1) Where is the Auckland College of Homeopathy ?

As it's name describes, the Auckland College of Homeopathy is in Auckland , New Zealand , and is situated in the inner-city suburb of Herne Bay.

The college holds it's homeopathic lectures at the premises of the NZ School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine . situated at 1/ 272 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay. The classrooms are warm, sunny and spacious. There are also open areas both in and outside of the building for students to relax in between lectures. The kitchen on the ground floor has tea and coffee making facilities, students have access to microwaves to heat lunches. Morning and afternoon tea is supplied. Toilet facilties are in the same building and there is plenty of car parking immediately outside.

Cafetarias, parks and the beach are a short walk away down Jervois Rd.

2) How old is the College ?

The College was established in 1984 and is by far the senior homeopathic college in New Zealand , in fact one of the earliest dedicated homeopathic colleges in the western world.

The directors, Derek and Patricia Briggs are the pioneers of homeopathic education in New Zealand .

3) What qualification will I get ?

The College awards its own Diploma which is accredited by the NZQA to level 7

4) What is the NZQA ?

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is the New Zealand government department charged with ensuring that all accredited colleges adhere to a high standard of integrity, pastoral care of students, and educational competence.

5) What level of Accreditation is achieved ?

The Auckland College of Homeopathy is accredited to teach homeopathy at levels 5, 6 and 7.
This is a high level Diploma in Homeopathy with the emphasis on vocational competence. .

6) What are the eligibility criteria for admission ?

Homeopathy is a very individual subject based on the study of people as individual and integrated human beings. As such there are no specific preliminary subjects which are absolutely vital as a foundation for homeopathic study.

Mature students with a broad-ranging knowledge of �People� have a definite advantage in this profession.

English requirements for international students - preference will be given to students who have IELTS academic test report of 6.0 overall band score. For students from India, this may be substituted with 10 + 2 in Sciences as a first preference or 10+ 2 in Arts or Commerce; all years successfully completed in the English medium. Alternatively, students who can successfully complete the Colleges written and oral english language test will be considered on merit and according to place availability. .

7) What if my English is not good enough ?

We have found that a 3 - 6 month course in English at an accredited English language school, plus the determination to speak only English in that time, can bring study comprehension up to an adequate standard.

This can be usefully done while in New Zealand on a visitor's permit.

8) How do I get a visa/ permit to study ?

This of course is the prerogative of the New Zealand Immigration Service, and depends on many personal criteria. We have our personal Immigration Officer who may be able to assist you, please contact us for details.

9) Will I need Medical and Travel Insurance?

Yes. International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while syudying in NZ. Please contact our Immigration Officer for details

Medical and travel insurance is required by the NZ Immigration Service and is part of the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students and also is a conditon for enrolment at the college.

10) What is the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students?

The code is published by the Ministry of Education and sets out the rules and regulations for providers of education who deal with international students.

The Auckland College of Classical Homeopathy has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are avilable on request from this institution or from the NZ Ministry of Education website at http://www.minedu.govt.nz/index.cfm?layout=index&indexid=6663

Immigration Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in NZ while studying and reporting requirements are available through the NZ Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at www.immigration.govt.nz

Eligibility for health services Most International Students are not entitled to publicy funded health services while in NZ. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicy funded health services are avilable through the Ministry of Health and can be viewed on their website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/

Accident Insurance The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all NZ citizens, residents, and temporary visitors to NZ, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at www.acc.co.nz

11) If I am an overseas student, can my family come with me?
Again this is a personal issue between the applicant, the applicants family and the NZIS. Please contact our Immigration Officer for details.

12) How much are the fees ?
All required text books, tutorial expenses, course materials and government taxes are included in the course fee of NZD7000 per year. The college endeavours to cover all costs of tutorials and tutor contact, however for students who request extra personal tuition, this will be charged at a rate of $25 per hour.

The college also will make every effort to maintain the course fee at this level over the four years of the course, however the college cannot guarantee that the fee will not change over this period.

The course fee is to be paid by bank cheque into the college bank account on receipt of the college's "Offer of Place" letter.

13) What happens to the fees that I have paid if I want to or I have to leave the course?

Where a student wishes to withdraw from the college, the student must notify the college in writing of thie decision to withdraw. When the college receives notification, it will refund fees according to the following policy;

Withdrawal within 8 days of the start of the course will attract a full reund less 10% of the total or $500, whichever is the lesser amount, for adminstration purposes. Withdrawal after 7 days from the start of the course must be notified in writing and a partial refund of prepaid tuition fees may be given at the discretion of the college management.

No refinds are payable when the college terminates the enrolment becasue of reasons of misconduct, failure to attend classes or failure to pass the course work satisfactorily.

14) What is the method of teaching ?

The college functions rather like a university. The student attends intensive study blocks in homeopathic theory and practice, and supports this with a high ratio of personal research and assignments.

Information on the faculty and staff at the college can be viewed at 'About Us' on this web site. Drs Pratibha Dalvi, and Chandresh Painter and My Chirag Solanki are dedicated soley to tutoring and looking after the needs of internbational students.

Class sizes are limited to 30 students.

15) How many days will I be spending at college ?

There are ten weekends in the first year with an option of attending a further four weekends. In the second and third years, there are 14 class weekends, and in the fourth year there are four weekends and four tutorials. In addition, every stduent must complete the medical science component which approximates to 100 hours attendance over a three year period. Graduates must have a current first aid certificate to apply for registration with the NZ Council of Homeopaths.

16) How many hours of self study will I need to allow for ?

Experience has taught us that an average ratio of between 3 and 6 hours of personal research and assignments, depending on the student's personal skills and english comprehension, are necessary to support the lecture programme.

In effect this is an intensive 4 year course of approximately 4000 hours of study.

17) How large will the class be ?

Class sizes vary for international and domestic students but are limited to a maximum of 30 students.

18) What if I find the course to be difficult? Will I get extra help to understand the course?

This is a serious professional level course of study and you are expected to find the course challenging, exciting, and stimulating.

For some beginners there is sometimes a problem of simply not being able to grasp this very new subject, and in such cases, provided you have attended the course full time and are studying diligently, the college will endevour to provide extra assistance. Added tutorial assistance can be requested.

20) Am I allowed to work to help support myself ?

Most student's visas which we have seen carry a permission to work 15 hours per week. However this is again a matter between the student and the NZIS and their approval to work must be gained.

21) Does the College have a library ?

Yes, the college has an extensive library. The library is open to students during the week. However our policy is to equip you as a professional homeopath and we provide the best texts available for your personal ownership.

22) Do I have to pay extra for the text books?

For international students, books are included in the fees.

23) Will someone pick me up from the airport?

If you do not have friends or relatives in Auckland to pick you up from the airport, then YES, we can arrange it, but there will be a small fee for that service which is charged by the contractor. A small tour of the city and an introduction to the students basic needs are also included in that service.

24) Where will I stay?

The college cannot take any responsibility for arranging accomodation for any foreign students. However, you may contact our Immigration Officer who may be able to assist you.

25) What will be my weekly/monthly rent?

The weekly rent for a homestay student is around NZ$150 with breakfast and dinner included. Local telephone calls and electricity are included in this. Hostel rent is around NZ$250 for shared accomodation.

Once you are familiar with the city and have made friends there is the option of renting a house. The average rent for a 2 bedroom flat in Auckland is around $250 per week, depending on the suburb. By sharing accommodation, you can save a lot on rent.

25) What will be my expenses for food?

Food is relatively cheap in NZ. If you are managing your own cooking then you will probably spend around $60 - 100 per week.

27) What type of clothes should I bring with me?

Generally, summer temperatures range from 18 degees C to 30 degrees C. Winter from 5 degrees C to 20 degees C. Bring clothes that allow you to dress comfortably within these temperature ranges; in addition, clothing is relatively cheap to buy in NZ.

28) What will my travel expenses be?

The main mode of transportation used by students is a car, which are cheap to buy in NZ. You can easily buy a good 2nd hand car for under NZ$2000. The public transport system in Auckland is also very developed, and on the induction day you will be provided with an introduction to the bus and rail systems, including maps and timetables.

29) What if I fall sick or meet with an accident ?

The New Zealand government has recently introduced a policy to cover this. It requires all International students to have travel and health insurance. This is now part of the visa application process.

30) Are there any sports facilities ?

New Zealand is one of the most sports minded countries in the world, and Auckland as New Zealand's biggest city has many clubs covering virtually every sport in the world.

Cricket, Soccer, Rugby Football, Tennis, Squash etc etc, Auckland has them all.

For more isolated adventure sports such as Mountaineering, Skiing, Bush walking, White water Rafting , New Zealand is small enough for all these to be within just a few hours drive away.

And of course the surf and all ocean sports are either in Auckland or within an hour's drive of it.

31) After graduation will I be allowed to practice Homeopathy in New Zealand ?

Our Diploma of Homeopathy qualifies you as a very competent homeopath.

The other issue of an International graduate practicing in New Zealand is once again a matter between the graduate and the NZIS in gaining a �Permanent Residence� visa.

32) So why should I choose New Zealand to study in ?

New Zealand just has to be the most beautiful and uncrowded country in the world. It has only 4 million people in a country the size of The British Isles, or Japan .

It has a lovely temperate climate and the very rare outbursts of extreme weather are very mild compared with the serious natural disasters experienced world-wide.

Auckland , where the College is located, is our largest city, with just on a million people, and is situated on a lush green isthmus between two oceans. Auckland 's historic �Portages� where the Maoris used to carry their canoes from ocean to ocean, are only three miles across.

Our best advice is to web search � New Zealand � and check out the tourist and other promotional sites.

33) How do I apply?

Please go to the application form in this web site.