Guide to Enrolment
Entry Criteria
To be considered for admission you must attend a personal interview with a Cut Above Academy Course Advisor.
All applicants aged 16 or over will be considered
All applicants are assessed on their merits, not only on their academic achievement
Applicants must have required IELTS score or NZQA approved equivalent
Selection is based on applicants meeting entry criteria and available spaces on the programme
Applicants will be informed of their place by letter, phone call or in person.
You will need the following documents to enrol
Birth certificate or passport as evidence of your NZ citizenship or permanent residency. If you need to apply for replacements of the above documents you can contact the Department of Internal Affairs.
Evidence of your IRD number. If you need to apply for an IRD number or evidence of your IRD number you can contract Inland Revenue.
Evidence of your bank account details eg. a bank statement or confirmation from your bank.
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)
Students with existing qualifications or experience relevant to programme content may apply for RPL. The Course Advisor will explain the RPL procedure if this is applicable to you.
Programme and Holiday Dates
Please refer to the Schedule of Proposed dates for the programme timetable. Applications close one week prior to course commencement. Late applications will be held over, subject to availability of space. We reserve the right to cancel or amend programme streams and holiday dates. Students will be notified of any changes at the earliest possible opportunity.
Fee Protection
Student fees will be held in a trust, call the Public Trust, in compliance with section 236a of the Education Act 1989 as amended by the Education Amendment Act (No4) 1991. The Public Trust is a government owned trust company. For more information on fee protection call 0800 494 733 or visit their website.
Tuition Fees, Course Costs and NZQA Fees
Information on fees, GST, course costs, payment options, financial assistance, student loans and allowances, and the withdrawal and refund policy is clearly explained at campus tours. Details of fees and costs are set out in the payment plan given to students at their interview.
The course cost list, which includes tools and materials needed for the course is given to students at their interview. The academy reports credits on a regular basis.
There is no extra charge for cross credits gained. The official New Zealand Qualifications Authority record of learning for unit standards achieved on the National Qualifications Framework can be obtained from NZQA at your expense. Students can access their results via the NZQA website.
Items of extra personal expenses may include
Writing materials and stationery for theory classes.
Photographic fees for photo shoots (optional extra)
products used for chemical assessments
Field trips (optional extra)
Competition entry fees and related expenses incurred (optional extra)
Cost of replenishing kit items
Withdrawal and refund
It is your responsibility to report your withdrawal from a course in writing. Any fees outstanding will still be expected to be paid until official notification of the withdrawal is received. For your protection, course fees are held in the Public Trust for the duration of your training.
If you withdraw prior to the course start date, you are entitled to a complete refund of any fees paid. If you withdraw within seven training days of the course start date you are entitled to a refund of any fees paid, less 10% or $500.00 – whichever is the smaller amount.
Enrolment will be withdrawn if you are absent without contact for four weeks in a row. There is no refund in the event of withdrawal more than eight training days after the start date.
Post-programme Support
Students are also invited to keep in contact with Cut Above Academy Management, who maintain links with employers.
Equity of Educational Opportunity
Cut Above Academy believes in giving everyone a fair go. We support the principles of equal educational opportunity, competency based training and recognition of prior learning (RPL). To help with these goals we have set in place the following.
Admission procedures that are fair and equitable and impose no unreasonable barriers
Admission policies that honour the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
Support for applicants with disabilities or special needs
Policies and procedures to investigate reports of discrimination.
Alteration and Deferral
All requests for enrolment alterations or deferral to another course must be made in writing to the Education Manager. If you fail to complete the course for a valid reason, such as an injury or illness, you can apply in writing to do a later course.This will need to be supported by evidence, such as a doctor’s certificate. If the deferral request is approved, the academy will recalculate the fees and issue a revised notice.
Human Rights Policies
We are committed to providing an environment that is free from harassment or discrimination of a sexual, racial, academic or religious nature. Procedures to investigate and/or resolve such complaints and policies to prevent the occurrence of such complaints are set in place.
Internal Liaison Process
The Education Manager will ensure that tutors:
Assist students in their learning needs and monitor their progress through the programme.
Assist students to develop the skills of self-learning contract.
The Course Advisors will:
Ensure that students receive appropriate advice on suitability of their chosen course of study.
Ensure that students receive appropriate financial advice.
Ensure that students receive written guidelines outlining welfare and support at enrolment.
Supply information on suitable accommodation for out-of-town students.
Supply information on transport, parking and local amenities.
The Student Services Manager will:
Ensure that students receive written guidelines outlining welfare and support at enrolment.
Inform students of appropriate internal or external agencies for counseling or complaints resolution.
Supply information on suitable accommodation for out-of-town students,
Supply information on transport, parking and local amenities.
Assist with graduate job placements.
Track and report graduate destinations.
Student Loan Scheme
Please contact the Course Advisor for full information and assistance with your application for student loans and allowances, or you can contact Studylink on 0800 88 99 00.
International Students
Cut Above Academy complies with the Code of practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. A copy of this is available from the Student Services Manager.Minimum statutory requirements are:
Certified copy of English language test (Academic IELTS, TOEFL or recognised equivalent. Note: (These results are valid for two years from exam date).
Certified copies of all relevant academic documents (transcripts as well as award certificates).
Certified copy of birth certificate or passport.
Evidence of relevant work experience (including references).
Privacy Act Statement
The personal information collected at the time of your enrolment will be held on the student administration database and will be available only to authorised staff of the Cut Above Academy.Statistical information derived from this database may be made available to external organisations, but will be supplied in such a manner as to ensure that the individuals privacy is protected.Cut Above Academy undertakes to collect and maintain student personal information in a manner consistent with the Privacy Act of 1993.