Supporting your study

You will be supported by our dedicated International team from the moment you apply until you finish your degree.

Living and studying in a foreign country can be both exciting and challenging. At Victoria University of Wellington, you will have access to various student support services to make adjusting to university life easier, including a unique, dedicated International team to meet all your student needs.

We can provide personal, cultural, and academic support. These services are available to students based overseas, which you can read more about on our international offshore student page.

We want to help you make your time at the University a positive and rewarding experience. You can contact us at any time.



Arrival meeting service

If you register for this free meet-and-greet service, a member of our International crew will meet you when you arrive.

International buddy programme

Sign up to our buddy programme and your new buddy will show you around and help you adjust to student life in Wellington.

Health and wellbeing

You can talk to our International Student Advisers if you have any issues or concerns about your health and wellbeing while you are studying.

Study support

You can sign up for free courses to help you improve your study, public speaking, or conversational English skills—or get support if you fall behind in class.

Visa and insurance support

Our International team provides practical support with renewing your student visa, making an insurance claim, and more.

Students under 18 years

Victoria University of Wellington has special obligations to students under the age of 18 to ensure you are well looked after while studying in New Zealand.

Code of practice

New Zealand is a world leader in pastoral care for its international students. As an education provider, we are responsible for your welfare. We follow New Zealand Ministry of Education’s The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. This ensures that all our international students are well-informed, safe, and looked after.

Cultural support

The University has a diverse population of students—our 3,800 international students come from more than 100 countries around the world. There are more than 140 clubs and associations on campus, for cultural groups as well as for creative, social, and sports activities.

If you are from the Pacific, you can join a supportive community of Pasifika staff and students on campus. The University also offers a range of services and resources for students who identify as gender diverse.

Our International team also provides support for students who are experiencing culture shock or finding it hard to adjust to their new life.

Other University support

The University has a wide range of other support services available to all students, which include: