Students are strongly advised to seek guidance by contacting the International Refunds team before submitting any withdrawal, deferral, or refund request. Staff can explain the applicable policy provisions, outline the potential impact on enrolment and immigration status, and clarify any financial implications.

On this page:

How to withdraw from a programme and apply for a refund

An international student who wishes to withdraw from their programme and/or apply for a refund must submit an International Student Withdrawal Request.

Withdrawal requests must be received by the applicable deadline to be considered for a fee refund.

Withdrawal requests may be submitted by:

When you can receive a refund

Student visa decline (new students)

Where a new student’s application for a student visa is declined by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), the student must notify Unitec within ten (10) working days of receipt of the decline decision.

Official documentation issued by INZ must be provided. Subject to verification and policy requirements, a refund may be considered.

Withdrawal for reasons other than visa decline

Where a student withdraws for reasons other than a visa decline, refund eligibility is assessed in accordance with the Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec Student Regulations and the applicable refund schedule.

In summary:

Scenario Refund outcome
Withdraw > 10 working days before the first course starts Full refund minus $180 enrolment fee and $500 admin fee
Withdraw < 10 working days before the first course starts No refund for current semester; unused future fees may be refunded via exceptional application (approval required)
Visa declined after commencing the programme for returning students No refund
Visa approved after Late Start Date
  • Option A: Transfer fees to next semester (no need to apply for a refund)
  • Option B: Withdraw fully – full refund minus $500 admin fee
Withdrawal after deferral No refund
Transfer to another education provider >10 days before the first course starts 70% refund (paid to new education provider)
  • Exclusion from Unitec

Academic exclusion: refund future unused fees minus $500 admin fee

Misconduct exclusion: no refund
Fail to enrol (on student visa) No refund

Discretionary refunds (compassionate or exceptional circumstances)

At the discretion of the delegated authority, a refund may be approved outside standard refund periods in compassionate or exceptional circumstances.

Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

  • Serious illness
  • Significant injury
  • Exceptional or unforeseen events beyond the student’s control

Students seeking consideration under discretionary provisions must supply appropriate supporting evidence and discuss their situation with the International Refunds team.

Refunds for courses that haven’t yet started

Students are not entitled to a refund for courses that have not yet commenced if they withdraw less than 10 working days before the first course start date for personal reasons.

In such cases, no refund is provided for the current semester. Any fees relating to future (unapplied) courses may only be considered through an exceptional refund application, which is subject to approval.

How refunds are paid

Money will be refunded into the same account from which the funds originated. No exceptions will be granted, except that where the originating bank account has been closed, in which case the overpayment will be refunded into the student’s nominated bank account in the same jurisdiction as the originating bank account.

Processing times for refunds

Refunds are normally processed within six (6) weeks from the date that all required and correctly completed documentation has been received.

Processing times may be extended:

  • During peak periods, such as the commencement of the semester.
  • Where enrolment changes or insurance cancellations are required as part of the refund process.

Administration fees for refunds

An administration fee of NZD $500 applies to standard international student refunds.

Charges for changing or swapping courses

Where a student adjusts their enrolment (by swapping or dropping courses) within the same programme and before the 10% course date, and the total enrolled credits continue to meet the student’s visa requirements, no additional tuition fees will normally apply.

Where enrolment changes are made after the 10% course date, additional tuition fees may be charged.

Where a student withdraws from a course before the 10% course date, any unused credits may be carried forward and applied to enrolment in a future semester, subject to programme regulations.

Students are advised to confirm the applicable 10% course dates and the impact of enrolment changes with Student Central or their International Student Advisors.

Withdrawing during the first semester after paying for two semesters

Where Immigration New Zealand requires payment of one full academic year of tuition fees as a condition of visa approval, tuition fees are non-refundable and non-transferable if the student does not complete the full year of study.

By accepting a place in a MIT and Unitec programme, international students enter an agreement with Unitec for the period defined in their student visa. Unless their circumstances fall within specific criteria set out in sections:

8.3: Refunds for international students or

8.4: Refunds on compassionate or exceptional grounds, there will be no transfer of tuition fees for study within this period.

Refunds if transferring to another education provider

Where Unitec receives a complete transfer request, including:

  • Written confirmation of enrolment or an Offer of Place from the receiving institution, and
  • The request is received at least ten (10) working days prior to the earliest course start date,

A 70% refund of tuition fees may be approved.

Approved refunds for transfers are paid directly to the receiving institution, not to the student.

Deferring your studies

International students may defer their studies for one enrolment period only, unless otherwise specified in the relevant Programme Regulations.

Responsibility for costs if a refund payment is returned or declined

Students are responsible for all bank charges, transaction fees, duties, and taxes associated with the processing of a refund.

Where a refund cannot be completed due to incorrect bank details provided by the student or a declined payment by the receiving bank, any additional costs incurred may be deducted from the refund amount. Unitec is not liable for any exchange rate loss or bank fees charged upon payment of a refund.