The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021
New Zealand educational providers have an important responsibility for tertiary and international students’ welfare. When students from other countries come to study in New Zealand, it is important that those students are well informed, safe, and properly cared for.
UUNZ Institute of Business has agreed to observe and be bound by the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 to ensure learner well-being and safety. Copies of the Code are available from the NZQA website.
One of UUNZ's goals in 2022 was to ensure we meet all the requirements of the updated Code of Practice. Our self-review highlighted several improvements that we could make right away and some that will take a little more time to put in place.
What we have improved:
- We've made the requirements and options for buying medical and travel insurance clearer.
- We've improved the way that we work with education agents.
- We've updated our Privacy Policy so our processes for collecting, using and protecting personal information are clearer.
- We've updated the information about the English language courses we offer.
What we're working on:
- We're developing new processes and surveys for getting feedback from our learners, including feedback on how we support learners with their well-being and safety.
- We're making it easier for our learners to raise any concerns they may have about their study, their education agent or homestay accommodation.
- We're updating our student handbook and prospectus so that it includes the most up-to-date information about our courses and studying in New Zealand.
What is the Code?
The Code is a document that provides a framework for service delivery by educational providers and their agents to tertiary and international students. The Code sets out the minimum standards of advice and care that are expected of educational providers with respect to tertiary and international students. The Code applies to pastoral care and provision of information only, and not to academic standards.
Code of Practice videos:
https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/tertiary-and-international-learners-code/know-the-code/know-the-code-videos/
Who does the Code apply to?
The Code applies to all education providers in New Zealand with tertiary and/or international students enrolled. The Code is mandatory to these providers and must be signed by them.
What is an “international student”?
An “international student” is a foreign student studying in New Zealand.
How can I get a copy of the Code?
You can download a copy of the Code from the NZQA website.
What if I have questions about the Code?
NZQA is the Administrator of the Code. If you have any inquiries about the Code, you can find out more information on the NZQA website or email code.enquiries@nzqa.govt.nz.
What if something goes wrong?
If you have a complaint about UUNZ Institute of Business breaching the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021, follow UUNZ Institute of Business formal complaint process first.
If this does not resolve your complaint, you can contact:
- NZQA (for concerns and complaints about a provider breaching the Code) or
- iStudent Complaints (for concerns and complaints about money or contracts).
You can contact iStudent Complaints in a few ways:
Website: www.istudent.org.nz
Email: complaints@istudent.org.nz
International phone number 64 4 918 4975
Freephone (within New Zealand) 0800 00 66 75
A summary of the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021
The Code sets standards for education providers to ensure that:
- providers have strategic goals and plans related to student wellbeing
- providers have responsive wellbeing and safety systems and practices, including in tertiary student accommodation
- students’ voices are heard and their concerns and complaints are addressed
- the particular wellbeing and safety needs of international students are recognised
- the recruitment of international students is undertaken in an ethical and responsible manner
- information supplied to international students is comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date
- international students are provided with appropriate orientations, information and advice
- contractual dealings with international students are conducted in an ethical and responsible manner