Southern Institute of Technology

SIT is a vibrant educational institute where students always have some new developments to look forward to, on the academic and the recreational fronts.

Research

Being a thriving research institute, research projects and events are always prioritised and showcased at SIT. Research at SIT has continued to flourish over the last couple of years, underlining the Institute’s strong commitment to enhancing research capability and ensuring that teaching on higher level qualifications is informed by research.

A prominent collaborative project was completed recently, that examined student engagement across the student life-cycle. The project, jointly carried out by the SIT Research Institute with funding from SIT and NZITP, brings together good practices from Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) throughout New Zealand, in addition to identifying areas for improvement and possible future action.

New Programmes

To add to its varied list of study programmes on offer, SIT now offers a Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) programme and a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation).

Other developments

The SIT Gym has undergone a complete refurbishment and now has programmes for fitness, rehabilitation, strength, health and high performance. Students can utilise this wonderful facility for a healthy extracurricular alternative.

Other news and developments at SIT...

SIT offers international students study programmes at four levels - Diploma, Bachelor’s, Postgraduate and Master’s.

Diplomas are normally over 1 or 2 years of study and are necessary for technical and professional occupations. In some cases, diplomas may be cross-credited towards degrees.

Bachelor’s programmes require specialist study in a particular subject area, and are usually spread over three years of study.

Graduate Certificates and Diplomas are suitable for those students who want to gain further skills and knowledge in either a familiar or a new discipline.

Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates are open to those applicants who have already completed a degree programme in the same subject area or, as may happen in some special cases, have the equivalent skills, knowledge and work experience.

A Master’s Degree builds on a Bachelor's or Postgraduate qualification, or in some cases extensive professional experience. Candidates will be required to undertake research and demonstrate advanced level of scholarship, such as writing a thesis. Most master’s courses are a combination of taught courses or research.

Academic programmes cover a wide range of subject areas, ranging from Agriculture to Nursing, and Computing to Environmental Management. In addition to conventional courses such as Engineering and Hospitality, SIT also focuses on relatively less conventional subject areas such as Electrotechnology, Art Design, Audio Production, Veterinary Nursing and much more.

All qualifications offered at SIT are approved and accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). More about courses...

For international students, admission to SIT is generally based on scores obtained from the successful completion of the equivalent of 12 years of study. Students also need proof of proficiency in the English language, such as results on recent IELTS, TOEFL or other equivalent tests approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

The application process for international students wishing to study at SIT is as follows:

1.Choose the programme.

2.Complete an international student application form, in English.

3.Attach the required documents, making sure to include copies of:

• Passport or birth certificate
• Recent IELTS, TEOFL or equivalent English proficiency test results (if available), as approved by NZQA
• Transcripts and academic achievements with English translations (if applicable)

International students may also need other documents, based on the requirements of their particular programme, such as:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Letter of intent detailing why they wish to study their chosen programme
• Character or work references
• Portfolio or business plan

More about entry requirements...

One of the main considerations for most students from overseas is the cost of their studies. Fully aware of this fact, Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) offers international students a range of scholarships to fund their studies. Scholarships are also offered for those students applying to study English, and to those who need further skills to be eligible for entry into study programmes at SIT. The institute offers three primary scholarship programmes:

• 26-week English Scholarships for students wanting to improve their English abilities.
• Zerofees Foundation (ZFF) Scholarships, which are scholarships to students who need further academic skills to apply for certain diploma and degree programmes within SIT.
• 16-week Accommodation Scholarships, for students on the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Enterprise while they complete their on-site course studies. This is based on a shared room in one of the SIT Apartments.

More about scholarships...

International students at SIT can make the most of their time by making use of the wonderful academic and recreational facilities on offer.

The SIT Library is an ideal place

To cater to students’ health, both physical and mental, SIT has a Health Centre where registered nurses provide free, friendly and confidential services to all students.

Culinary options are abundant on campus, with three cafes and a restaurant for students to choose from. Of these, the Bungalow Restaurant is SIT’s Training Restaurant, where students can not only savour some delicious food, but also play their part in the development of future chefs and restaurant managers.

Other facilities on campus include the Fashion Shop, which sells clothing and art designed and made by graduates and current students of SIT, the SIT Bookshop, the SIT Gym, a hairdressing salon and a beauty therapy clinic.

More about facilities...

SIT’s main campus at Invercargill has a range of accommodation options for students to choose from. Students can choose to live with a local family in a homestay, use one of SIT’s accommodation options or stay in private accommodation. The best part is - accommodation for the first two weeks is free!

SIT Apartments are single or two-room apartments, built specifically for international students. They come with an attached living area, kitchen and bathroom. There is also the option to share a room to reduce costs. The self-contained units contain kitchen utensils and a shared laundry on-site. The apartments are a 5-10-minute walk from SIT's campuses.

SIT has tie-ups with Homestay hosts, who are local Kiwi families willing to host international students. Homestays are a great way for students to practice and improve their English skills and learn about Kiwi culture. Students get their own room and access to shared family facilities, with meals provided. Located in suburban areas of the city, these residences usually have private access and gardens.

There are other private accommodation options that students can choose from, such as the Invercargill Apartment Hotel, Karon Court, Dan Davin Village and Kelvin House, or they could rent a room in a private home or flat.