Important Information

Student Insurance

Eligibility for health services

Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website

Medical and travel insurance is compulsory for all international students studying in New Zealand. Evidence of an insurance appropriate insurance policy (in English) should be supplied to Amesbury School as part of the application process. Insurance policies should cover all of the following:

  • The student’s travel to and from New Zealand, and within New Zealand
  • Medical care in New Zealand, including diagnosis, prescription, surgery and hospitalisation
  • Repatriation or expatriation of the student as a result of serious injury or illness, including cover of travel costs incurred by family members of assisting.
  • Death of the student, including cover of travel costs for family members to and from New Zealand, costs of repatriation/expatriation of the body, funeral expenses.

We also recommend insurance for the parent accompanying the student. Amesbury School can organise insurance on your behalf.

Accident insurance

The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website.

Visa Requirements

A student visa is required for international students coming to New Zealand to study for more than three months. Accompanying parents will also require the appropriate visa and permit. For full information on visas for study, please click here or visit the Student Visa Guide and Student Visa Application.

Full details of immigration requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available from Immigration New Zealand, and can be viewed on their website at www.immigration.govt.nz.

Withdrawing from Amesbury School

Students may withdraw from Amesbury School at any time prior to their end of their chosen enrolment date, by giving one term's notice in writing to the Principal. Full information about withdrawal, termination and refunds can be found in the International Student Application Form & Tuition Agreement.

Refunds & Fees Protection

The fees paid for international students’ tuition are used to employ teachers and provide resources and facilities for these students. It is therefore not possible to fully refund fees. Under the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016, international fee paying students may be eligible for a refund or partial refund of fees that have been paid under some circumstances.

Once a student has commenced study at Amesbury School, refunds will only be made in exceptional circumstances and according to the school refund procedures outlined in the Amesbury School International Student Fees Refund Policy here. All applications for a refund must be in writing to the Principal, for approval by the Board of Trustees.

Fees Protection

Amesbury School has a scheme in place to ensure that fees are protected and will be able to be refunded if the school is unable to provide tuition. You can read Amesbury School's International Student Fees Protection Policy here.

Amesbury School has a robust dispute resolution scheme to work through any concerns, issues or problems that may arise with the International Student Programme. In cases where the dispute cannot be resolved internally, international students and their parents will be able to access the Dispute Resolution Scheme, specifically for international students. For more information on the Amesbury School International Student Dispute Resolution Procedure, click here. For further details on the NZQA Dispute Resolution Scheme, click here.

Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016

The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 regulates the education of international students in New Zealand. You can find a copy of the code in languages other than English here.