FAQ's
How do I know if I have been accepted onto the programme I apply for?
When you have been accepted onto the programme/programmes you apply for, CPIT will send you the following acceptance documents:
- Statement of Fees
- Offer of Place
The Statement of Fees explains the fees you are required to pay to study at CPIT. It also states the terms and conditions of acceptance of your Path of Study as indicated on the International Pre departure guide and the payment due date.
The Offer of Place officially accepts you onto your chosen path of study, providing you comply with the enrolment conditions and you pay your fees by the due date.
Once you have paid your fees, you may use the Offer of Place, together with your receipt, to apply to Immigration New Zealand for a student visa.
What does a 'Conditional Offer' mean?
CPIT may still accept international students onto a programme conditionally if they don't quite meet all the entry requirements for the programme they applied for. The Offer of Place will clearly outline what conditions you are required to meet before you can begin to study the programme you have been accepted for. The study required can almost always be undertaken at CPIT.
For example: you may be accepted onto a programme which requires a certain level of English. This means that you will need to prove that you have the required English level to study for that programme before the programme starts. Alternatively you can enrol to study English at our School of English Language to achieve the required English level before you start your academic study.
What should I do if I do not meet all the 'Conditions' before the Programme starts?
If you do not meet all the conditions before the programme commencement, don't panic! Talk to us and we will help you to work out an alternative path of study. You may need to study more English, or undertake one of our Foundation programmes, depending upon your situation. We will arrange your study based on your individual needs, and you can defer your original plans until the next intake.
Who is my first point of contact for applications and enrolments?
Our International Admissions Team will be the first point of contact for enrolment issues and it is where we hold your details. Our contact details are:
International Admissions Team
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology [CPIT]
City Campus Madras Street
P O BOX 540
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Tel: +64 3 940 8000
Fax: +64 3 366 6544
Email: intladmissions@cpit.ac.nz
Feel free to talk to us if you have any questions.
When and how do I pay for the tuition fees?
Your 'Statement of Fees' will have a final date for fees payment. This means that you must pay your fees by this date to ensure you secure your enrolment at CPIT.
Preferred Method - Custom House
CPIT prefers students paying fees from outside of New Zealand to use the Custom House payment option. Custom House is a safe and fast payment method that enables CPIT to quickly identify your payment so an Offer of Place can be issued in a timely manner for student visa purposes.
Custom House is simple and easy to use, and provides you with the option to pay in your local currency or in various major currencies, as well as enabling you to track the payment progress on the website.
Please read the Custom House payment instructions before proceeding to the on-line payment system below.
Custom House Payment Instructions (PDF: 205KB)
Please click on the Custom House logo below to begin payment. Important: you should only begin this process on the day you are ready to pay your fees, as once you have received authorisation you must make the payment within 48 hours.
Alternative Methods
If you are unable to pay using the preferred Custom House method, you may use one of the following methods:
-
Bank Transfer (telegraphic transfer) to CPIT’s bank account using the details below. Please include your name and Student ID number in payment information. Payments will incur a $30 bank charge.
Christchurch Polytechnic Council
Bank of New Zealand
129 Hereford Street Branch
Hereford Street
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
Account No: 02-0800-0911670-00
Attention: International
Swift Code: BKNZNZ22800
- Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express
- Bank Cheque (made out in New Zealand Dollars)
- EFTPOS/Cash if you are in New Zealand. Please note that for safety reasons we advise that students do not carry large amounts of cash.
All bank charges are to be met by the student.
What if I change my mind about studying at CPIT?
If you change your mind about studying at CPIT, you MUST let us know as soon as possible about your decision.
Think carefully about your study decision before you commit. It is important that you know you are making a commitment to yourself and CPIT, therefore you are committed to your 'Path of Study' when you make the payment.
If you change your mind before you arrange to pay your fees, please let us know so that we can accept another student in your place.
If you change your mind after you have paid your fees, please understand that the Refund policy for international students will be applied to your case and New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) will be notified.
What is the cost of living in Christchurch?
Christchurch offers high quality living for a reasonable cost. To give you an idea, the examples provided are quoted in New Zealand dollars as at February 2008, and are subject to change:
Cappuccino $3.50
Can of Coca-Cola $1.50
Eggs (12) $3.50
Rice 1 kg $1.65
Loaf of bread $2.50
Litre of milk $2.00
McDonald's Big Mac $4.45
Local newspaper $1.20
Movie Ticket $12.00 - $16.00
Bus fare (one-way) $2.50
Bicycle - new $300 to $2,000
Bicycle - second-hand $50 to $500
Motorcar - second-hand $1,000 to $30,000
Are there any additional costs that I need to be aware of?
As well as the tuition fees and general living expenses, please budget for NZ$1,000 - NZ$2,000 for additional costs for other items. For example:
- text books
- exam fees
- uniforms
- equipment
- field trips
- stationery
- miscellaneous items