Study abroad in New Zealand with IFSA
Wellington
, New Zealand

Victoria University of Wellington Partnership

Program Overview

Nestled in the hills of this artsy, compact capital city, Victoria University has a vibrant campus with an AACSB-accredited business program and excellent ratings for intensity of high-quality research. Its award-winning Wellington International Leadership Program combines leadership, cross-cultural communication, global connectedness, and sustainability.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Fall: April 15
Spring: Oct. 1

Minimum GPA

2.70

Credit load

15

Housing

Apartment/Flat

Instruction language

English

Prerequisites

None

gallery-imagegallery-image

Academics

Looking for specific classes? Explore CHART, our exclusive class database — if the Victoria University of Wellington Program is pre-approved at your institution, you’ll find classes recently taken by other IFSA students.

Open the Victoria University of Wellington online course catalog to see the classes available.

Students take 3 or 4 classes each semester, depending on the credits awarded. A full load of courses at Victoria is 60 Victoria points. Credit conversions are as follows:
15 Victoria Points = 4 U.S. semester credit hours
20 Victoria Points = 5 U.S. semester credit hours

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.

  • Study abroad students are not permitted to take practical education courses.
  • You can only take yearlong courses if you plan to study abroad for the calendar year (semesters 1 and 2, in that order).
  • Victoria University of Wellington has course restrictions in certain faculties and disciplines. Click here to view the list of restrictions.

Participate in the Wellington International Leadership Program, an academically-oriented extracurricular program focused on themes of international leadership, cross-cultural communication, global connectedness and sustainability—the first program of its kind in New Zealand.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
  • You must have completed at least one (1) year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.

Recommendation Letter
An academic letter of recommendation and GPA statement are required for GPAs under 2.8.

Visa Requirement
This program requires a visa for all students.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects courses taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program. We’ll make every effort to run them all, but sometimes things we can’t control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

Activities

  • Learning Plan Check-in: Three times during the semester, catch up for a one-on-one with an IFSA team member to discuss your academic progress, housing, and general well-being. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions about roommates, lecturers, and new experiences.
  • Catch-up Meal: Share a meal (brunch, lunch, or dinner) and any questions about your new life in New Zealand during this gathering. It’s a great chance to chill out, connect with new friends, and generate excitement as you embark on your academic journey at your host institution
  • Weekly Catch-up: Meet your IFSA Student Experience Coordinator on campus or at a local hiking trail, farmers market, museum, or pub quiz night for a snack and take a bit of time out with your IFSA community.
  • Resume-Building Workshop: Study abroad in New Zealand is a great addition to your resume. Learn how to highlight all the transferable skills gained in a powerful and succinct way that will appeal to prospective employers.
  • Celebration Dinner: The farewell dinner is the last official get-together with the IFSA crew. It’s time to recount great experiences and reflect on personal and academic growth before preparing for final exams! It’s a fun and memorable send-off, with an awesome culinary experience and plenty of laughs.

Excursions

  • A Taste of NZ Cooking Class: Head to a local cooking school to learn how to make some amazing Kiwi kai! New Zealand cuisine is largely driven by local ingredients and seasonal variations. An island nation with a primarily agricultural economy, New Zealand yields produce from land and sea and draws influence from Māori, Polynesian, and Asian cultures. Not only learn about New Zealand cuisine, but whip up and enjoy a classic Kiwi feast including dessert.
  • Wellington NZEW: Check out what the beautiful South Island has to offer! Take the ferry through the stunning Marlborough Sounds to a wonderful small town called Picton. Fill your Saturday with a kayaking adventure to explore various bays and finish the day with a delicious dinner looking out over the harbor. On Sunday, take a water taxi, enjoy a hike, and spending the afternoon relaxing in a beautiful bay while paddleboarding, swimming, and feeding sting rays—so make sure you bring your togs (swimsuit)! Learn all about the conservation efforts Lochmara Lodge is working on to encourage native wildlife to flourish in the Marlborough Sounds.
  • Wellington Volunteer Kaitiakitanga (guardianship of environmental resources): Head out to Otari-Wilton Bush for a day of conservation, planting, and native animal and bird spotting. A yummy BBQ lunch will be provided. Then take a walk along the famous Wellington Skyline track for some incredible views of the city! This activity give you the opportunity to give back to the New Zealand environment by protecting its native species and plant life.
  • Explore Kapiti Day Trip: Escape the city by train to the seaside town of Paikakariki. From there, bike more than 15km through the Kapiti region spotting native birds and trees along the coast, through the famous Queen Elizabeth Park, and a stop at a U.S. Marine Memorial. Then head up to Whareroa Farm for a picnic lunch. Continue the adventure at the famous Tuatara Brewery for an educational tour. This is an awesome opportunity to explore the wider Wellington region!

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

Students stay in self-catered co-ed apartments with 4-6 residents and a shared bathroom.

Dates and Fees

Term

Term begins

Term ends

Program costs

Application deadline

Spring 2024

February 15, 2024

June 23, 2024

$21,475

Passed

Fall 2024

Early July 2024

Early Nov. 2024

$21,475 (estimated)

April 15

Term

Spring 2024

Term begins

February 15, 2024

Term ends

June 23, 2024

Program costs

$21,475

Application deadline

Passed

Term

Fall 2024

Term begins

Early July 2024

Term ends

Early Nov. 2024

Program costs

$21,475 (estimated)

Application deadline

April 15

Get Started

Brittany Brooks

Brittany Brooks

Admissions Counselor

Brittany Brooks

Brittany Brooks

Prearrival Counselor

IFSA Student Stories