33. Enrolment at Massey University requires completion of admission to the University, admission to a specific qualification, and enrolment in a programme.
34. Every applicant must complete enrolment requirements which include submission of an Admission Application, written acceptance of any Offer of Place in a qualification (unless waived in writing by the University), submission of an Enrolment Application and acceptance of any Offer of Enrolment. Applicants returning to enrol in the same qualification are required to submit an Enrolment Application and accept an Offer of Enrolment each academic year.
35. Applicants who wish to study full-time should apply to enrol for 105 or 120 credits of study in an academic year.
36. Massey University has an on-line system for admission and enrolment. A paper-based enrolment system will be used which comprises the same steps as the on-line system when the on-line system is inoperative for any reason or in other special circumstances as permitted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Students and Global Engagement (University Registrar).
Due Date for Admission and Enrolment Applications
37. Generally, all applicants are expected to submit their applications so that they are received by the University on or before the due date. For most students the due dates for 2025 are as listed below:
Due date for admission applications
See the Admission application due dates page
Due date for enrolment into courses
See the Course enrolment due dates page
38. Some qualifications require applicants to apply in advance of the standard due dates for selection and some courses do not follow standard semester dates. The relevant enrolment dates for these qualifications and/or courses are available from enrolment material on the University website under Key Dates, or by contacting the University.
39. Doctoral candidates need to submit Admission Applications to study a doctoral programme, accept any Offer of Place in a doctoral programme, submit their Enrolment Applications and accept any Offer of Enrolment, within three weeks of the commencement date specified by the Doctoral Research Committee. Candidates will need to enrol for each successive year by submitting their Enrolment Applications, accepting any Offer of Enrolment and receive a Confirmation of Enrolment. Details of fees will be available each year before enrolment is completed.
Final Dates
40. Addition or Substitution of Course(s):
(a) Enrolled students may, at the University’s discretion, be permitted to add or substitute courses. If students also wish to apply for admission to a graduate or postgraduate level qualification they must apply by the dates given in Enrolment Regulation 37 or, for Doctoral students, by the dates outlined on the programme webpage;
(b) Except where stated otherwise in course or programme material, any applications for adding or substituting courses must be received by the University no later than the first Friday of the semester;
See Semester dates
(c) For information about withdrawal from courses see Enrolment Regulations 60-68.
Note: Some courses do not follow standard semester dates and students seeking to add courses should refer to programme material, the University website or contact the University for due dates.
Limitation of Student Numbers
41. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (or delegate) may limit the number of students enrolled in any programme each year because of insufficiency of staff, accommodation or equipment, or other reasons that may arise. Accordingly, where the number of applicants for the programme exceeds the number of places available, then the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or delegate) will select from the applicants those students who may be enrolled in the programme each year.
Late Enrolment
42. Applications for enrolment received after the final date are deemed to be Late Enrolments. Students may only apply via Special Permission with supporting documentation. The University may, at its discretion, consider approving a late enrolment.
43. Late Enrolment applications will usually be considered when they are received no later than two weeks after the final date of course enrolment, but may not be approved.
Completion of Enrolment
44. After acceptance of the admission Offer of Place in a qualification, students are required to select courses for their programme(s) by submitting an Enrolment Application. Even when that selection is made the University may require the student to select a different course or courses in place of a course or courses for which they have not met the pre-requisites and\or other requirements. If such a course(s) is compulsory for their programme they will still be required to enrol at a later date, once they have met the pre-requisites and/or other requirements.
45. The University assesses the Enrolment Application in relation to its regulations, capacity to provide tuition and its other requirements. The University may approve only those parts of the application that can be assessed as complying with course regulations and otherwise meeting its requirements.
46. Each applicant will be informed of the outcome of his or her Enrolment Application by either a written Offer of Enrolment or, when the applicant’s selected courses do not meet University requirements, a response in writing. The Offer of Enrolment will advise applicants of the programme(s), qualification(s) and course(s) (if any) that they may study, the terms of their agreement with Massey University and provide instructions on how to respond. Applicants are required to submit to the University, acceptance of the Offer of Enrolment, and the University must receive it, by the due dates specified in the Offer of Enrolment in the manner required, unless this requirement is waived or varied by written notice by the University. On accepting the Offer of Enrolment, students agree to pay the tuition fees and non-tuition fees and agree to the terms of their enrolment.
47. The Offer of Enrolment may be subject to conditions which are inserted for the sole benefit of the University and may be waived by the University by written notice. When the University receives the acceptance of the Offer of Enrolment, the University and the student have a contractual relationship. When the Offer of Enrolment is subject to conditions those conditions must be satisfied or waived by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students and Global Engagement (or delegate), by written notice, or the contract is at an end.
48. A Confirmation of Enrolment is issued by the University to the student when the Offer of Enrolment is accepted and is unconditional or when there are no conditions to be satisfied. Within a defined period following the acceptance of the Offer of Enrolment by the student, and the issue of a Confirmation of Enrolment by the University, the student may propose changes to the programme (eg by adding or substituting courses) by submitting a further Enrolment Application. If the University agrees to the changes proposed by the student, any such changes are recorded and a new Offer of Enrolment is generated, which offer of enrolment must be accepted and a new Confirmation of Enrolment is issued.
49. The dates for Students to add or substitute courses are given in Enrolment Regulation 37. The dates and manner for students to withdraw from courses are given in Enrolment Regulations 60-68. When a student has received a Confirmation of Enrolment but then does not pay tuition fees or non-tuition fees, or does not meet the requisites for one or more courses, the University may, in writing, cancel that student’s enrolment in a course or programme at the University. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students and Global Engagement (or delegate) can cancel enrolment. Cancellation of enrolment means the student is still liable to pay the University tuition fees and non-tuition fees unless cancellation is during the period students are eligible for a tuition fees refund, or the student is eligible for a refund under the Assessment and Examination Regulations. If the University cancels a person’s enrolment in all courses in an academic year, during the period students are eligible for a tuition fees refund, a withdrawal fee is payable.
Mixed Delivery Modes
50. Applicants may apply to be enrolled simultaneously in courses offered in different delivery modes. Such applications are subject to the usual provisions of the General Regulations governing Admission, Enrolment and Examinations.
51. In exceptional circumstances applicants may apply to be enrolled in the internal mode while not attending regularly scheduled classes on campus. All such applications are subject to approval of Academic Board (or delegate). In giving approval, Academic Board (or delegate) shall ascertain that appropriate arrangements have been made for tuition or supervision and for the provision of services required to enable the applicant to undertake the study with a reasonable likelihood of success. Except as set out in this Regulation, students must abide by the conditions applying to the particular mode in which each course is offered.
Concurrent Programmes
52. Students normally enrol for a single programme of study. With the approval of Academic Board (or delegate), it is possible to enrol concurrently in courses for credit to a second programme of study.
Concurrent Enrolment
53. Students who wish to be concurrently enrolled at Massey University and another New Zealand University must obtain prior approval of both institutions. Applications must be made in writing to the Pro Vice-Chancellor’s office of the relevant College as well as the other institution.
54. Normally enrolment is for credit to a Massey University qualification. Students intending to complete a qualification from another New Zealand tertiary institution may apply to be enrolled in courses taught by distance at Massey University for credit to the other institution’s qualification.
55. Permission to credit specific courses to the qualification must be obtained from the institution offering the qualification. This permission can be sought at any time prior to enrolment. Enrolment by Massey University does not mean that courses will be credited by another institution to its qualifications.
Approval
56. The personal programme of every applicant shall require the approval of the Council of the University or its delegate. This is exercised as part of the administrative procedures at enrolment. Approval will normally be granted for study in accordance with the programme regulations. Students’ progress to completion will be assessed under the current year of regulations unless a transition pathway for the student is defined. For general provisions affecting their programme, students are referred to the General Regulations governing Matriculation, Enrolment and Examinations.
57. Students who propose to change from one programme to another ought to contact the University to determine which of the courses they have passed may be credited or transferred to the new programme before they submit Admission Applications or Enrolment Applications. Students applying for loans and/or allowances should contact StudyLink to check their eligibility for assistance. International students should check that whatever changes they make still comply with the conditions of their visa.
58. Enrolment in a programme at Massey University requires:
(a) approval of admission to the University and to the qualification by the Council of the University (or its delegate) (this includes applicants being of good character, which includes, amongst other judgements, an applicant’s previous conduct and discipline and the applicant’s sufficient study progress at another institution in line with Massey’s Academic Progress Monitoring thresholds);
(b) assurance from the relevant academic unit that the financial, human and physical resources relevant to the proposed programme are available; and
(c) enrolment in courses that meet the academic requirements of the qualification.
59. In accepting an offer of place, completing enrolment, and signing the Student Contract, the applicant or student is confirming that they genuinely believe that they are able to undertake the study offered. The confirmation includes, but is not limited to, personal evaluation of their:
(a) Availability in terms of time required and location of study
(b) Capacity to manage the workload associated with the credit-load of courses planned
(c) Willingness to engage in the designated types of assessment and learning activities
(d) Access to the required personal resources to study
(e) Expected wellness or fitness to study, or in the case of long-term health or disability issues, willingness to disclose these to appropriate officers of the University and willingness to engage with the University support mechanisms.
Withdrawal and Cancellation
60. Withdrawals may only be notified by students using the online enrolment facility accessible from the University website or, as an exception, by written notification of withdrawal received by the University. Doctoral students must advise the Graduate Research School of their intention to withdraw on the appropriate form through the Portal. The date of withdrawal is deemed to be the date on which the notice of withdrawal is received by the University. All distance students are required to return their study materials to the University.
61. When the University receives written/online notification of withdrawal from course(s), comprising part but not all of a student’s programme(s) for the year, before 17 percent of the study period has elapsed for the courses concerned (as defined by the course start and end date, termed the census date), the student will be eligible to receive a refund of tuition fees paid for the courses concerned and no academic penalty shall apply. Students will not receive a refund of non-tuition fees paid, and are still required to pay non-tuition fees, but non-tuition fees may be reduced subject to the number of credits remaining in the student’s programme.
62. When the University receives written/online notification of withdrawal from course(s), comprising all of a student’s course(s) for the year, before the census date the student will be eligible to receive a refund of tuition fees and non-tuition fees paid and no academic penalty shall apply. International students may incur an International Administration fee. Should the student be eligible for a refund, where possible the International Administration fee will be deducted.
63. When the University receives written/online notification of withdrawal from a course(s) after the census date but before 75 percent of the study period has elapsed for the course(s) concerned (as defined by the course start and end dates) the student shall be withdrawn but will remain liable to pay all University prescribed fees and will not be entitled to a refund. PhD students will receive a refund based on EFTS not consumed for the academic year.
64. When the University receives written /online notification of withdrawal from a course(s) after 75 percent of the study period has elapsed for the course(s) concerned (as defined by the course start and end dates) the student shall be withdrawn with academic penalty and remain liable to pay all University prescribed fees and will not be entitled to a refund.
65. Students who do not attend a course, where they have accepted an Offer of Enrolment and where they have received a Confirmation of Enrolment, will be liable to pay all fees prescribed by the University and are not entitled to any tuition fee refund for that course unless the correct withdrawal procedures are followed and unless the University receives notice of withdrawal before 17 percent of the study period has elapsed (as defined by the course start and end dates).
66. Withdrawal after 75 percent of the study period is termed ‘withdrawal with academic failure’. The academic record will show DC (Did Not Complete) for all students except doctoral students and WD for doctoral students. Repeated DC or academic failure in the same course may result in the University refusing to enrol that person in the course again in line with clause 58 (b) of the Academic Progress Regulations. Refusal is notified to the student concerned in writing after first giving the Applicant an opportunity to be heard. Students remain eligible to apply to re-enrol in the future.
67. In line with clause 58 (b) of the Academic Progress Regulations, in order to respect the expectation that students will make genuine efforts in their studies, the University may initiate the cancellation of the enrolment of a person where an evaluation determines that a student has not, or cannot, or will not, participate in the course(s) they have enrolled in, and it is not feasible that the student’s position will be recoverable prior to the end of the course. In these cases, the University’s intention will be notified to students in writing and any submission they make in reply will be managed by the Academic Progress Committee prior to a cancellation being finalised.
68. In accordance with section 255(5)(a) of the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Student Contract, the University may cancel or refuse the enrolment of a person on the grounds that it is determined, after careful consideration, that the person is likely to not be of good character and is likely to represent a significant risk to members of the University community or public. In these cases the University’s potential action will be advised to the person in advance, they shall have the right to seek advice and make representations, for those representations to be considered impartially and for any cancellation decision to be appealed to the Provost or nominee.
Specific Circumstances, Including Fee Return
See Assessment and Examination Regulations
Postgraduate Research Courses, Including Carry Forward
69. Postgraduate students enrolled in designated research courses including theses, dissertations, research reports, or project courses (other than for Doctoral degrees), may apply for consideration of their situations as a case of Specific Circumstances and/or they may apply to carry forward their enrolment.
70. Postgraduate carry forward arrangements permit the student, on one occasion, to continue into a new enrolment period. The new enrolment period follows the enrolment period where the student paid tuition fees and this carry forward arrangement is permitted in order to complete the requirements of a thesis (part two), dissertation, research report, or project course, where one of the following conditions applies:
(a) exceptional personal circumstances arise that prevent a student from completing the requirements of a thesis, dissertation, research report, or project course within the relevant enrolment period;
(b) a thesis, dissertation, research report, or project course is being undertaken on a part-time basis and completion within the relevant enrolment period is not possible; The part-time classification must be established at enrolment;
(c) the start date of the thesis, dissertation, research report, or project course has been approved to be different from the start date of the first or only such course. This does not apply to 90 or 120 credit thesis courses; or
(d) unanticipated problems arose with the conduct of research or with supervision or support which are beyond the control of the student.
71. Applications for Carry Forward of Postgraduate Enrolment with exceptional personal circumstances are subject to approval by Academic Board (or its delegate). Students must have a current enrolment for the period in which they will submit but no further tuition fees are due for the enrolment period in which Postgraduate Enrolment is carried forward. An application fee is payable at the time that the application is made. An application will only be approved where Academic Board (or its delegate) is satisfied the student has been making satisfactory progress.
Enrolment of School Students
72. Students who are enrolled for full-time instruction in a secondary school may in conjunction with their school be permitted to study concurrently at the University. All such enrolments must be approved by the secondary school involved. Students admitted under this regulation will be enrolled in the Certificate of Proficiency. When they have matriculated they may apply to credit to a qualification those courses passed under this regulation.
Enrolment of International Students
73. Massey University has agreed to observe and be bound by The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 (the Code) published by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Copies of the Code are available on request or from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website at www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/caring-for-international-students/
74. International students must have compliant insurance cover whilst studying in New Zealand in accordance with the Code.
75. Prior to, and throughout, enrolment in New Zealand-based course deliveries, international students must hold a valid visa which entitles them to study at Massey University.
Persons Resident Outside New Zealand Enrolling for Distance Study
76. New Zealand citizens and holders of New Zealand resident class visas residing outside New Zealand are entitled to pay domestic fees provided they are enrolled:
(a) in a course(s) leading to the award of a recognised qualification offered by a New Zealand Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO); and
(b) at a New Zealand campus of a New Zealand TEO*
Additional non-tuition fees may apply
*Note: Distance is recognised as a New Zealand campus
77. Australian citizens living outside New Zealand who are enrolled for tuition must pay fees at the rate for international students.
78. Distance enrolment may be permitted for applicants living outside New Zealand who are not New Zealand citizens. The process for setting tuition fees due for such enrolments are the same as for other international full fee-paying students studying at Massey University. Enrolment in international off-shore distance programmes may be subject to special terms and conditions as determined and approved by Academic Board (or its delegate). Particular programmes of study and courses may have an attendance or contact workshop requirement which has a face-to-face dimension. Approval of offshore distance education initiatives are subject to the requirements of the University’s Policy relating to the International Delivery of Qualifications.
Note: Enrolment by distance education will not normally be approved for citizens of the People’s Republic of China in order to ensure degree recognition. Any exception requires approval by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College (or their delegate) responsible for the student’s programme of study.
International Students Resident in New Zealand Enrolling for Distance Study
79. International students who are in New Zealand must generally study internally at a campus and hold the appropriate visa; some distance courses may be permissible as long as the student is adequately enrolled to meet visa conditions. People who hold a work visa or other such visas that allow distance study while in New Zealand may undertake distance study, with appropriate variation of conditions to their visa.
Note: Enrolment by distance education for citizens of the People’s Republic of China requires additional completion of a declaration by students to confirm they are fully informed of issues related to degree recognition. Approval is granted by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or delegate) of the College responsible for the programme.
Maximum Student Workload
80. Subject to the student’s Academic Progress Status:
(a) The maximum credits students may take in total over Semester One, Semester Two and the Double Semester shall not exceed 150 credits. Students shall not enrol in more than 75 credits per semester. Students shall not enrol in more than 60 credits for Summer School. Students shall not enrol in more than 180 credits in an academic year;
(b) Students will not be permitted to enrol in more than 120 credits in total over Semester One, Semester Two and the Double Semester, more than 60 credits per semester, more than 30 credits for Summer School or more than 150 credits in an academic year unless they have passed 100% of credits in their most recent enrolment period having achieved at least a B grade average across the courses in which they were enrolled.
(c) Credits for double semester courses are assigned in equal parts per semester;
(d) Applicants shall not enrol in the same year for more than two distinct programmes of study for degrees and diplomas;
(e) The Maximum Student Workload Regulations apply to undergraduate and postgraduate students.