Apply to study

Before You Apply

Applications:
International Students for Semester A 2026 – Applications close on Friday, 17 October 2025.
Please contact office@eastwest.ac.nz for more information.

NZ Domestic Students – Please contact the office for application details.

Applicants should have:

A Christian testimony of faith in Jesus Christ
A membership of, and at least one year’s involvement in, a local church or assembly
The commendation of the local church
Evidence that they can undertake a course of intensive study and practical activity, i.e.:
- The successful completion of a course of secular study or training
- Satisfactory performance in regular employment
- Physical fitness
Willingness for cross-cultural mission service
Be at least 18 years of age in the year of commencement of study
Read our “Is Eastwest for You?” page
The following documents for all applicants, need to be included in your application: Copy of passport or birth certificate, Academic/qualification transcripts (if any).

For international students you need to include official results of the IELTS or equivalent test.

To Apply

		Application Procedures:	1) Please contact the office via the form below to indicate your interest in applying: - Once the office receives your expression of interest, a reply will be sent with the digital application form. (Alternatively, you can email the office direct) 2) Once you have received a response from the office with the digital application form, please take the time needed to fill out all the details. 3) After you have filled in the details, submit your application. Once received by the office a check will be done to make sure all the documents are in place including references. Once checked the application will be handed onto the admissions committee. 4) The admissions team will consider your application, and a final decision will be made by the Eastwest Staff team.
		Referees:	Please note, you need to ask three people to complete a referee form for you, please indicate those people on the application form. Note: We are working on digitalising the referee form but in the meantime, you will find 'referee form' in word and pdf formats below for downloading and then sending onto your referees. Your referees will find the instructions on these forms.
		Note: International Students	International students will need to read and sign the last page of the 'Pastoral Care for International Students Document'. This document is included in the application form.

Expression of Interest form:

Referee Form (DOC)

Referee Form (PDF)

Pastoral Care (Int Students)

Fees-free Study for NZ Students

Starting tertiary study or work-based learning for the first time?
You may be able to get Fees Free after you complete your first eligible qualification or programme.

Fees Free covers the cost of your fees for the final year of study or final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000.

When you enrol, you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a student loan.
Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink.

For more information on the eligibility requirements and when it is best to apply for Fees Free, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.

International Students

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to sit the IELTS (Academic) test. You will need an IELTS score of 5.5. (with no band below 5.0) in order to enrol in the Diploma in Intercultural Studies Level 5 and an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no band below 5.5) to enrol in the Diploma in Intercultural Studies Level 6. This is a NZQA requirement.

Accommodation

For pastoral care reasons and to support the best educational experience possible international students are required to live on campus in student accommodation.

International Student Visas

International students wishing to enrol at the college can apply for student visas. Please be in contact with the college while you do this.

The process can sometimes be quite slow (so allow plenty of time!). Student visas are only granted by the NZ Government after the fees for the duration of the visa have been paid to the college in full.

Details of visas, permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service website.

International Student Welfare

Eastwest College of Intercultural Studies is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021

Find out more about our intentional support of student wellbeing.

Eastwest College has a member of staff dedicated to supporting the practical and spiritual welfare of our international students.

Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand, so you will require medical insurance cover while you study with us.

What to bring

As you begin your studies and become part of the Eastwest College family, here are some details that you will find helpful.

Our purpose-built units are fully furnished with lounge, dining and bedroom furniture as well as plates and dishes, cutlery and usual kitchen utensils. For all international students, we also provide your bedding, pillows, towels and face cloths.

For your arrival at the college, as a residential student we ask you to bring the following items:

Your clothes and personal requirements, toiletries and any medicines
Having your own electronic device is essential for completing your assignments and classroom activities, although there is a small computer suite with internet access in the library for student use. Personal printing can be done in the library with a 'per sheet' charge.
Each student is required to do one half day’s practical work each week e.g. gardening, helping with the building programme, painting etc. You will need some old clothes to use during this time. If you don’t have room in your luggage to bring any with you, there are plenty of cheap or second-hand clothes shops in Hamilton, our nearest shopping centre (about 20 minutes drive away).

Unlimited internet access at reduced speeds (due to rural location of the College) is available through the college WiFi.

If you have any queries, or are not sure about whether additional items can be brought to the college, please do not hesitate to contact the college on office@eastwest.ac.nz.