| International application info |
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Conditions of Acceptance | Accommodation | Student Visas | Working in New Zealand | Health requirements | Road safety | FAQ | Code of Practice - Pastoral Care
Conditions of Acceptance
International students who are citizens of countries whose first language is NOT english, need to provide the following with their application form and submissions:
- A validated IELTS Test Report (general level) with a result of Band 6 or TEOFL Paper 550, iBT 79-80. (For information on IELTS testing visit www.ielts.org)
- If a student wishes to specialise in Directing on the Film & Television Production Course, IELTS Band 7 or TEOFL Paper 600, iBT 100 will be required.
- A certified copy of the student's passport showing residency status and date of birth.
- A copy of the student's health insurance policy on enrolment.
- A verified copy of the certificate(s) gained from having successfully completed a full course of secondary education in the student's home country.
- Application fee of NZ$100.00
International students who are citizens of countries whose first language IS english, need to provide the following with their application form and submissions:
- All written submissions as outlined on the application form.
- A certified copy of the student's passport showing residency status and date of birth.
- A copy of the student's health insurance policy on enrolment.
- A verified copy of the certificates(s) gained from having successfully completed a full course of secondary education in the student's home country.
- Application fee of NZ$100.00
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Accommodation
South Seas Student House
South Seas understands that some international students feel happier if they know where they are going to live during the school year. To assist these students South Seas provides a safe, clean and comfortable five-bedroom house within walking distance from the school so that students are free to concentrate on the course from the first day.
The house is fully furnished and managed by South Seas personnel. Each student has their own bedroom with a bed, a study table and closet. The living room, bathrooms and laundry are shared. Fridges, washing machines, dishwasher, kitchen utensils, and crockery are all provided. This house is set on its own land with pleasant surrounds of grass and trees.
The house, located in Wairau Road, Glenfield, is five minutes' walk from the school. It has a really big backyard - great for those summer barbeque parties. An open deck leads to the back yard. This house is very spacious and sunny and was recently renovated with new curtains, carpets and paint.
Rental prices are available on request from South Seas reception. Contact us on info@southseas.co.nz or ph. 64 9 444 3253
Comments from previous tenants:
"After coming from a background of living in small student flats, I wanted a place where I could stretch my legs and found it in our student house. The room I have here is even better than the one I have back home. I really love my new house."
- Tom Mackie, Canada
"Our house is very clean, airy and spacious, a great outdoor area for our barbeque parties, feels just like home. Having flatmates who are from all over the world and doing the same course is really helping in broadening my horizons."
- Meenal Surtani, Singapore
"I thought I would be getting a small student flat on arrival but was pleasantly surprised at the big size of our house. It also has a lot of open spaces around it and within days we had bought a barbeque and were having our little parties outside in the Kiwi summer. From the airport straight into the warm and fully furnished house really took out all the tension of relocating to a new country. Thank you South Seas!"
- Joe Olkkonen, Finland
Private rentals or places in existing rentals
There are a large number of rooms available in private flats or apartments in Auckland. We have included the website link below to help you in your search for accommodation. (Trade Me is an independent online auction site and is in no way associated with south Seas.)
www.trademe.co.nz
Hostel Option
There is a hostel on the North Shore available to students. This is on the bus route to South Seas and has proved a popular choice for students both from overseas and new to Auckland. For details on this option, please visit www.unihouse.co.nz
For help with finding any accommodation contact us on info@southseas.co.nz or ph. 64 9 444 3253
Note: While we are happy to advise students of any available accommodation that becomes known to us and will actively assist students in finding suitable accommodation, we do this in good faith and are unable to offer any guarantees about facilities or conditions in properties not directly owned by South Seas Film & Television School.
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Student Visas
Before a Student Visa can be issued, the applicant needs to complete the following process:
International students need to return their application and pre-enrolment documents to South Seas by fax or email and pay the deposit fee by bank credit transfer.
The offer of a place on the course from South Seas (and evidence of payment of fees) is required by NZ immigration Service (NZIS) before issuing a student visa.
South Seas can help you by emailing or faxing the letter directly to NZIS if required. Remember that NZIS will only issue a visa for the length of time for which your course fees have been paid. (Please email us if you need to know more.)
Students taking courses lasting 36 weeks or longer, which is all of our one-year fulltime courses, must provide evidence to satisfy a visa or immigration officer that:
- They have NZ$10,000.00 per year available to maintain themselves during their stay in New Zealand (travellers' cheques or bank documents in the student's name are acceptable);
- Or (if they are citizens of Samoa and Tonga), a written guarantee of maintenance from a relative in New Zealand who is either a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS), and can be viewed on their website at: www.immigration.govt.nz
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Working in New Zealand
All eligible students will be able to apply to work for up to 20 hours in any given week during the academic year. Also, a student undertaking a training course of 12 months or more will be able to apply to work full-time over the summer holidays.
International students who do not have an offer of employment but who have graduated from a course that would gain points under Skilled Migrant Category (South Seas courses fall under this category) may be eligible for a six-month open work permit.
Some countries have a working holiday scheme with New Zealand where if you are younger than 30 years of age you can stay and work in New Zealand for up to one year after graduating.
For more information on working in New Zealand, please visit the New Zealand Government Immigration website: www.immigration.govt.nz
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Health Requirements
International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. For assistance with arranging insurance please contact South Seas: info@southseas.co.nz or phone 64 9 444 3253.
If you receive medical treatment during your visit and you do not have full medical insurance, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website at www.moh.govt.nz.
New Zealand has medical screening requirements in place for international students applying to study in New Zealand. For details please visit the New Zealand Immigration website: www.immigration.govt.nz
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Road Safety
Weather conditions can change quickly during the day, making driving sometimes dangerous. Roads can be narrow and not very straight and care must be taken at all times.
The open road speed limit is 100km/hr and in the cities it is normally 50km/hr. The law requires the car driver and all passengers to wear seat belts at all times. Also helmets are compulsory for all motorcyclists and cyclists in New Zealand.
All cars must have current registration and a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) before they are allowed on the roads. Car insurance is also necessary.
More information on driving in New Zealand can be obtained from the New Zealand Transport Agency: www.nzta.govt.nz
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FAQ
Auckland
Q: What is the average summer/winter temperature?
A: 20-23c (70-76F) summer/ 14-17c (58-64F) winter.
Q: What is the population of Auckland?
A: 1.3 million.
Q: What does Auckland as a place to study, have to offer?
A: Many beautiful beaches, hundreds of cafes and restaurants, cinemas, theatres, bush walks, island cruises, good climate, multi cultural society, diving, bush walks, swimming and much more.
South Seas Film & Television School
Q: Do I need some film making skills before attending?
A: Some basic knowledge is all that's required although the courses will also be suitable for those with ideas and a passion for the industry.
Q: Is the equipment you use broadcast quality?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I use the equipment at weekends?
A: It can be arranged when available.
Q: How long has South Seas been operating?
A: Since 1992.
Q: How many students in total attend South Seas?
A: Around 150.
Q; How far is the school from the central city?
A: 15km.
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Code of Practice - Pastoral Care
South Seas Film & Television School Ltd has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website at www.minedu.govt.nz
Introduction
When students from other countries come to study in New Zealand, it is important that those students are well informed, safe, and properly cared for.
New Zealand educational providers have an important responsibility for international students' welfare.
This document provides an overview of the "Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students" (the Code), and provides a procedure that students can follow if they have concerns about their treatment by a New Zealand educational provider or agent of a provider.
What is the Code?
The Code is a document that provides a framework for service delivery by educational providers and their agents to international students. The Code sets out the minimum standards of advice and care that are expected of educational providers with respect to international students. The Code applies to pastoral care and provision of information only, and not to academic standards.
Who does the Code apply to?
The Code applies to all education providers in New Zealand with international students enrolled. The Code is mandatory to these providers and must be signed by them.
What is an "international student"?
An "international student" is a foreign student studying in New Zealand.
How can I get a copy of the Code?
You can request a copy of the Code from your New Zealand education provider. The Code is also available online from www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international.
How do I know if an education provider has signed the Code?
The New Zealand Ministry of Education maintains a register of all signatories to the Code. This is available online from www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international. If the education provider that you are seeking to enrol with is not a signatory to the Code, you will not be granted a permit from the New Zealand Immigration Service and you will not be able to study at that institution.
What do I do if something goes wrong?
If you have concerns about your treatment by your education provider or by an agent of the provider, the first thing you must do is contact the principal, the international student director, or another person who has been identified to you as someone that you can approach about complaints at your institution. The Code requires all institutions to have fair and equitable internal grievance procedures for students and you need to go through these internal processes before you can take the complaint any further.
If your concerns are not resolved by the internal grievance procedures, you can contact the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA).
What is the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA)?
The IEAA is an independent body established to deal with complaints from international students about pastoral care aspects of advice and services received from their education provider or the provider's agents. The IEAA enforces the standards in the Code of Practice.
You can write to the IEAA at:
International Education Appeal Authority
C/- Ministry of Education
Private Bag 47-911
Ponsonby
Auckland
Fax: (09) 374 5403
Phone: (09) 374 5481
Email: info.ieaa@minedu.govt.nz
What will the IEAA do?
The purpose of the IEAA is to adjudicate on complaints from international students. The IEAA will investigate complaints and determine if there has been a breach of the Code. The IEAA has the power to impose sanctions on education providers who have committed a breach of the Code that is not a serious breach. These sanctions include an order for restitution, publication of the breach, and/or requiring that remedial action be undertaken.
The IEAA will refer complaints that are not about pastoral care to another regulatory body if appropriate.
The education provider will be given a reasonable time to remedy the breach. If the breach is not remedied within that time, the IEAA may refer the complaint to the Review Panel.
The IEAA can determine if it considers that a breach of the Code is a serious breach. If the breach is a serious breach, the IEAA will refer the complaint to the Review Panel.
What can the Review Panel do?
The Review Panel can remove or suspend an education provider as a signatory to the Code, meaning that the provider would be prevented from taking any more international students. Only the IEAA can refer complaints to the Review Panel.
Summary
The Code sets standards for education providers to ensure that:
- high professional standards are maintained
- the recruitment of international students is undertaken in an ethical and responsible manner
- information supplied to international students is comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date
- students are provided with information prior to entering into any commitments
- contractual dealings with international students are conducted in an ethical and responsible manner
- the particular needs of international students are recognised
- international students are in safe accommodation
- all providers have fair and equitable internal procedures for the resolution of international student grievances
Full details of what is covered can be found in the Code itself.
The Code also establishes the IEAA and the Review Panel to receive and adjudicate on student complaints.
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Student Profile
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MENA WALKER | 2008
Mena often watched the news on Māori Television and was impressed by the voice quality and Te Reo skills of news presenter Orinii Kiapara. He read that Orinii was a graduate of the South Seas Film and Television production course. Mena enrolled in the course straight from school. After graduating, Mena said, “I am determined to get a job that will give me more quality learning opportunities, just like I got at South Seas.” He soon got a job at Cinco Cine productions where he works as continuity assistant on “Korero Mai” a te reo Māori language programme broadcast on TVNZ.
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