Invercargill FAQs
SIT2LRN FAQs
Invercargill FAQs
How do I find my textbooks?
Your textbook list will be given to you at the start of your course and are available to purchase from the SIT Bookshop located in our Student Services Centre at 133 Tay Street, Invercargill. SIT students also have the opportunity to use the large collection of resources located at the SIT Library next door. There is a range of services here at your disposal, from online journals to industry released magazines.
How do I get my ID card?
ID cards are assigned at the start of the new semester otherwise they are available at various times through out the semester. Students can contact Facilities to produce their individual cards. It is important to obtain your ID card as they give you access to important facilities around SIT and can get you some much needed discount from various places around Invercargill.
What resources do I have access to?
Every student at SIT is assigned a free email account. This account is accessed through the webmail access page. There are computer labs situated at different places around the campus and your ID will gain you access to this resource.
What kind of programmes do you have?
A full list of programmes can be found under our programme section of the website.
What is the criteria for entry?
Application criteria is dependent upon which programme you choose. It is specified for each programme individually. View programmes
Can I cross credit points?
SIT recognises the need to avoid repetition that is why we have a recognition of prior learning unit set up. It will give the opportunity to assess students previous studies, and may help to transfer credits or cross credits points that are from papers that are similar in content level and credit value.
Do SIT qualifications match up to other tertiary institutes around New Zealand?
SIT is an accredited provider of New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) approved programmes. All accredited providers throughout New Zealand must meet these standards and therefore all programmes at SIT are nationally recognised as valid and official qualifications.
What scholarships are available to SIT students?
A full list of scholarships can be found under our scholarship section of the website.
What kind of accommodation is available in Invercargill?
A list of SIT accommodation can be found under our accommodation section of the website.
What kind of Student Support does SIT have?
A list of student support services can be found under our services and support section of the website.
SIT2LRN FAQs
How do I apply?
Print an enrolment form from our website (here) or phone 0800 SIT2LRN (0800 748 257 ext 3320) to request an application form and information pack.
Do I need a computer and internet access?
Yes, you must have access to the internet and a computer. All communications between facilitators and students are via email or the internet based Blackboard Learning Management System.
What are the Hardware and Software Requirements?
PC: 200Mhz+ processor, 1024x768 monitor, 56k modem or greater. Win XP/Vista/7 + & IE 7.0 or Firefox 3.5 +
Mac: G3, 1024x768 monitor, 56k modem 56k or greater. Mac OS 10.5+ & Safari 4 .0 + /Firefox 3.5 +
Do I need access to SKY TV?
You do not need access to SKY TV to complete your programme. The SIT2LRN programming that screens daily on SKY Digital Channel 110 and FreeView Channel 23 is supplementary to your programme materials.
Are there any costs involved?
The Zero Fees Scheme applies to most SIT2LRN programmes. Usually there are no tuition fees as long as you are a NZ citizen or permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost of $5.50 per credit of study undertaken, plus there may be textbooks that you’ll need to buy while studying with SIT2LRN. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.
Students should consider the following additional study costs:
All courses:
- Student Direct Material Cost - currently $5.50 per credit
- The need for computer and internet access
- Your own personal stationery etc
Some courses:
- Required text books (Also available for loan through SIT Library by mail)
- Specific software and/or equipment requirements for some courses (eg - Diploma in Digital Film/Photography, Computing courses)
- If your course is a National Certificate or Diploma from the NZQA, once you have completed, you may then apply directly to the NZQA for the National Certificate or Diploma. NZQA currently charge $15 for these.
If you are an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident you must physically reside in NZ while studying to be eligible for the Zero Fee Scheme. Alternatively, if you wish to study in Australia, then you have the option to pay as an international student. International students should contact SIT to enquire about course costs.
The Zero Fees Scheme is available as a result of community funding and present Government policies. Although not foreseen, SIT is unable to guarantee ongoing Zero Fees Scheme provision should present funding arrangements and/or Government policies be reviewed.
How do SIT2LRN courses work?
Once you have been accepted into a course you will be sent details of how to access your material through the internet prior to the course start date
You will receive a letter with your course materials and the contact details of your course facilitator, including your Blackboard and Webmail username and password
From the course start date you then work through the on-line material
Semester study calendars outlining what should be covered each week are either posted on Blackboard or contained in material posted to you
Assignment information and due dates are posted on Blackboard
Most assignments and assessments are submitted to your Facilitator via email or Blackboard (Interior Decor assessments are sent through the post)
What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is the Learning Management System (http://blackboard.sit.ac.nz) that SIT2LRN uses to make information available to students.
Information that your facilitator will place on the Blackboard site may include:
It is important that you log in to Blackboard and check your programme information regularly. If you have a question, you can post it on the Blackboard Discussion board. Questions are then answered by your facilitator, SIT2LRN staff or other students.
What is Webmail?
Each student is assigned a free email account by SIT. This account is accessed through http://webmail.sit.ac.nz. It is best if you use your webmail account for all of your SIT2LRN communications. You can email your facilitator questions through webmail.
Can I study part-time?
All SIT2LRN courses can be completed part-time. You select how many units you would like to complete during each time period on your enrolment form. We have a formula to help you work out how many hours a week of study will be required: Each credit is worth approximately 10 hours of learning. If you need to study full-time to access loans & allowances you need to contact Studylink for guidance on credits/weeks of study.
Are there due dates?
All SIT2LRN programme assessments have due dates which need to be met. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on Blackboard.
What sort of workload can I expect?
As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake period. All papers selected within a particular intake must be completed within that intake and cannot be carried over to another intake unless a transfer is requested within the first two weeks after the start date. Students should enrol in alternate intakes to avoid date overlaps.
Who should I contact if I have any questions about my course?
You should email your facilitator. Email details for your facilitator are located within Blackboard under Staff Information.
If I am living overseas can I study with SIT2LRN?
Yes, provided you are a New Zealand Citizen you can undertake study with SIT2LRN from anywhere in the world and access the Zero Fee Scheme.
I have sent in my application, now what?
A letter, txt or email from SIT2LRN will be sent to you acknowledging receipt of your application. If accepted, and once all documentation has been received (including verified ID for new students), a letter from SIT2LRN will be sent advising of acceptance to the programme intake (or a decline letter if this is appropriate). If accepted and fully enrolled, you will be sent your individual Blackboard login details and programme documentation, and the email address of your Facilitator.
I have received my login details, what next?
Access to a student tutorial site on Blackboard is available once you are fully enrolled for an intake. Once you follow your login instructions, you will be able to familiarise yourself with how the Blackboard system works, prior to commencing your study. Course details will be visible from the first day of intake commencement.
All students are required, within the first two weeks of intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Students who have not completed this enrolment process or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2nd week of intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fee Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.
When do I need to apply by?
Applications must be received by SIT no later than 15 working days prior to programme commencement. It is recommended students apply early to avoid delays during or near deadline periods, and be sure that they don't miss out if courses/intakes/Zero Fees Scheme places fill up quickly.
Enrolments for each calendar year typically open in October of the previous year.
Application forms are filled out on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes on the one application form. Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students. There is no automatic enrolment rollover.
Students new to SIT will be required to provide a verified copy (signed by a Justice of the Peace or Police) of your birth certificate, passport or active National Student Number with your enrolment.
Can I study more than one course at a time?
You may apply for more than one course at a time, as long as both courses are to be studied part time and the total of your enrolment is within the limit allowed. However, it is recommended that students wanting to complete more than one course study and complete one course, then move on to the next one they want to do.
How do I select part-time study when applying?
On the last page of each SIT2LRN application form the individual unit/s or paper/s for the course are listed, along with the available intakes for each calendar year.
Students select just the unit/s or paper/s that they want to complete in each intake that they wish to enrol in for that year, and arrange their part time study by spreading their selections over several intakes.
I'm currently studying with SIT2LRN, so will I automatically be enrolled in further study for my course and/or further intakes that I haven't requested?
No. Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students. There is no automatic enrolment rollover. Application forms are filled out on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes on the one application form.
I'm a current or previous SIT/SIT2LRN student applying for further study in a new intake/year - do I need to complete the whole application form again and resend my verified identification?
You won't need to resend your verified identification as we keep that information on file. (However, if you have had a name change, or update to your residency/citizenship you should submit your new verified identification to show this change).
You will need to complete the first page of the application form, read and sign the declaration on the form, and most importantly - complete the last page where you will select the unit/module/papers you wish to study and note in which intake/s you wish to study them. You'll also need to note your intended payment method for the Student Direct Material Costs.
How / When do I pay the Student Direct Material Costs?
Payment is due on the start date of each intake enrolled in - for just the paper/s or unit/s that you have enrolled in for that intake. You can send payment with your application, or note your intended payment method on your enrolment/application form. Once you are accepted into study and enrolled, you will be sent a confirmation of acceptance letter (and invoice if you didn't submit payment with your application form). Current payment options are: Student Loan, credit card, cheque, direct debit.
If I withdraw from the course, can I get a refund/credit?
In order to get a refund of fees, students must advise SIT2LRN of their application withdrawal, in writing, 14 days prior to programme start date. Students can withdraw up to 75% of the way through the course, but will still be liable for the fees. Students must advise SIT2LRN in writing of their programme withdrawal.
Can I transfer into another intake?
Each transfer requested into an alternative intake will incur an admin fee of $50. Transfers are not permitted two weeks after the intake start date or between academic years.
Are your courses approved by Studylink?
Yes, all SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink
Can I get a Student Allowance?
SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink, but you will need to check with Studylink whether you are personally eligible for a Student Allowance whilst studying. Usually students must be studying full time to qualify for an allowance. Full time study requires approximately 38 - 40 hours per week of study time.
Can I get a Student Loan?
SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink, but you will need to check with Studylink whether you are eligible for a student loan whilst studying.
If you are studying as a part time student, Studylink may also require you to be enrolled for a set length of time to qualify for a Student Loan.
What will I get when I complete my course?
All students are sent an official SIT student transcript for each intake of study that they complete. This shows the topics/units/papers studied, and the students results for each one. Transcripts are sent out ASAP after an intake ends, and typically arrive 6 - 8 weeks after the end date of the intake.
Once students complete an SIT Certificate these are also sent out with the final transcript
Students completing Diploma level study are sent a programme completion letter and graduation ceremony information, in case they wish to attend graduation.
Students completing a National Certificate or National Diploma are sent the NZQA application form for these, along with their final transcript from SIT.
Can I cross-credit previous study to my SIT2LRN course?
If you have already completed some unit standards in the Programme that you are applying for, please complete this Cross Credit form, and send it to us with a copy of your NZQA Record of Achievement when you apply for the Programme.