Study support

Find out about the study support available to international students.

International student advisers are here to support all current international, study abroad, exchange, English programme, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. If you are not sure where to find help, the International Student Experience team is a great place to start.

We understand that living and studying in a foreign country can be challenging and that it comes with its highs and lows—talking about it can help. You can talk to us if:

you’re finding learning at our university very different from home
you’re finding it hard to meet people and are feeling isolated
things aren't going so well back home, and you can’t concentrate on your studies
you need help with practical or day-to-day life matters.

You can book an appointment with an International Student Adviser, or find out about the services on offer at the University and how to access them.

Manage your studies

If you need help to manage your studies or have questions about your course or qualification, your Tītoko—Student Success Adviser is here to help with everything you need for a smooth academic journey. You can contact them for degree planning, enrolment, change of courses, assessments, grades, or any other academic matters.

Find out how to manage your studies.

Learning support

Student Learning offers individual appointments to support students to develop the writing, thinking, study, and math skills necessary for success.

Student Learning also runs useful, fun, and interactive workshops for international students. Such workshops can help international students to:

prepare you for studying in New Zealand
improve your confidence in communicating with Kiwis and overcoming cultural barriers
give presentations in English
practise your conversational English
improve your grammar and punctuation
learn how to use AI responsibly
improve your exam skills.

More about Student Learning courses for international students.

Academic monitoring programme

Support at the University is in place to help you succeed academically. We run an academic monitoring programme to help identify and provide one-to-one assistance to students who are struggling in their courses. Under our Admission and Enrolment Regulations, students’ enrolment can be restricted if they don’t make satisfactory progress. Making good progress is also a condition of your student visa.

If you fail more than 50 percent of your courses in a trimester, you’ll be referred to an academic monitoring programme with the International Student Experience team. An international student adviser will give you confidential help to:

improve your study performance
identify the areas where you need to improve
achieve success.

Learn more about study support.

Language support

Learning in a different language can be challenging and proficiency in academic English is your key to academic success. There are a number of ways you can get support to practice your English skills here at VUW.

The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme

Proficiency in English is your key to academic success. The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme will develop your English language and academic skills for study at university.

There are two courses:

WRIT 151 (Writing in English as a Second Language)

WRIT151 is designed to improve the writing of students for whom English is a second or other language. During the course, students practise techniques for generating, drafting and revising writing for a range of purposes, with an emphasis on addressing problems faced by second-language writers.

English conversation hour (in-person)

The English conversation hour provides a relaxed and informal environment where you can make social connections with international students. Students lead the sessions, and typical conversation activities include language games and talking on a particular topic/theme, such as aspects of New Zealand culture and your own culture.

Every Friday at 3 pm, KK001

Virtual English conversation hour

The virtual English conversation hour is an informal online space where international students connect and practice English together. Led by students, sessions include language games and conversations about New Zealand culture and your own.

Join us online to meet others and improve your English—wherever you are.

Language learning resources

Discover a range of helpful resources, including free online practice materials and learning tips. These are designed to enhance your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in your preferred language. Explore instructional videos from the English Language Institute at Victoria University of Wellington, demonstrating effective language learning techniques.

Find out more about language learning resources.

IT support

Digital Solutions offers specialised support in:

software and hardware
learning and teaching technology
research assistance
project management
application development
procurement
training
IT security.

Pastoral care for international students

As an education provider, we’re responsible for the welfare of our international students. The Government’s Pastoral Care Code of Practice sets out the University’s role and responsibilities in ensuring the wellbeing and safety of all our students. The Code applies to all domestic and international students, including those studying remotely and outside of New Zealand.