Studying over summer

Find out more about using student services and get key tips for making the most of the summer months.

Whether you are taking a course in Trimester 3, or preparing for study in Trimester 1, your faculty office, academic staff, and our student services are here to support you—get in touch with them if you have questions or need advice. You can access our services both on campus and online, depending on how you are studying with us.

Three students walking together on the waterfront, by sunny weather.

Zumba session at the University's recreation centre.

Student life

The summer is a great time to brush up on your study skills, take care of your wellbeing, and expand your horizons by trying something new.

Five students sitting at a table outside Pasifika Haos and studying together.

Getting ready for Trimester 1

Make sure you’ve re-enrolled, applied for student finance and sorted your accommodation for 2022. Read key dates and how to apply.

Wellbeing and safety support from external services

In a life-threatening emergency or if you are concerned about your safety or the safety of someone you care for, call the emergency services on 111 for an immediate response or visit your nearest emergency department.

To discuss your own or someone else’s acute mental health needs phone Crisis Resolution Services (CRS) Te Haika on 0800 745 477 (available 24 hours).

To talk to someone about non-crisis wellbeing issues contact Need To Talk on 1737 (available 24 hours).

To talk to someone about sexually harmful behaviour contact Safe To Talk on 0800 044 334 (available 24 hours).

To talk to someone about family/domestic violence call Shine’s Helpline on 0508 744 633.

Financial support

Students who are not studying in Trimester 3 and returning to student in Trimester 1 can apply for the Jobseeker Support Student Hardship assistance through StudyLink.

If you have to pay for something urgently, get an unexpected bill, or have a personal emergency, StudyLink may be able to help.

Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling

If you are leaving Wellington over the summer months and are registered with Mauri Ora, remember to order your repeat prescription as far as possible in advance of your travels.

Our hours during the 2023 holiday period:

December 20 and 21 open during normal business hours.
December 22 open between 8.30 am and 3 pm.
Between 23 and 26 December we are closed.
27–28 December open between 9.00 am and 3 pm.
Between 30 December and 2 January we are closed.
3–5 January open between 9.00 am and 3 pm.
8 January our normal business hours resume.

To access medical treatment after-hours, students registered with student health will be given details on how to access Practice Plus, our free virtual after hours service.

If you need to get medical treatment outside of our normal hours, you can talk to a GP online through Practice Plus or go to the Wellington After Hours clinic.

Call us on +64 4 463 5308 to book an appointment.

After hours medical centre

You can also go to the Wellington After Hours Medical Centre at 17 Adelaide Road, Mt Cook, Wellington. They are open between 8 am and 9 pm, Monday to Sunday.

For a domestic student registered with Student Health, the fee is only $27 between 5 pm and 9 pm, and on public holidays and weekends when presenting with student ID. If you attend outside those times (i.e. between 8 am and 5 pm), the consultation fee is $98. This fee will be charged at the time of your appointment with them. For international students, this fee is $200. Additional diagnostic testing, radiology, or prescription fees will be at your own cost.

Admissions and Enrolment

Admissions and Enrolment are open between 20 and 21 December and 3 to 5 January for in-person services. From 8 January regular hours resume. They can be contacted by emailing info@vuw.ac.nz or calling 0800 04 04 04

International students

For currently enrolled international students in New Zealand, if you have an emergency such as hospitalisation, an accident, or other significant event that you need assistance with, please contact the international student emergency phone on +64 27 600 6864.

If your call is not an emergency, please contact us on +64 4 463 5350 after 8 January.

For medical emergencies, call 111 within New Zealand.

For visa or Immigration queries, contact INZ on +64 508 558855 or +64 4 910 9915.

Library

Our 2023 holiday closedown period is Wednesday 20 December 2023 to Sunday 7 January 2024.

Regular hours resume on 8 January 2024.

The new staffed service hours are:

Kelburn Library
8 am–6 pm, Monday to Friday
10 am–6 pm, Saturday to Sunday

Pipitea Libraries
8 am–6 pm, Monday to Friday

Te Aro Library
8 am–6 pm, Monday to Friday

University Recreation Wellington

The Recreation Centre—Kelburn is currently operating under summer opening hours:

Monday to Thursday from 6.30 am to 9.30 pm
Friday from 6.30 am to 8 pm
Weekends from 9 am to 6 pm.
University holidays: closed.
Public holidays: closed.

University retailers and eateries

For information on the opening hours of our retailers and cafes, visit the Food and drink and Healthcare, banking and shops pages.