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Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

Can I work while I study at the ELA? 
Yes, if you are studying for more than six months and have an overall IELTS band score of 5.0 when you apply for your visa. You can work up to 20 hours per week.
What kind of visa do I need for studying at the ELA?
You can study up to three months on a visitor visa at the ELA. For courses longer than three months you will need to apply for a student visa. For more information about visitor and study visas check the New Zealand Immigration Service website – Student section – (Visa requirements)
Can I study at the ELA if I have a working holiday visa? How long can I study?
Yes, you can study up to three or six months when you have a working holiday visa, depending on which country /area you come from.
Can I get more information on the courses? What is the class timetable?
Please go to the Courses section.
How to apply? 
Please go to the Enrolment Section.
Where can I find more information on the IELTS exams? 
Please go to the IELTS Section.
Can I get more information about Empire Apartment and Homestay? 
Please go to the Accommodation section.
How can I apply to be your agent? 
If you wish to apply to become one of our registered agents, you need to complete and submit the online Agent application form to marketing@ela.auckland.ac.nz

The link to the application form is provided in the Agents page of the ELA's website. We will review your application and advise you of our decision within two weeks.
Do you have any teaching positions available? 
Please email your curriculum vitae to our Academic Manager with full contact details: jdowling@ela.auckland.ac.nz

PLEASE NOTE: we require a minimum TESOL qualification of Trinity College London CertTESOL or CELTA. Many of our teachers also have postgraduate qualifications in education, linguistics and language studies. If you would like to find out more about teaching English to speakers of other languages, see Teacher Training.

IELTS FAQs

How and when do I apply?
Enrolments for test places will close either when the exam reaches capacity or approximately 3 working days prior to the test. We recommend enrolling early to ensure you can get a place on your preferred test date as test dates may close off earlier if full.

Please phone (09) 919 7695 to confirm test place availability before making applications.

There are three ways you can enrol for the IELTS test:

1. Come in to the IELTS Centre and enrol, bringing with you:
- Passport – current and valid
- Two passport sized photos (not older than six month old & not wearing glasses) Your fee of $385 (Please pay by Eftpos, credit card or cheque because we do not accept cash). Cheques must be made out to Auckland UniServices Ltd
We have application forms at the centre or you could download one from our website: www.ela.auckland.ac.nz.
The University of Auckland IELTS Centre is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm. It is located at the ELA, Level 5, SAP Building, 67 Symonds Street, Auckland.

Once your application has been processed you will receive a confirmation letter. We will also finger-scan and photograph you as well

2. By Email:
- Download, complete and sign official the application form (4 pages) form the website: www.ela.auckland.ac.nz or request an application pack to be sent to you.
- Download and complete the payment cover sheet (VISA/Master cards only).
- Include a copy of your passport showing your photo, date of birth and the expiry date of your passport. (You must bring your original passport on your test day).
- Scan 1 recent (less than six month old) passport sized photo (Please save as a jpeg only)
- Email the above as attachments to ielts@auckland.ac.nz
- Once your application has been processed you will receive a confirmation letter by email.
Candidates will receive a letter of confirmation by email. You will need to be finger-scanned and photographed on test day, so please be at the centre at 11.30AM on test day.

Scan a copy of your passport showing your photo, date of birth and the expiry date of your passport. )

3. By Mail:
- Download, complete and sign official the application form (4 pages) form the website: www.ela.auckland.ac.nz or request an application pack to be sent to you.
- Download and complete the payment cover sheet (VISA/Master cards only) or if include a cheques in the name of Auckland UniServices Ltd
- Include a copy of your passport showing your photo, date of birth and the expiry date of your passport. (You must bring your original passport on your test day).
- Attach two recent (less than six month old) passport sized photos
- Mail the above to: The IELTS Administrator, Private Bag 92019, Bag #163, Auckland 1001
- Once your application has been processed you will receive a confirmation letter by email.
You will need to be finger-scanned and photographed on test day, so please be at the centre at 11.30AM on test day.
Will I receive a letter in the mail before the test day?
You will be given a letter of confirmation when you apply your IELTS in person. Keep this and bring it with you to the test. Candidates who apply the IELTS by mail will be emailed a Letter of Confirmation upon receipt of payment and the completed application form.

Full details about what to bring on the test day, conditions of taking the test and cancellation policy are shown on the application form. On the test day, report to Level 5, 67 Symonds Street at 11.30am.
When can I get my results? Who else can get details of my results?
The results are available after 13 days from your test date.

If you live in the Auckland CBD, you must collect your test result from the IELTS Centre. (Please bring your passport.)
Otherwise, a copy of your result will be sent to you at the address written on the Application Form.

You can request a copy be sent to a Receiving Institution such as the University of Auckland.

The first five additional Test Result Forms are free if ordered on your original IELTS application form.

Further copies to Receiving Institutions are charged at NZ$20 each and are mailed direct from the IELTS Centre to the address you indicate on the TRF application form.

Postage costs for Receiving Institutions outside of New Zealand incur $5 per copy sent.
Can I get extra copies of my results?
Lost TRFs or those mailed to an old address cannot be re-printed and issued. You may however fill in a form for a Receiving Institution such as the University of Auckland to be mailed a copy of your TRF.
Do I have to bring my passport to the test?
Yes. You will not be able to take the test if you do not have your passport. Certified copies will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Can I apply for my friend if I have his/ her passport?
You may, but the application forms must be signed by the candidate sitting the test and photos submitted must be that of the candidate. Candidates not looking like the photos submitted with the application form may be turned away on the test day and will not receive a refund.
When do I report?
Candidates must report at 11:30 am at Level 5, 67 Symonds Street, Auckland (SAP Building).
Why can't I use a photo older than six month if it is the same photo as my passport?
IELTS regulations state that we must have an up-to-date photo of you. Your result form will have your photo on it. If you do not look like your photo your result may be questioned and you may not be allowed to sit the test.
What should I do if my passport is with the New Zealand Immigration Service for a new visa?
Show your IELTS test receipt and letter of confirmation to New Zealand Immigration Service and they will release your passport for the test day. No passport, no test.
What else should I bring to the test?
Bring your passport and confirmation letter. You must also bring your own pen, pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners. Please do not bring cellphones or bags to the test. All bags must be left outside the examination room. No responsibility will be taken for candidates' personal property.
Can I bring anyone with me to the test?
No. Family, friends and agents are not permitted in any of the test buildings during the IELTS test.
What is the test format?
When you enrol you will be given a candidate information booklet which describes the format of the test. Listening = 30 minutes, Reading = 60 minutes, Writing = 60 minutes, Speaking = 12 to 15 minutes.
Is the Speaking test on the same day?
Where possible we try to conduct the full test on one day if you wish to. We also have speaking test on Thursday before the test and candidates are ask first.
Is there any difference in the IELTS test from one IELTS centre to another?
No. Every IELTS centre in New Zealand uses the same test on the test date. Examiners at the University of Auckland also examine at the other testing centres in Auckland. There is no difference in how the examiners evaluate and mark tests from one centre to another.
Can I change or cancel my test date after I have enrolled?
You may change or cancel your test up to 25 working days before the test date. There is a NZ$50 Cancellation or Postponement fee for any change.

No Cancellation or Postponement will be taken less than 25 working days (Monday to Friday) before the test date.
What is the difference between the Academic and General modules?
The Reading and Writing tests are different.

The Academic module assesses if a candidate is ready to study or train using the English language at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

The General Training module is for immigration purposes in New Zealand, Australia and Canada, work experience or training programmes not at degree levels and to complete Secondary education.

See the IELTS information booklet for more details.
What is the minimum score required to pass the test?
This depends on why you are taking the test. Here are some examples:
- For New Zealand residency, the standard requirement from the New Zealand Immigration Services is an overall band score of 6.5 in the IELTS General or Academic Module.
- Foundation Studies for the University of Auckland requires an overall band score of 5.5 in the IELTS Academic Module with a minimum of 5.0 in all bands.
- University of Auckland Undergraduate requirements:
- Please refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the University of Auckland website.
- University of Auckland Postgraduate requirements: Please refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the University of Auckland website.
For more information about IELTS visit the official site at - www.ielts.org.

Homestay FAQs

Who will meet me at the airport? How will I find them?
The Aeroport Shuttle driver will have a sign with your name on it.

The airport arrivals hall map is on this site.
If I don’t see the shuttle driver, what will I do?
Go to I-Site help desk and ask them to call Premier Transfers or ring the ELA emergency phone 0800 864 737
How far will it be from my homestay to ELA?
Our homestays are all located within a 12km radius of ELA. It is rare to live within walking distance from the school, because Auckland is so spread out.
How will I get to school?
Usually by bus and the homestay will take you on the bus either the day before or on the day you start school. Buses run frequently during peak times, 7-9am and 4-6pm, after these hours, buses run infrequently.
Do all New Zealanders have pet animals?
Most families will have either a domesticated pet dog or a pet cat.
Will I have my own bathroom?
Most homestays have a shared family bathroom .
Will there be Broadband Wireless connection in my room?
This is not guaranteed but many families now provide internet, you may be asked to contribute no more than $20 per month for this facility.
Will the family be local and native speakers of English?
Auckland is a diverse society. Any person with New Zealand citizenship, whether they were born here, or Korea, China, Fiji, India or France, is a New Zealand citizen.

All household members will be proficient in English and will speak only English when the student is present.

New Zealand law forbids discrimination on grounds of race, ethnic origin, religion, marital status or sex, therefore New Zealand accommodation officers cannot favour stereotypical New Zealand families over other types of families.
How do I pay my homestay money if I want to stay in the homestay after 4 weeks?
You can pay the 4 weekly fee in advance at the Reception at ELA by Credit Card or EFTPOS.
What if I want to move out of my homestay before 4 weeks?
You can move out if you choose before 4 weeks, but your homestay money is non refundable.
Where can I buy a bus pass?
On the first day at Orientation you will be shown the places to buy a monthly or weekly bus pass.
Will someone help me to open a bank account?
If your study period is for more than 10 weeks, you can choose to open a bank account and this will happen also during the Orientation on the first day.
Some questions to ask your homestay when you have been here for a day or so.
- Can you show me how to lock up the house?
- What time is dinner?
- How long can I spend in the shower?
- Can I shower after 10 p.m.?
- Will I be doing my own washing?
- What time do you leave for work in the morning?
- When should I get up in the morning?