Scholarships

2024 Scholarships For International Students

• $5,000 off the Master of Applied Management
• $3,000 off the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Management
• $12,000 off the Bachelor of Applied Management ($4,000 per year)
• $12,000 off the Bachelor of Information Technology ($4,000 per year)
• $12,000 off the Bachelor of Construction ($4,000 per year)
• $8,000 off the New Zealand Diploma in Construction ($4,000 per year)
• $2,000 off the New Zealand Certificate in English Language

Women’s Scholarships

From July, we are introducing Women’s Scholarships to help encourage female, female-identifying, and nonbinary students into our programmes.
These students will receive $1,000 off our Information Technology and Construction programmes and $500 off our other programmes. This scholarship will apply only to the first year of each programme. The Women'sScholarships will be applied on top of our 2024 Launch Scholarships.

Features of Otago Polytechnic - Auckland Campus