How does Auckland Advantage™ work?

Think of #AucklandAdvantage as a loyalty programme that gives you several benefits right away and allows you to accumulate credits towards a one course tuition fee waiver.

After completing 120 points online offshore, we will waive the course tuition fee of a subsequent maximum 15-point course. This waiver can be applied to a course offshore online or on campus, if border conditions allow students to return for that semester.

International students studying online in Semester One 2020 received several generous benefits from the University, such as a free Summer School course and a free repeat for eligible courses failed online. The course tuition fee waiver in Auckland Advantage^TM cannot be combined with Semester One 2020 benefits. The Auckland Advantage^TM course tuition fee waiver eligibility calculation begins from Semester Two 2020. Even though this programme was rolled out during Semester One 2021, we will count previous online points from Semester Two 2020.

The University of Auckland will contact you directly when you become eligible for the Auckland Advantage^TM one free course offer. The eligibility letter will include instructions on how to take up the offer:

1. Enrol in your courses as normal and pay your fees before the Fees due date.
2. We will automatically waive the course fee of the least expensive course you enrol in after the deadline for changing enrolments. The waiver will show in your student account as a credit once processed.
3. You can choose to keep the credit to pay for your future enrolment, or you can request a Fees refund. Don’t worry! You won’t be charged the standard $60 refund processing fee.
   

Please note that the free course offer will expire if you don’t enrol within two semesters of gaining eligibility.

Please email aucklandadvantage@auckland.ac.nz if you have any questions.

Example A

Lakshmi began studying offshore online in Semester Two 2020 for her bachelors degree with the University of Auckland. At the end of Semester One 2021, she has paid for and completed 120 points. She will enrol in her chosen courses for Semester Two 2021. Normal tuition fees will be applied to her student fees account. In the third week of classes for Semester Two 2021, a course tuition fee waiver will be applied to her student account for the tuition fees due for the least expensive course in her schedule, to a maximum of 15 points.

If Lakshmi has already paid for her chosen courses the course tuition fee waiver will generate a credit onto her student fees account. Lakshmi may choose to leave that credit on her student fees account, to be used against future charges, or she may choose to request a refund if the student fees account has a credit balance.

If Lakshmi graduates and stops studying as she finishes 120 credit points online offshore, she will not receive the course tuition fee waiver. It will only be applied to subsequent study. If Lakshmi continues to study under another programme, for example commencing a postgraduate programme, we will apply the course tuition fee waiver to the least expensive course in her next term of enrolment (Quarter, Semester, or Summer School) to a maximum of 15 points. Lakshmi must use the course tuition fee waiver within two semesters of completing the 120 points to gain eligibility.

Example B

Zhang Wei was unable to enter New Zealand when the border restrictions began in late February 2020. He studied online in Semester One 2020 and worked with University advisers on an approved study plan. Because of this, he received a generous offer of two free Summer School courses to be used in Summer (January) 2021 or 2022. The course tuition fee waiver in Auckland Advantage^TM cannot be combined with Semester One 2020 benefits. Zhang Wei is therefore not eligible for the course tuition fee waiver under Auckland Advantage^TM. He can take up other benefits in Auckland Advantage^TM.

Example C

Quan failed a course in Semester One 2020. As we moved to online delivery rapidly for offshore and onshore students that semester, we allowed students to repeat any single semester course they failed for free the next time that course is scheduled. Despite his best efforts, Quan failed a course that semester. The course tuition fee waiver in Auckland Advantage^TM cannot be combined with Semester One 2020 benefits. Students eligible for the free repeat are excluded from the course tuition fee waiver under Auckland Advantage^TM. Quan can take up other benefits in Auckland Advantage^TM.

Summary

Lakshmi, Zhang Wei and Quan can apply to participate in the other benefits of the Auckland Advantage^TM programme. Most of these benefits are subject to availability.

Most of the other benefits available under Auckland Advantage^TM can be accessed while studying offshore online, no minimum credits required. Some are only available on campus, as detailed below. They are subject to availability and interested students should request access to each programme or housing benefit directly.

Free course

The course tuition fee waiver is explained above.

Study Buddies

These are particularly helpful for new students as they navigate our systems and become accustomed to studying online. The team of study buddies is managed by the Student Contact Centre and adjusted according to demand. Visit Study Buddies to request a Study Buddy.

University of Auckland China Learning Centres

We plan to continue to offer University of Auckland China Learning Centres until New Zealand border restrictions are lifted. These are normally operational for Semesters One and Two but not during Summer School. Students in China may choose to join a China Learning Centre at their discretion. This has no impact on the other benefits in Auckland Advantage^TM.

Summer Start International

Summer Start International is a special programme to help International students already in New Zealand and finishing secondary studies in a New Zealand school or completing a foundation programme. The programme is open to all onshore International New Zealand school and foundation leavers. Participants are eligible for a scholarship for free on-campus housing.

Virtual microinternships

We plan to schedule 1,500 virtual microinternship placements with New Zealand companies in 2021 and again in 2022. These will be run outside of normal semester dates with one session in July and another in November/December. These are open to any International student studying online offshore, within the limit of available places. When the application process is open, we will announce the programme to all offshore International students with a link to the application page.

Career Development and Employability Services

Our Career Development and Employability Services have been voted best in New Zealand multiple times. CDES frequently develops new programming for students including offshore International students. All students have access to the range of CDES services, subject to availability for programmes with limited spaces, such as the Workplace Insights Programme. Programmes will be promoted directly to offshore students with a link to the application page.

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship  

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship runs a whole series of extra-curricular programming on campus. Many of these take place in our distinctive Unleash Space. These are very popular with International students. This programming is designed to be delivered in person, so these programmes are for you to look forward to when you are able to join us on campus in Auckland.