Admission Regulations

For the purpose of these regulations a domestic student is defined according to the government Gazette notice which can be viewed https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-go5549

When not specified, ‘applicant’ applies to both domestic and international students.

Additional admission requirements apply to international students and can be found under International Student Regulations.

1. GENERAL ADMISSION CRITERIA

1.1

Carey Baptist College, “Carey”, admits students to its academic programmes without prejudice in matters regarding ethnicity/race, age, gender, physical or other disability. It is our belief that people are divinely created, with gifts that render all capable of service to God and humanity, and should be given the opportunity to study to their level of ability.

1.2

It is expected that applicants will demonstrate an appropriate level of maturity and Christian character development. While students are not required to hold a personal commitment to the Christian faith, to enrol in courses they should acknowledge the existence and validity of Christianity as a ruling philosophy for personal daily life and social conduct.

1.3

Admission requirements vary depending on the programme of study and are listed under specific programme regulations. Please refer to the specific programme regulations outlined later in these regulations.

1.4

As most tuition is given in English, all applicants need to be proficient in understanding, reading, writing and speaking English.

2. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

2.1 Academic and English Language Criteria
Prior to enrolling an international student in any programme, the student must be able to verify that they have the necessary English language proficiency. An international applicant must demonstrate that they have satisfied one of the following conditions:

2.1.1

achieved, within the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment, one of the internationally recognised proficiency test outcomes. IELTS is the preferred language proficiency measure used by Carey, specific IELTS levels for different programmes are outlined below

2.1.2

achieved National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 and has met New Zealand University Entrance requirements

2.1.3

received an undergraduate or higher qualification from either, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom, or the United States, OR been awarded the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)

2.1.4

completed at least five years secondary education at schools where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction

2.1.5

completed all primary education and at least three years secondary education at schools where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction

2.1.6

IELTS is the preferred English language proficiency test used at Carey. Once the IELTS test is completed the applicant must provide Carey with a copy of their test results prior to acceptance on a programme. The minimum required results are as follows:

For the Certificate/Diploma in Christian Studies, a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 (Academic), or its equivalent in accordance to NZQA Rules 13 Table 2 and/or other NZQA accepted evidence of English language proficiency.
For the Bachelor of Applied Theology: a minimum score of 6.0 in their International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test, with a score of 5.5 or higher in all bands; or its equivalent in accordance to NZQA Rules 13 Table 2 and/or other NZQA accepted evidence of English language proficiency.
For admission into Post Graduate programmes: a minimum score of 7.0 in their IELTS Academic Test, with a minimum score of 7.0 or higher in the writing band: or its equivalent in accordance to NZQA Rules 13 Table 2 and/or other NZQA accepted evidence of English language proficiency.

All costs associated with the IELTS Academic Test must be met by the student. For other equivalent English Language Proficiency scores please refer to https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/nzqarules/nzqf-related-rules/the-table/

2.2 Academic and English Language Criteria
The New Zealand Government requires that an international applicant must obtain a student visa through the nearest New Zealand embassy or consulate or through an Immigration New Zealand (INZ) office in New Zealand before they can be enrolled to study at Carey. For more information regarding visas see www.immigration.govt.nz.

2.2.1

All international applicants are required to hold and provide evidence of a current student visa, visa approval notification, or in the case of a pathway student visa, their letter from Immigration New Zealand. The above must be presented to the Academic Registrar to complete the enrolment process. To fulfil visa requirements an international applicant may not undertake less than 60 credits in any semester, unless they are completing a programme and are in their final semester of study.

2.2.2

If an international applicant wishes to study part-time and holds a work visa they must first obtain a “Variation of Condition” through an INZ office in New Zealand. This must then be presented to the Academic Registrar to complete the enrolment process.

2.3 Medical Insurance

2.3.1

Carey also requires that all international applicants have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance that complies with The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 for the duration of their studies in New Zealand. A copy of the compliant insurance policy must be presented to the Academic Registrar to complete the enrolment process.

2.4 Accommodation

2.4.1

International applicants must make arrangements for their own accommodation.

2.4.2

In accordance with The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2021 international students under the age of 18 years must live full-time with either a relative, an approved caregiver, or in an approved home-stay; evidence of this must be presented to the Academic Registrar

2.5 Additional Requirements
International applications are accepted on the basis that enrolment at Carey will be of genuine benefit to the applicant in their Christian ministry or mission; applicants may be declined if their reason for studying at Carey is based on political, economic, or other personal needs. Therefore, the following information must accompany their completed application.

2.5.1

Church Membership
A written statement regarding the applicant’s Church membership. This statement should include information about any group or denomination that the Church belongs to and a copy of the Church’s Statement of Faith.