Most people know New Zealand as a great rugby nation or the place where Lord of the Rings was filmed. But it鈥檚 also home to some great academic institutions, which offer a unique and exciting kind of student life. One of these is the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), which was founded in 1971. It鈥檚 a polytechnic university not far from some of New Zealand鈥檚 most-loved places (especially when the rural Telford campus is a part of the conversation, as well as the main campus in Invercargill, South Island).
SIT offers over 200 courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study, including several graduate diplomas and certificates. Its many practical and research-based subjects are taught by excellent tutors and lecturers. SIT aims to prepare its students for successful careers, and the facilities, schools, and technology it uses are all essential to that process.
There are just over 2,000 international students at SIT currently, and all of them are part of great student communities. All of SIT鈥檚 campuses and accommodation options have everything students will need, domestic or international. Plus, housing for international students is cheap, and there are financial support options available for students who need help (even if the need appears unexpectedly).
Studying abroad and getting used to living in a new country can be difficult for international students but SIT makes it as easy as it can be. It offers lots of great scholarships in partnership with the New Zealand government and runs lots of extracurriculars to help make settling in simple. The beautiful New Zealand landscape definitely helps, but there are also dedicated support services and English language programmes to help students who don鈥檛 speak it as a first language improve their skills.
Learn more about studying at SIT:
The teaching quality at SIT is famous around New Zealand and across the rest of the world. Lecturers and tutors deliver quality teaching and skills training, and the university鈥檚 education mission is about both delivering academic knowledge and equipping students with important skills that will give them good career prospects.
SIT offers over 200 programmes and courses across a range of disciplines. Applicants can study at undergraduate, postgraduate and non-degree levels. Whether they are interested in architectural technology, engineering, or hospitality, they can learn about their chosen field from some of the best minds in New Zealand at SIT.
Teaching draws on knowledge and experience. Faculty members work hard to make sure that students are always able to get the most out of their studies. There are all kinds of seminars, events and research projects happening across the academic year so that student working/learning lives can be as fun and practical as possible.
The high-quality teaching at SIT has allowed many of its students to win awards for their supported efforts. For example, SIT engineering student Laura Greenaway won first place in a national prize, the NZDE (New Zealand Diploma in Engineering) National Award, in August 2022.
The university itself is also award-winning, and so are the faculty members. The School of Nursing recently received five-year accreditation, and a focused on microplastics won the Environment Southland 2021 Environment Action in Education Award.
There are general university requirements for entry into SIT. These depend on the country from which the student is applying. Domestic students must get certain grades and levels of education to get into university in New Zealand, and international students can apply with equivalent qualifications from their home country.
For example, to study a bachelor鈥檚 programme, a student from Japan must have completed one year of tertiary education in a recognised tertiary institution, while an applicant for a bachelor鈥檚 programme from the UK must have successfully completed 12 years of secondary school, including Year 13.
Each course programme will provide more information about what the specific entry requirements for that course are. An example of a course-specific requirement would be for the programme. Any international applicant to that course must have previous relevant university qualifications.
This will mean either a bachelor鈥檚 in IT or a related subject, a graduate diploma in IT or a related subject or a postgraduate certificate/diploma in IT or a related subject. Plus, they must have scored a minimum grade of B in any of those to gain admission. Students are advised to make sure they know the university entry requirements for their specific course before submitting their admission application.
English is the language of teaching at SIT. International students will need to prove their level of English ability and understanding before getting onto the course they鈥檝e applied for. Each of the courses will have different English language requirements, and they may change depending on the level the student is studying at.
There is a range of accepted English proficiency testing methods at SIT, and they all come with their own minimum scores, including the Pearson Test of English (PTE), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
To give an example, applicants for a bachelor鈥檚 degree in engineering technology will need to get a minimum overall IELTS band score of 6, with no individual band scores below 5.5. This is a commonly requested score, in fact. The graduate diploma in Music at the MAINZ Auckland campus also asks for an overall IELTS band score of at least 6, with no individual band scores below 5.5. Postgraduate applicants usually need an overall band score of 6.5, with no individual band scores below 6.
International students who don鈥檛 speak English as a first language are also invited to enrol in one of the intensive English language programmes that SIT offers if they don鈥檛 meet the minimum English score required. These courses are run at the Southern Lakes English College, and the skills learned are the same skills tested by the IELTS: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Students also have the option to at either the Queenstown or Invercargill campuses. They can gain English language ability at the advanced, intermediate, pre-intermediate, or upper-intermediate levels.
All international applicants must follow the same admission process at SIT. It鈥檚 quick and easy, and the university does its best to make sure that students are supported throughout the process. There are nine easy steps between finding SIT and achieving full student admission:
All international students must get a student visa before arriving in the country to study. They can do this via the New Zealand Government鈥檚 immigration website. Admission can seem complicated, so students should be aware that they can contact SIT for help and advice at any time during their university admission journey.
SIT wants to welcome as many great applicants from around the world as it can. It鈥檚 proud of its international outreach and wants to continue to make student life easy and fun for international students. So, it offers several great scholarships and bursaries to overseas applicants and current students that help cover the costs of getting an education abroad in beautiful New Zealand.
SIT is one of only 11 universities offering Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Zealand Scholarships for International Students. Eligible students should be from developing countries, studying subjects relevant to their home country鈥檚 needs. Depending on their country, students may apply at certificate, undergraduate and postgraduate levels to get full coverage of tuition fees, funding for living costs and:
American students can benefit from the Generation Study Abroad Excellence Travel Awards. The USA is a partner country in the Generation Study Abroad initiative, which awards students USD 2,000 to help fund their flight to New Zealand. There are also the GSA New Zealand Excellence Awards for institutes of technology and polytechnics (like SIT). These awards provide USD 500 to US students studying for a semester abroad at SIT.
Tuition fees change depending on the level the applicant is studying at. For example, the total 18-month cost for a master鈥檚 student is NZD 27,200, while the total academic year cost for a bachelor鈥檚 student is NZD 19,600, and the total academic year cost for a diploma student is NZD 16,500.
SIT works with the New Zealand Government, other governments, educational institutions, and other organisations to provide university scholarships and funding opportunities to postgraduate students. Also, students in need of sudden financial help can usually access bursaries and financial aid options if they reach out to the student support team at SIT and explain their circumstances.
SIT鈥檚 main campus is in Invercargill, but it also has Telford, Christchurch, Queenstown and Gore campuses and a dedicated site for the Music & Audio Institute of New Zealand (MAINZ). SIT also manages a well-respected and well-designed SIT2LRN online distance learning programme.
Each SIT campus is responsible for different faculties and subjects, and there are also several research centres and institutes contained in each faculty/housed on each campus. For example, the Invercargill campus has the SIT Sound facility, where all music and audio courses are taught in a specialist space. The subjects at each campus are organised like this:
SIT also has some popular and famous research initiatives dedicated to improving research standards and providing excellent resources for students. These initiatives include the and the SIT Journal of Applied Science.
The main Invercargill campus is where most of the student life centres and support services are based at SIT, but the other campuses also have lots of options for study and extracurricular fun. There are great accommodation options available close to all the campuses, too.
Every SIT lecture theatre and learning space is modern and well-designed to give students room without isolating them from their tutors. The SIT library is a popular student activity centre for studying, with places for learning and relaxing, access to over 25,000 books and almost a million electronic books, databases, magazines, and DVDs.
is a great resource for any student in the SIT2LRN Online study programme. Published every three months, it features profiles, stories and graduate experiences, along with educational support. SIT also offers brilliant services for international students, including help with everything from accommodation to visa and insurance advice.
Every campus has student communities and student recreation centres for those who want to stay active and try some exciting extracurriculars. SIT鈥檚 Christchurch campus, for example, organises regular social events as well as community-based games and challenges.
SITS鈥檚 academic and non-academic facilities are amazing, and they鈥檙e all designed to give students the best possible quality of life, with room for health and socialising 麻豆原创 studying and learning. Each SIT site also has lots of food and drink options on and around the campus to feed and hydrate hungry and thirsty students, from natural produce in rural Telford to fine dining in Christchurch.
The best accommodation options are at the Invercargill campus. Students can choose between SIT apartments, Homestay options and SIT flats, all close to the campus. The costs vary depending on the type of student accommodation chosen.
In SIT apartments, students can choose a single or double room. This university accommodation type comes with a shared living room, kitchen, and bathroom, as well as shared laundry spaces. Students cook for themselves, but kitchen utensils are provided to make life a little bit easier. A double room with a roommate costs NZD 120 weekly, while a single private room costs NZD 205 weekly.
The Homestay programme allows international students to live in the house of a New Zealander host. Students can improve their English and learn lots about the native culture like this. They will have their own private room and access to the family鈥檚 shared bathroom facilities. The average cost of a Homestay is NZD 250 weekly.
SIT flats, within five minutes of the Invercargill facilities, are self-catered halls with kitchen facilities and shared bathrooms. There are three student houses with up to nine bedrooms per house and a maximum capacity of 17 people, and the average cost is NZD 120 weekly.
There are also private accommodation options offered in Invercargill, including the Apartment Hotel, Karen Court, Dan Davin Village and Kelvin House. These are great options for students who want to separate their studies from their home lives but still be conveniently located near campus. Prices range from NZD 85 to NZD 200 weekly.
SIT understands that to get the most out of their studies, students need to be healthy, physically, and mentally. It also wants its students from all over the world to know that it鈥檚 here to support them through difficult times. So, the university has many student support services available to all, including international students.
Health and wellbeing student services offered by the university are free, friendly, and completely private. Each student is given an individual student guide who can offer them counselling sessions. There are also options for students struggling with faith-related issues via the university chaplaincy. Students can also get help with any physical problems that require a health nurse or any disability/accessibility issues that need attention.
SIT also offers lots of academic student support programmes to help with study skills, career planning and employability, including the , which provides candidates with work opportunities for free, as well as free training resources for one year.
Overall, student services at SIT are given freely to students when they have any concerns or worries, so no student ever must feel ignored or unheard. This is an institution that takes student wellness very seriously, and it works hard to keep every student happy, healthy, and focused on their studies.
SIT has been preparing students to make an impact in the world of work since the university was launched in 1971. SIT knows that employers need knowledge and practical experience, so it works hard to give students both. And as the international alumni network grows, SIT hopes to get more students into full-time employment in their chosen field each new academic year.
The quality of education across all SIT subjects is just one part of what impresses employers, but it鈥檚 a big and valuable part. For example, in 2021, the SIT School of Nursing achieved a 100 per cent pass rate for all its students. Many of those students are already succeeding in nursing departments and hospitals, both nationally and internationally.
The student employment services available at the university are fantastic. They鈥檙e available to all domestic and , covering everything from analysing career options and creating a plan for a student鈥檚 professional future to job interview techniques and CV writing skills. Thanks to the many career services at SIT, students can always access a career guide and get some expert advice.
In terms of boosting employability, SIT helps connect students to a range of volunteering and work placement programmes. It also runs regular employability workshops (some specifically for international students who want to start their careers in New Zealand). This is a young university already making its voice heard globally, and it鈥檚 one of the best possible choices for a diverse, exciting education experience.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Hotcourses Diversity Index (What is this?)
45 International student nationalities at this university
NZ$11,960
NZ$15,600
UNDERGRADUATE
NZ$25,014
POSTGRADUATE
NZ$24,368
VOCATIONAL
NZ$20,906
Overall experience
100% of reviewers recommend Southern Institute of Technology
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Study experience
Life experience
Job prospects
If you are studying right now or you have completed your studies, then help future students by sharing your experiences.
Anonymous, New Zealand
5
SIT - A Great Study Experience
The whole organization is very professional from the time of enrolling to completion of the courses. I have had a great experience and the quality of the courses are high. The lecturers and facilitators are well-educated and have high standards. At the end of any course of study a student wants to feel read full review
The whole organization is very professional from the time of enrolling to completion of the courses. I have had a great experience and the quality of the courses are high. The lecturers and facilitators are well-educated and have high standards. At the end of any course of study a student wants to feel fulfilled, stretched, a better person, and capable of going into the workplace to be challenged and to contribute. SIT has been a very good experience and the SIT2LEARN process is a robust method of learning. show less
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