Student life and campus facilities

Tutor talking with students in library

What to do as a student in Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and is a welcoming place, home to many diverse international communities. About 40% of the population born overseas (World Migration report 2015). It is a laid-back city, close to the sea, with lots of places to go and activities to enjoy. Throughout the year, you can enjoy cultural festivals, hiking and other outdoor activities in Auckland and further afield. Students are a welcomed part of the community here, so it won’t take long before it feels like home.

There are also plenty of things to do closer to campus, which is in the heart of the city. On our campus, you will find modern facilities and great spaces to study, so you can relax and socialise with your friends. Close to the campus are plenty of restaurants, shops, coffee shops and cafés, galleries, museums and live music venues that you can visit.

Auckland is home to several universities, so there are many students living in and around the city. You will easily make new friends from all around the world and enjoy your time in New Zealand.

  • Experience Māori culture in the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
  • Visit Waiheke Island on a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland.
  • Swim, surf or relax on one of Auckland’s 28 local beaches.
  • Enjoy festivals and concerts, including the Auckland City Limits Festival and Mission Bay jazz festival.
  • Take in the views across the city up the Sky Tower - then you can bungy jump back down.
  • Climb the harbour bridge.

Adventure lifestyle

Auckland has 28 local beaches for swimming, surfing or just relaxing. If you are into watersports, you can take a kayak out from the harbour or visit the west coast beaches to catch the surf. Thrillseekers can even try bungy jumping and ziplining at various places nearby.

Natural wonders

Living in Auckland you really do get the perfect balance between city life and outdoor adventures. If you love being in nature, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park is just a 40-minute drive west of the city where you can find hiking trails, waterfalls, black sand beaches, surfing spots and rainforest canopies.

Tranquil islands

Island hopping in the Hauraki Gulf is easy from Auckland where you can discover the volcanic island of Rangitoto, zipline in the treetops on Waiheke Island, or relax on one of the Gulf’s many beaches. Tiritiri Matangi Island is an open wildlife sanctuary where you can enjoy spotting exotic birds from the hiking paths.

Cost of living

Auckland is slightly less expensive to live in than the country’s capital city, Wellington. This makes it a great place to live to experience city living in New Zealand, but without the highest costs. As a student, you will be able to access student discounts across the city, making the cost of living more affordable.

Career opportunities

When you choose to study at Taylors College Auckland, you are given a head start in your career. You will complete CareerQuest, created by the New Zealand government, to help you identify university courses and potential careers to consider. The resources provided by Taylors College and online will support you with information and degree research opportunities as you make your degree choices.

While you study at Taylors College Auckland, you are supported by a career development programme. The career development programme prepares you for your career by helping you develop skills that make you a highly employable graduate and confident individual. Career support continues at the University of Auckland with the on-campus careers service.

Settling in to student life

As a new student, you will join a comprehensive orientation programme. You’ll be given The Student Handbook, which includes essential information about living and studying in New Zealand and at Taylors College Auckland. Orientation is also a great opportunity to meet your teachers, make friends and find your way around the campus.

On-campus support

Services and facilities include:

Student Welfare Team

Get help with welfare issues, accommodation, pastoral care and counselling from experienced staff.

Student activity programme

Taylors College Auckland provides a programme of social and cultural activities to help you make friends, adapt to life in Auckland and make the most of your time in New Zealand.

University counselling

The Academic Director at Taylors College Auckland can advise on suitable degree programmes that meet your career aims, and also help arrange campus visits and information sessions.

24-hour emergency contact

For help in an emergency, staff at Taylors College Auckland are on call 24 hours a day.

Insurance claim service

Taylors College staff, together with the University of Auckland team, can help you with your insurance claims if you purchased your insurance through the College.

Study guides

You will be provided with a series of booklets to help guide you through your course. For each subject, the booklet provides details of your study programme, assessment tasks, additional course materials and learning support options.

Tutorials

You can attend free tutorials to receive additional support from your teachers. Tutorials are delivered one-to-one or in small groups. They are timetabled fortnightly for each subject.

Mentor groups

During your time at Taylors College Auckland, you will be assigned a mentor teacher and mentor group. You will meet your mentor group and teacher once a fortnight to chat about academic and personal issues and New Zealand culture. Your mentor teacher will also be your point of contact for any issues you may have throughout your time at Taylors College Auckland.

Assessment

You will be assessed through exams and/or coursework, depending on your chosen subjects. Your teachers will help you to prepare for your exams and coursework assignments, and provide feedback on your results. Most subjects have a mid-term and final exam.

Attendance monitoring

Good attendance is essential for success in your studies. Attendance is recorded for every lesson, so your presence in class is strictly monitored.

All students under the age of 18 receive additional support and guidance from a member of the welfare staff at Taylors College Auckland. They will act as your personal caregiver and will provide a range of services to you and your parents.

Services include:

  • help with settling in
  • telephone conversations with parents
  • visits to the homestay as appropriate to check that all is well
  • wellbeing and homestay experience interview (held quarterly on campus)
  • academic progress and attendance monitoring
  • 24-hour service in case of emergency
  • frequent communication with homestay hosts.

Taylors College also offers an additional optional service for under 18 students, Taylors Extra Care Service.

Taylors Extra Care means that parents can feel comfortable that there is someone monitoring their child’s general welfare after hours, and outside the school. Taylors Extra Care means that Taylors College will arrange a staff member from the Student Welfare Team to take special care for your child if they are under 18 years of age when they arrive in New Zealand. These Care Givers will:

  • provide you with a written pastoral care report after arrival, about how your child has settled in the homestay and at school
  • support your child with any personal matters, and assist with his/her settlement into New Zealand and the school
  • assist your child with establishing bank accounts, and managing finances
  • continue to provide written report quarterly about your child’s general wellbeing and academic progress
  • advise you and the school of any problems between the student and the homestay, and attempt to rectify these problems
  • regularly interview your child and immediately advise you of any concerns
  • provide academic reports and discuss academic progress with you and your child
  • provide emergency telephone contact and support for your child after school hours
  • immediately report to you any concerns regarding your child’s health and after hours activities etc.

Top 3 City

For Quality of Life

(Mercer Quality of Living Index 2019)

Thames from Thailand

"The teachers at Taylors College are really helpful. If you don’t understand anything, you can always ask them, and they’re always there to help. The classes here are smaller, so it’s easier for the teachers to spend time with every student."

Thames from Thailand
Studied the Auckland Foundation Year (now replaced by the Foundation Studies Certificate)

Programmes

Student working on laptop in library

Begin your study experience in New Zealand at Taylors College Auckland. Choose from our study programmes and prepare for your degree at the University of Auckland.

How to apply

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Ready to join us in Auckland? Learn more about the application process to join us at Taylors College and begin your academic adventure with us.