Prepare your student for university
Support your child or whānau before university. Help them choose what to study, how to apply and understand available financial help and scholarships.
You play an important role in helping students decide where and what to study, and supporting them to succeed.
Get to know us
We visit most schools in New Zealand twice each year and hold information evenings in many regions.
Our Open Day is a great opportunity for you and your student to get a feel for what life at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is like.
You can also contact us during work hours by phone or email, or visit us on campus in Wellington or at our Auckland office. We offer campus tours, one-to-one course planning appointments, and opportunities to check out our halls of residence throughout the year.
Help them choose—but let them decide
Motivation is critical to study success, so you need to let your student make up their own mind about what to study. Allow them to think about their skills, interests, and career goals to support their decision making. If they’re not sure about their future direction, encourage them to plan their first year carefully to keep their options open.
Our introductory guide is designed to help your student discover more about the University and reflect on their skills, goals and future study pathways.
It’s okay for students to change their mind about their course of study in the first year, and make changes to their courses or majors. In many cases, they won’t take any extra time to complete their studies.
If you're worried about their career or study options, encourage them to talk to a careers adviser or a course adviser.
The application process
The first step in supporting your student's application process is ensuring they’re on track to meet the University’s admission requirements.
They need to have decided their course of study before applying, and we advise applying as early as possible. See all the important dates for applying to enrol.
Financing their study
You’ll also need to talk together about how they will finance their degree. This includes both paying for their courses and covering living expenses. Having a plan eases any financial pressure and enables them to stay focused on study rather than finances.
Read our Financial Survival Guide for more tips and ideas on managing finances while studying.
Student loans and allowances can also help finance your student's study.
They may also be eligible for one of thousands of scholarships we offer each year, including scholarships specifically for Māori students and the school-leaver scholarship.
Find out more about our scholarships
Equip them with life skills
Being prepared for university is about more than just deciding what to study. If you haven't already, encourage them to develop practical and personal skills to successfully manage their transition to university life.
These skills might include:
- cooking for themselves
- doing laundry
- budgeting and managing a fixed income
- asking for help when they need it
- developing learning skills and study habits
- learning how to prioritise their own health and wellbeing.
Support at university
Find out more about supporting your student once they've started university—what their study looks like, how you can help, and where to find support.