Life on campus

University accommodation
You have several accommodation options at The University of Auckland. These include self-catering residences and three Halls of Residence. Additionally, temporary accommodation is available if you want to find your own housing after arriving in New Zealand.

For more information about university accommodation and to apply online, visit Accommodation Services.

Online accommodation application
Students apply online for university accommodation. This is a seperate application to your application for the Study Abroad or Exchange programme. Study Abroad and Exchange students are encouraged to apply for University accommodation as soon as possible. You don't need to be accepted to The University of Auckland to apply for accommodation.
The online application page times out after 20 minutes of inactivity. Applicants are given an ID and password for their accommodation application (this is different than your Student ID and password).

Online application tips:

• Course Information:
  • Institution: University of Auckland
  • Programme/Plan: As appropriate (Study Abroad or Official Exchange)
  • Comments/Length of Study: As appropriate (1 semester or 1 year)
  • Tick the first year of study at the University of Auckland box
  • Tick the scholarship/Study Abroad/International student box
  • Provide the full name and details of the programme or scholarship: As appropriate (Study Abroad or Official Exchange).

• Education: Complete Tertiary Qualifications as appropriate. Leave the rest blank.
• Referees: Study Abroad and Exchange students don't need to provide any referees. Please indicate that your referee is the International Office.
• Personal Profiles: Complete in as much detail as possible. Accommodation Services look at this closely when they're selecting students. 

Private rental accommodation
There is a wide range of rental accommodation available close to the university, ranging from fully furnished apartments to houses (flats), which you can share with a group of others.
Flats are often the least expensive option. With these you sign a tenancy agreement and share the cost of electricity, phone and food. Some flats are furnished; otherwise you can buy second-hand furniture at a reasonable cost.
If you are on your own, there are often opportunities to move in with an existing group - this can be a good way to meet New Zealanders. Look under “flatmates wanted” online. You may also, after you arrive at The University of Auckland, check the noticeboard in Student Central (ground floor of the quad) for private accommodation opportunities.
See more information on Private accommodation options.

Temporary accommodation
Temporary accommodation is available at your own cost through Accommodation Services if you need time to look for your own housing. You can request temporary accommodation at the same time you book your airpot pickup. The form is sent to you with your offer of admission.
Alternatively, you can book into one of the backpacker lodges that offer inexpensive accommodation close to the university.
For information about backpacker lodges, go to www.innz.co.nz.  

The University of Auckland offers a free airport pickup for international students coming to Auckland for the first time. An airport pickup request form will be included in your acceptance email. This service is only for your first arrival in Auckland.

We strongly recommend that you attend our orientation programme for international students, which takes place one week before the semester begins. We provide lots of information to help you settle in, there are free outings and events, and it's a great way to meet other students.

To find out more see the International orientation website.

Good advice about many aspects of day-to-day life. Banking, driving, churches, shopping, travel - it’s all here: Living in Auckland and New Zealand.

See also the International Student Handbook. You can pick up a hard copy of this at the International Student Centre once you arrive in Auckland.

Generally, courses are assessed through a combination of coursework (assignments and tests) and a final written examination (two to three hours long).

Most courses are taught over one semester and are examined at the end of the course. Study Abroad and Exchange students are assessed and graded in the same way as all other students.

Final exams take place during the last three weeks of each semester. Your exams may be scheduled at any point during those three final weeks. Specific exam timetables are posted on Student Services Online approximately six weeks after the start of each semester. If you are accepted, be sure to make your return travel plans after the final date of the semester. You cannot negotiate to change your exam timetable.

Exam results are usually available on Student Services Online 10 days after the exam.
For more information see Exam results.

Note: exam results are not the same as an official transcript.

Exchange students and some Study Abroad students get one free University of Auckland transcript at the end of their studies. If applicable, the International Office will send your official University of Auckland transcript to home university approximately four weeks after the end of your study period at Auckland. The transcript shows the final grades for each course you’ve taken.

If you’d like to order your own official transcript, you can do so by following the instructions on the Transcripts website.

Email
Every student is given a University of Auckland email address. Yours will be your NetID followed by @aucklanduni.ac.nz (ie jsmi001@aucklanduni.ac.nz). Email is the University's preferred method of communication and all emails will be sent to your University email address. You should check this email regularly or set up a redirect to your normal email address.

For more information or to log into your email see the EC email website.
 
Internet on campus
All students choose between two internet access plans - the Standard Plan (free) and the Premium Plan.

See Internet Access for Students

COPEX: Certificate of Proficiency (Exchange). A code used for Exchange students to designate that they are non-degree students at The University of Auckland (there is no actual certificate, but you will receive an official University of Auckland academic transcript after you complete your studies).

COPOS: Certificate of Proficiency (Overseas). A code used for Study Abroad students to designate that they are non-degree students at The University of Auckland (there is no actual certificate, but you can request an official University of Auckland academic transcript after you complete your studies).

Course outline: a syllabus detailing the course description or objective, the number of hours per week it is taught, how the course is assessed, and the texts that are used. This is not the same as a transcript.

Exchange student: a student from one of our official exchange partners who comes to Auckland as a non-degree student for one or two semesters and does not pay tuition fees to The University of Auckland but continues to pay tuition fees to the home university.

Paper: means ‘course’. In addition to a lecture, the paper may have a lab, tutorial, plenary session or field trip associated with it.

Points: units by which Auckland courses are weighted (valued). Courses are weighted at 10, 15, 20 or 30 points, with most at 15 points (see Course Catalogue in Student Services Online for point assignments).

Prerequisite: a course you must pass before you are able to move on to a higher-level course.

Stage: level of a course. For example, Stage 1 is a first-year course; Stage 2 is a second-year course.

Study Abroad student: a student from a university that is not one of our exchange partners or who is not coming to Auckland within an exchange programme from his home university,and comes to study at Auckland as a non-degree student for one or two semesters and pays tuition fees to Auckland.

Syllabus: Comprehensive information about a course, including the course description or objective, the number of hours per week it is taught, how the course is assessed and the texts that are used.

Transcript: a university's official record of the courses you have taken and the grades you have earned for them. This is not the same as a course outline.

Tutorial: a small learning group that you attend in conjunction with your lectures. Tutorials help to clarify any questions that may have arisen from the lecture. Generally, attending tutorials is compulsory.

University of Auckland Calendar: a legal document outlining the statutory framework under which the University is empowered to operate. Study Abroad and Exchange coordinators and overseas representatives are provided with one copy. It includes University regulations and brief descriptions of courses offered. It is known as a ‘catalogue’ at some universities.

To learn more about Auckland and Aotearoa/New Zealand, the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’, check out these websites:

• Tourism Auckland
• Tourism New Zealand 
• Department of Conservation
• World Clock
• Driving in New Zealand
• Weather and Climate
• Currency Conversion