Fees-free tertiary study in 2023

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is one of the New Zealand tertiary institutions to offer free tuition for eligible tertiary learners in 2023.

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Are you eligible for fees-free study?

If you are a domestic student and a first time tertiary learner, you may be able to get up to $12,000 of your fees covered for one year’s study. If you are eligible, we’ll organise payment of your first year of fees with the Tertiary Education Commission.

If you believe you are eligible for free fees during 2023, review the information below and the Tertiary Education Commission's FAQs.

If you were eligible for fees-free study in 2022 and have questions regarding your eligibility ‘carry-over’ for 2023, email freefees@vuw.ac.nz.

Confirm your eligibility

It is important to confirm your eligibility on the Tertiary Education Commission’s fees-free website using your National Student Number (NSN). This website also contains instructions to follow if you do not know your NSN or if more information is required to determine your eligibility.

Complete your 2023 enrolment

Once you have confirmed your eligibility, make sure you have completed all the required steps for enrolling to study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in 2023.

If you are asked to complete a statutory declaration, you will need to complete and return it to the Tertiary Education Commission.

Next steps

If you have confirmed your eligibility and completed your enrolment, you will receive an email from Victoria University of Wellington’s Student Finance team confirming that our enrolment system will reflect that you are eligible for fees-free study.

For students commencing study in 2023, our Student Finance team will contact confirmed fees-free eligible, enrolled students in February 2023.

Fees-free study includes

  • tuition
  • associated mandatory fees
  • compulsory student service fees.

Fees-free study does not include

  • text books
  • club memberships
  • course materials
  • late fees.

Student Loan or Allowance for other fees

If you want to apply for a Student Allowance or the two non-fees parts of a Student Loan—living costs and course-related costs, you will still need to apply to StudyLink.

For 2023 study, Studylink encourages prospective students to apply for their loan before 16 December. It is also important to provide supporting documents to Studylink promptly (you can apply online). This will ensure that applications can be assessed in time for the start of the 2023 academic year.

Already received a scholarship

If you have already received a scholarship the money can be put towards accommodation and living costs. If you have any queries about your scholarship, contact the University’s Scholarship Office. If you wish to enquire about accommodation in Wellington, contact our Accommodation services.

Need help

If you have further questions, or would like to speak to the University team about study, you can contact us at 0800 04 04 04, email us at freefees@vuw.ac.nz, or go to booking a course planning session.