Polytechnics, Technical Schools, Colleges Polytechnics have traditionally specialised in vocational training, but
that role has expanded over the last decade to meet the needs of learners and
the economy. Many are involved in research activities, particularly in applied
and technological areas and other degrees.
Twenty-four institutions in New Zealand are part of the polytechnic and
institute of technology system and provide education and training in a wide
range of industry and occupation based vocational studies. Many of these
institutions offer academic and vocational degree programmes as well.
Specialised training for teachers is available at colleges of education, which
provide studies in early-childhood, primary and secondary education. Additional
university studies may be undertaken as part of these courses. All colleges
offer specialist courses for trained teachers.
Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology are state-funded tertiary
institutions who provide a wide range of education and training programmes
including full degree and some post-graduate courses. They operate on similar
lines to the TAFE education institutions in Australia.
There are 25 Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology throughout New Zealand
with a total of over 45,000 full-time students and a similar number of part-time
students. These institutions are located in all the main cities and in most
provincial cities.
Historically the Polytechnics have focussed on vocational
and practical education programmes preparing students for industry. Over the
past 10 years these institutions have expanded their programmes to become more
business and technology focussed and to offer a wide range of recognised degree
programmes approved by the New Zealand Government. All Polytechnics and
Institutes belong to The Association of Polytechnics in New Zealand.
Polytechnics and Institutes Degrees and Courses Courses are offered in a wide variety of disciplines and there can be
several different levels of entry for students who wish to study a particular
programme. For example a student may not have the academic or English level
required to directly enter a degree programme at the Polytechnic but they can
have the option of beginning with an introductory Certificate and/or Diploma
course which can qualify later a student for entry into the degree. This ability
to begin studies at different levels to study towards a degree is called 'staircasing'
and is generally not an option at traditional Universities. Entry criteria for
Polytechnic degrees is similar to Universities and students must meet the
academic and English (IELTS 6.0 or 6.5) requirements before being accepted into
the degree programme.
Polytechnic courses are wide ranging and can
include:
Administration Hospitality and Hotel Training
Agriculture Landscaping
Architecture Media and TV
Art and Design
Midwifery
Business
Motor Mechanics
Computing
Nursing
Construction
Restaurant Cooking
Electrical Engineering
Science
Engineering Sports
English Language (ESL)
Surveying
Fashion
Telecommunications
Forestry Technology
Horticulture
Travel and Tourism
Many Polytechnics and Institutes have provided training programmes for overseas
Governments and also have a close working association with industry and business
in New Zealand.
Polytechnics normally operate a two semester programme
similar to Universities beginning in February and ending in November with the
semester break in July. Some programmes allow students to begin in the second
semester.
Tuition Costs Degree tuition fees range from NZ$10,000 to NZ$16,000 per year
depending on the course of study. Certificate and Diploma programmes are a
little cheaper. ( http://www.studyingnewzealand.com/polytechnics-technical-schools-institutes/
)
There are 20 Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology in New Zealand. These
provide education and training at tertiary levels ranging from introductory
studies through to full degree programmes. Courses emphasise practical
experience and application to work situations.
Aoraki Polytechnic
Private Bag 902
Timaru
ph: +64-3-684-8240
fax:+64-3-684-0809 www.aoraki.ac.nz
Bay of Plenty Polytechnic
Private Bag 12001
Tauranga
ph: +64-7-544-0920
fax:+64-7-544-2386 www.boppoly.ac.nz
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
PO Box 540
Christchurch
ph: +64-3-940-8000
fax:+64-3-366-6544 www.cpit.ac.nz
Wellington Institute of Technology
Private Bag 39-803
Te Puni Mail Centre, Petone
ph: +64-4-920-2400
fax:+64-4-920-2401 www.weltec.ac.nz
Eastern Institute of Technology
Private Bag 1201 Taradale, Napier
Hawke’s Bay
ph: +64-6-974-8000
fax:+64-6-974-8918 www.eit.ac.nz
Manukau Institute of Technology
Private Bag 94-006 Manukau City
Auckland
ph: +64-9-968-8000
fax:+64-9-968-8701 www.manukau.ac.nz
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology
Private Bag 19
Nelson
ph: +64-3-546-2469
fax:+64-3-546-3326 www.nmit.ac.nz
Northland Polytechnic
Private Bag 9019
Whangarei
ph: +64-9-430-5830
fax:+64-9-430-5834 www.northland.ac.nz
Otago Polytechnic
Private Bag 1910
Dunedin
ph: +64-3-479-6029
fax:+64-3-477-9586 www.tekotago.ac.nz
Southern Institute of Technology
Private Bag 90-114
Invercargill
ph: +64-3-218-2599
fax:+64-3-214-4977 www.sit.ac.nz
Tai Poutini Polytechnic
Private Bag 607
Greymouth
ph: +64-3-768-0411
fax:+64-3-768-4503 www.taipoutini.ac.nz
Tairawhiti Polytechnic
PO Box 640
Gisborne
ph: +64-6-868-8068
fax:+64-6-868-6606 www.tairawhiti.ac.nz
Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki
Private Bag 2030
New Plymouth
ph: +64-6-757-3100
fax:+64-6-757-3235 www.taranaki.ac.nz
Waikato Institute of Technology
Private Bag 3036
Hamilton 2020
ph: +64-7-834-8877
fax:+64-7-838-8256 www.twp.ac.nz
UNITEC Institute of Technology
PO Box 92-025
Auckland
ph: +64-9-849-4180
fax:+64-9-815-2901 www.unitec.ac.nz
Waiariki Institute of Technology Rotorua
Private Bag RO 3028
Rotorua
ph: +64-7-346-8999
fax:+64-7-346-8768 www.waiariki.ac.nz
Universal College of Learning
Private Bag 11-022
Palmerston North
ph: +64-6-952-7000
fax:+64-6-952-7002 www.ucol.ac.nz
UCOL Wanganui
Private Bag 3020 Wanganui
ph: +64-6-345-0997
fax:+64-6-345-2263 www.wanganui.ac.nz
Whitireia Community Polytechnic
Wineera Drive, Private Bag 50-910
Porirua, Wellington
ph: +64-4-237-3100
fax:+64-4-237-3101 www.whitireia.ac.nz
