FAQ

We know that deciding to go to LIFE Leadership College is not a small decision, and you may have some questions around what it may look like for you. We have put together a video below that answers the most commonly asked questions and you can also scroll down to find more information.

Of course, if there is anything you can’t find the answer for on this page, feel free to contact us by clicking here.

FEES

Q. How much are fees?

2021 Intakes -  
Domestic: NZD 4,640
International: NZD 10,700
COMPULSORY STUDENT SERVICES FEE: NZD 300*

*Please note that a Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) will apply for both domestic and international students for the February 2021 intake onwards. You can find out more about the CSSF here.

You may be eligible for Fees Free if you have not done any tertiary study before. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/ or find out more information in the Fees Free Support section of this page.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS


Q. Are there scholarships available?

A. We do not currently offer scholarships.

Q. Is there part-time work available?

A. International students may be able to work part-time up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on the conditions of their student visa. The minimum wage in New Zealand is currently $18.90 per hour before tax (as of 1 April 2020). You may be able to negotiate a higher wage with your employer, especially if you have previous experience in the industry you plan to work in.

In New Zealand workers have rights and are protected by law. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with your rights as a worker before signing any employment contracts. The following websites go into more details about your rights and obligations as a New Zealand worker:

Q. Is it an accredited course? Can I apply for a student visa?

A. Yes, our programmes are accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), meaning international students can apply for a visa.

*Please note that New Zealand’s borders are currently closed to almost all travellers in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, effective as of 23:59 on Thursday 19 March 2020. An end date on the border closure has not yet been advised. Please visit https://www.immigration.govt.nz/ to find out more.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q. Can you do College part-time? Are there evening classes?

A. College is currently offered in full-time mode only, however you can check out the Night School classes available through LIFE. Please note that Night School classes are not NZQA-accredited.

Q. What are the College hours?

A. The programme is regarded as full time by the government – it is 4 full days (Sunday-Wednesday). This includes lectures, tutorials, groups, chapels, mid-week internship and Sunday internship. This allows students three days to work to support themselves if they wish. Although the timetable usually runs from Sunday to Wednesday, students are also required to serve at some events and conferences to further their leadership skills. Students will be given a calendar detailing these at the start of the semester and will be expected to organise their work commitments around these events.

Q. Can students do Internships at their home church?

A. Yes, subject to approval from the Student Dean.

Q. Am I able to do this course by correspondence?

A. LIFE Leadership College currently delivers its programmes face to face as we believe this is how students will be best supported in their leadership development.

Q. What pathways are there afterwards?

A. Many of our Level 5 graduates choose to further develop their leadership skills by enrolling in our Level 6 New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies (Christian Leadership). 

Upon completion of the Level 6 qualification, other providers may allow you to cross credit towards a Level 7 degree in a relevant field. We do not guarantee that this will be the case and encourage all students to investigate further pathways.

Graduates from our programmes leave with skills that are transferable to any sphere of leadership.

Career pathways may include:

  • Leadership and management

  • Event planning and operations

  • Community and not-for-profit initiatives

  • Children and youth work

  • Volunteer management

  • Administration

Q. What subjects do you offer at Level 6?

A. We offer the following subjects at Level 6:

  • Biblical Interpretation

  • Christian Ethics

  • Ministry Leadership and Management

  • World Religions and the Christian Worldview

  • Internship A

  • Internship B

  • *Please note: this is the 2020 course list. Some topics may change next year.


APPLICATIONS

Q. I’ve completed study in theology before. Can I enrol in Level 6?

A. A key component of our programmes is practical hands-on learning (Internship). This equates to 50% of the course. Therefore, we enrol all students into our Level 5 programme.

Q. What is the application process?

  1. Fill out the online form at https://www.life.ac.nz/apply:

    • This tells us more about yourself and what you’re looking to get out of College. Please answer as completely and honestly as you can.

  2. We will contact you to schedule an interview and request any additional documentation we require. This will include:

    • Your high school transcript showing the credits you have achieved OR a transcript for any tertiary study you have done in the past; AND

    • A copy of the identification page in your passport OR a copy of your birth certificate.

    • A pastoral reference form filled out by your pastor.

      • We will need to sight all of the original documents when you come in for an interview.

    • If you are an international student, we will also require:

      • Evidence that you fulfil the English language requirement

  3. If your interview is successful and you meet the entry requirement, we will process your forms and provide you with an Offer of Place. This will include an invoice for your fees.

  4. If your interview is successful, we process your forms and provide you with an Offer of Place. This will include an invoice for your fees.

  5. You pay your fees or make arrangements to pay them. These will be paid into a Public Trust account in full and then paid to LLC in instalments. This is to protect your fees. You may be eligible for Fees Free if you have not done any tertiary study before. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/ or find out more information in the Fees Free Support section of this page.

  6. Once we have received your fees, we provide you with a Confirmation of Offer of Place and receipt. If applicable, you can then apply for your student visa: https://www.govt.nz/immigration-and-visas/get-a-new-zealand-student-visa/applying-for-a-student-visa/

FEES FREE SUPPORT

If you’re planning to start tertiary study or training for the first time you may be eligible for fees-free support.

Fees-Free covers tuition fees, compulsory course costs and compulsory student services fees, up to a value of $12,000 for one year of full-time study (1 EFTS/120 Credits).

Eligibility

If you were at school in 2017, 2018 or 2019 (other than as an adult student) and you meet the citizenship or residency requirements, you may be eligible for Fees Free.

If you’re not a recent school leaver, and you’ve done less than half a year of tertiary study or training, you may be eligible for fees-free support. You may need to complete a statutory declaration to declare you’re eligible.

To find out if you’re eligible, go to www.feesfree.govt.nz and enter your National Student Number (NSN). If you don’t know your NSN, contact your Student Support Advisor.

Please note that your eligibility status does not necessarily mean you are entitled to consume Fees Free in the year you are studying. If you have any questions about how much Fees Free entitlement you have consumed already, please contact Fees Free.

If you have more questions, see Fees-free FAQ.

Student loans

If you are eligible for fees-free study, and have already applied for a student loan, then you can cancel or reduce the amount of your loan.

Even if you are eligible for fees-free, you may also be able to get a Student Loan to help with course related and living costs. For more information on student loans and allowances, please visit the StudyLink website.

The Process

  • If you’re eligible for fees-free and your eligibility status is ‘yes,’ you don’t need to do anything.

  • If you meet the eligibility criteria for fees-free and your eligibility status is showing as ‘maybe,’ you can complete and submit a form of statutory declaration on the Fees-free website.

  • If your eligibility result is 2018 starter, you are eligible and have been reported as undertaking study and/or training in 2018. You may be entitled to fees-free support in 2020 and it depends on how many EFTS and how much fees-free support you have consumed.

  •  If your eligibility result is 2019 starter, you are eligible and have been reported as undertaking study and/or training in 2019. You may be entitled to fees-free support in 2020 and it depends on how many EFTS and how much fees-free support you have consumed.

  • Your eligibility check will return a 'No' if you fail to meet the fees-free criteria. Your enrolment will progress as normal and you will need to arrange the payment for the invoice.

View the Fees Free Quick Guide

Got more questions? Contact us here