Frequently Asked Questions
Want to learn more about the International Travel College of New Zealand? Below we have listed answers to questions we get asked on a regular basis. We hope you find this information useful.
If your question is not answered, please send us an email at international@itc.co.nz and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.
You may also like to check out these useful web pages:
ITC English Language Partner Schools
About studying in Auckland
Why study at ITC?
ITC International Prospectus
How many students are there at ITC?
There are approximately 450 students at ITC, studying across four campuses in Auckland Central, South Auckland and Whangarei. Around 10% of the student population are international students, so you will be in a classroom with many people from New Zealand. Class sizes are small (there is a maximum of 22 students) and many international students find it easy to make friends.
How many hours per week will I be expected to be at college?
Students enrolled on full-time courses will be required to be in class for 20 hours per week (9.00 am to 2.30 pm, Monday to Thursday). Students will also need to complete an extra 10-15 hours of self-directed study/homework each week.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, international students need to have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while in New Zealand for the full duration of their course of study. We work closely with Orbit Protect health insurance, a large reputable insurance company and can help you arrange this insurance when you enrol. Please email international@itc.co.nz for advice.
What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
Living in Auckland is cheaper than living in cities such as Sydney or London. To give you an idea, a litre of milk costs around $3.03 and a student movie ticket between $15-$20. For a full table of living costs, please refer to our International Prospectus and also check out the Study in New Zealand ‘Cost of Living‘ page.
It is a good idea to come to New Zealand with plenty of money saved to allow you to make the most out of your time here. In addition to course fees, you will likely need between $20,000 – $25,000 per year ($400 to $600 per week) to cover accommodation, food, transport, phone, internet and other entertainment costs. Other expenses could include insurance, bank fees, utility bills, clothing, holidays and textbooks.
Do I need to find my own accommodation?
Yes. ITC can recommend some temporary accommodation options, such as hotels or hostels, but students are responsible for organising their own housing arrangements. There are a range of different options available. You can live with a local family, in a student hostel or rent an apartment with other students. More information can be found on our Pre-Enrolment Information document and on the NauMai NZ ‘Housing‘ page.
What are the tuition fees?
Tuition fees range from approximately NZD $8,400 to $28,500.
Do I need to speak fluent English?
All ITC courses are taught in English, so students are required to have a certain level of competency in the language. We use the IELTS requirements to test proficiency:
– Level 3 courses: minimum of IELTS 5.0 (General or Academic) overall band, with no band score lower than 5.0
– Level 4 courses: minimum of IELTS 5.5 (General or Academic) overall band, with no band score lower than 5.0
– Level 5 courses: minimum of IELTS 5.5 (Academic) overall band, with no band score lower than 5.0
If you do not have an IELTS Certificate, you will need to provide other evidence of your English language proficiency. You can see other acceptable tests NZQA acceptable English proficiency tests. Other exceptions may also apply for native English speakers, please email international@itc.co.nz for more details.
You may also choose to study English in New Zealand and then pathway to a course at ITC. We partner with a number of English Language Schools in Auckland that offer excellent courses to help you bring your language skills up to the required level.
Can I get a Student ID card?
Yes, in the first week of your course we will take your photo. If you would like a Student ID card, it will cost $20 which is payable in cash to Reception and you will be issued a receipt. It will take 4-5 days for your card to arrive. StudentCard is NZ’s largest student discount card and offers thousands of discounts including bus/train fares in Auckland.
Can I work part time while studying?
International students studying on a Level 4 Certificate or Level 5 Diploma program are allowed to work part time during their studies (up to 20 hours outside of class times) and full time during scheduled and summer holidays.*
When you arrive, we will help you apply for an Inland Revenue (tax) number which is compulsory for every working person in NZ. In the first month of your course ITC tutors will teach a session on creating a NZ-appropriate CV. ITC has a number of job vacancies with our industry partners listed on our ‘jobs page’ which current students and graduates can apply for. We also have two Employment Consultants who can help you with preparing for interviews and employment advice.
You can find out more about working while you study on the NauMai NZ website.
* Work rights are determined by Immigration NZ and subject to change at their discretion.