Information for Students

The New Zealand Institute of Sport is New Zealand’s elite sport, health and fitness school located in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. We are a member of the NZMA family, a Category One Provider, and form part of the largest vocational education group in New Zealand, UP Education. 

At the New Zealand Institute of Sport, we are committed to offering quality learning. We are ranked as a Category 1 provider on NZQA’s EER rating which is the best rating possible for providers. 

This means that we are on the highest tier of private tertiary educators and operate under a four-year NZQA External Evaluation and Review (EER) cycle. NZMA’s most recent EER was in 2022, where we retained our Category 1 status. 

Click here to read the full report.

NZMA’s 2024 Code of Practice Self-review document

NZIS offers a part-time study option in the Certificate in Personal Training (Level 4) that is fully online and flexible, meaning you can schedule your study around your life.

We offer blended learning through a combination of online learning, practical experience and face to face teaching on campus in the following course:

• Diploma in Sport, Recreation, & Performance Level 5 

Our onsite delivery enables our students to get the full attention and guidance of our Tutorial staff. 

We also offer the following programme through our online and flexible study platform, allowing you to take control of when and where you study with us:

• Health & Fitness Personal Trainer Level 4

We’ll contact you to arrange a time to meet with one of our course advisors to discuss your study options and take a tour of the campus. Once you’ve been accepted into a course, we’ll issue your official acceptance letter and you can then apply for a student loan and/or allowance through Studylink.

If you’re moving to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch from out of town to study with us, we can help you find accommodation. Our pastoral guidance and support personnel at all sites and can assist students with their accommodation needs, either through managed hostels, student flats or apartments. 

Flatting is usually the cheapest option. If you move into an already-established flat, you probably won’t have to put your name on the tenancy agreement. This makes it easier to move out when you want to. 

Here are some great websites to get you started: 

• www.flatfinder.co.nz

• www.trademe.co.nz

• www.nzflatmates.co.nz

Download our latest student handbook here.

Most of our classes have between 20 and 25 students. 

Our courses run from Monday to Friday and generally commence at 9.00am and finish at 4pm however, the timetable may differ between sites. The coaching sessions, fitness testing, event management and sports tours may be scheduled outside of your usual study hours. 

Talk to one of our friendly course advisors here for more details. 

Courses vary, for a list of domestic course costs, click here. For international costs, click here.

The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.

If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.

For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free, or to check your eligibility for Final Year Fees Free study under the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.

If you’re a New Zealand or Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident, then you can apply for a student loan and/or allowance. Your Course Advisor will be able to help guide you through the application process and answer any questions you might have. 

The New Zealand Institute of Sport operates under the strict NZQA student fee protection policy as required by the New Zealand Government. Student fees are protected in the unlikely event that the New Zealand Institute of Sport is unable to deliver a student’s tuition. 

Where student is eligible for a refund (including course cessation/course closure), New Zealand Institute of Sport will endeavour to refund fees to the party that paid them i.e. the Ministry of Social Development (Studylink) or Inland Revenue in the case of student loans, or directly to the Student, or to any other party nominated by the Student.

• Withdrawal within the refund period

  • All tuition fees will be refunded minus a deduction of 10% of the fees paid or $500.00 (whichever is the lesser amount) where withdrawal occurs within the refund period.

  • Refund Period starts when the fees are paid and ends 8 calendar days after and including the scheduled start date of the programme.

  • Programme Start Date refers to scheduled first day of the programme, or any other day that New Zealand Institute of Sport permits the student to begin attendance/study. The exception to this is distance learners, for whom the Start Date is the date of the student’s first login to the LMS.

• Withdrawal outside the refund period

  • Where a student wishes to withdraw their enrolment on a programme, they are to notify the campus in writing of their intention to withdraw.

  • Refund period expires on or after 9 calendar days of programme’s start date.

  • There is no refund entitlement where withdrawal occurs after the refund period has expired.

Consideration of refund outside of the refund period may be given where there are exceptional circumstances, and where an application for a refund is made by the student within 1 month of the last day attended.

• There will be no refund where a student has been expelled for breach of regulations as outlined in the published student handbook, has not filled out an accurate enrolment application and the contract terminated, or, excluding course cessation and/or closure events - wants to transfer to another provider.

Please click here for our terms and conditions.

Each year the New Zealand Institute of Sport (Part of NZMA)  provides a range of services to students to enhance campus life and student wellbeing.  These services are provided over and above the teaching and education delivery at each campus and are funded through the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The fee funds key services such as:

• Careers advice, guidance and employment information

• Counselling services

• Advocacy and Legal Advice

• Financial support and advice 

• Sport, Recreation and cultural services

• Health Services

The New Zealand Institute of Sport, as part of NZMA, has consulted with students on the Student Services Levy for 2024. The CSSF will remain at $400 per Equivalent Full Time Student.

As part of the Ministry of Education’s direction, we are required to report on how these fees are charged and spent which is available in the NZMA annual report. We must include students or their representatives when deciding on the following: 

• Maximum amount that students will pay 

• Types of services delivered 

• Procurement of these services 

• Method for authorising expenditure on these services.

To find out more contact your Campus Manager or you can read our latest CSSF Report here.

New Zealand Institute of Sport reserves the right to postpone or cancel courses due to insufficient demand, unavailability of suitable training staff or facilities or similar disruption. Students enrolled on the postponed or cancelled course, will be advised and offered alternative training dates or a full refund.

In the event that New Zealand Institute of Sport ceases to offer a course or closes, affected students may choose between continuing study with an alternative campus or provider (where available) or receiving a Pro Rata Refund of prepaid student fees, for the balance of the course based on the number of full weeks required to complete the course.

That’s induction week! You’ll get to meet your classmates, learn about the campus and have a whole lot of fun. We’ll also outline our rules and regulations, and you’ll sit some evaluations. This will help your tutors tailor their teaching style to best suit your needs. 

We offer a range of campus events and activities including Tasters days, sports day, kapa haka and other cultural days and activities during the induction period to engage and build relationships amongst the students.  

Whānau days are also held where you can invite friends and family to learn about student life on campus. 

NZQA has released a series of videos outlining what support people can expect for their wellbeing and safety while undertaking tertiary study. Watch the videos here.

Learner health, safety and wellbeing

New Zealand Institute of Sport (NZIS) is committed to ensuring that all learners/ākonga feel safe and supported while in our care.

NZIS believes that the health, safety and wellbeing of all members of its community is among its highest priorities as a part of our commitment to ensuring we provide positive education experiences to all learners.

NZIS is committed to the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing through continual improvement and the control of risk. All NZIS operational strategies developed put the learner firmly at the heart, and the following three goals guide NZIS operational strategies:

• Demonstrate excellent health, safety and wellbeing practices

• Demonstrate excellent pastoral care practices

• Enhance learner feedback capture and learner input into decision making

Learner Support

If you are experiencing any issues that you feel are hindering your learning experience, please contact your Campus Manager, Campus Administrator or Learner Success Lead for support.

Each NZIS Campus has a team available to make sure you succeed in your studies and achieve your goals. To meet or speak with a member of the campus team for support, please contact your closest NZIS Campus here.

Neurodiverse and Disabled Learner Support

If you're one of our students and you have an impairment or disability, medical condition, or injury that might affect your studies, we are actively looking at how we can support you.

We want everyone to be successful and reach their full potential, and we believe in creating a campus environment that's safe, inclusive, and free from any kind of discrimination.

So, what exactly does this mean for you?

Well, when you first enrol at NZIS, we’ll ask if there's any specific support you need or if there are any barriers you think you might encounter during your studies. This information is kept confidential, so you don't have to worry about anyone else finding out about it without your permission.

Your class tutor will meet with you individually in your first couple of weeks with us to better understand your learning needs, and with you put a plan in place to better support you through your learning journey. We also have Learner Success Leads, who support our tutors in developing effective learning strategies with you.

NZIS has developed the following three goals for the next three year (2024 – 2027) as part of its strategy in supporting our neurodiverse and disabled learners:

• Goal one - Disabled learners have a strengths-based learning experience that engages, nurtures, and respects them as individuals.

• Goal two - Grow staff capabilities and confidence to better support our disabled learners to achieve equitable outcomes.

• Goal three - Increase disabled learner voice at all stages of their learning journey – with sustainable mechanisms

NZIS has documented how it will achieve these goals along with measures of success in its Disability Action Plan 2024 – 2027.

Our Career and Employment navigators will help you with valuable job-hunting skills, like CV writing and interview techniques, help you find part-time work while you study and full-time work once you graduate. We partner with many of New Zealand’s leading employers – you’ll meet lots of them through our seminars, career days, work experience opportunities and industry functions. 

The School/College has a set procedure to resolve complaints. 

If the complaint is unable to be resolved satisfactorily within the School/College it can be taken to the Campus Principal/Manager.

Full details can be found in the student handbook. If it is still not resolved then the complaint can be taken to NZQA. If you have a financial or contractual dispute NZQA will refer you to the Student Dispute Resolution Scheme (DRS) Operator.

The NZQA website gives instructions on how to make a complaint about a provider/use the DRS, click here to go to the page.

You can also contact NZQA at risk@nzqa.govt.nz or 0800 697 296 for information on the process.

NZMA is part of Up Education and is ranked a Category 1 provider by NZQA – which is their highest rating.

The Executive Team and Board are responsible for the governance of the organisation. The Board meets monthly to:

• Discuss NZMA’s strategic direction

• Review financial performance

• Determine business objectives

• Select management to operationalise policies and objectives

The Senior Management Team (comprised of the Chief Executive and Directors) communicates daily, and takes care of the on-going operations of the business.