Whether you're new to study or into your final year - being a student can be a bit of a challenge at times.

There are all sorts of factors that impact on your student life - You might be finding classes difficult or have things going on in your personal life that impact your study.

We're here to help, no matter what, and we have a huge range of services available to you.

We also have special services for our international students, refugee and migrant students, as well as Māori and Pasifika. 

Ara is a secular organisation that celebrates students of all beliefs. Ara supports students who want to worship, through the provision of space to do this.  The Muslim Prayer Room can be found in H141 and 142. Christians on Campus also meet weekly.  Details can be found on the students groups page.

Not sure on where you want to go with your qualification? Thinking of changing careers?  Our Careers & Employment team can help you with your career plans. We also offer this service to potential students thinking of studying at Ara - so spread the word!

For all current and graduate students our service also covers all aspects of job search whether applying for part-time whilst studying, looking for work experience opportunities or for your graduate role.

Our Careers team can help with:

• Career information, advice and planning


• Career Assessment through:
  • Career Voyage online programme, which includes two interactive questionnaires involving 80 job factors to provide links from your personal interests to the world of work
  • Personality Puzzle and Values Cardsort activities


• C.V and Cover Letter preparation


• Job search strategies


• Interview techniques


• LinkedIn profile

Use Ara Online Career Resources

myGPS is an interactive Career & Employability app that will help you to improve and track your employability, from the start of study through to graduation and beyond, increasing your value in the job market.

CareerHub is your 'one-stop-shop' where you can: search and apply for work opportunities; register for career events and small group sessions; access and use career information and resources.

Find a job

CareerHub is your 'one-stop-shop' for gaining ‘experience’ and the best thing is that these opportunities are only advertised and available to Ara students!  You can find casual, part time, temporary and full time job opportunities as well as work experience, internships and volunteer roles.  Register on CareerHub through the Campuslife icon using your Ara network username and password.

Student Job Search (SJS) is another online job board where you can register and apply for work opportunities (available for students all across New Zealand).  Check out their ad on Ara Student Plugin

Student jobs at Ara are offered through a range of part time, on-campus opportunities for students.

If you are an international student, find out more about working in New Zealand by reading our fact sheet.

Drop In

For C.V or Cover letter checks at:

City campus, Christchurch: Mon-Fri, 11.30am-1pm

Woolston campus, Christchurch: Tues 12-1pm, Thurs 12-1pm

Asburton, Oamaru and Timaru: (by appointment only)

Make an appointment

Careers & Employment are open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm and available for face to face, skype, phone or email appointment and small group sessions.

To make an enquiry or schedule an appointment at any of our 5 campuses use our online booking form or contact us directly on careers@ara.ac.nz or 03 940 8720

Want to have your tamariki close by while you're busy studying? We have two early learning centres at our city campus, including a bilingual centre. There are discounted rates for students but be sure to get signed up early - our centres are very popular!

Ara Early Learning Centre

Our early learning centre caters for children aged from six months to five years.

Get in touch with Robyn Ellen to arrange a visit if you are interested in enrolling your child.

Find out more including hours, fees and subsidies you may qualify for.

Te Waka Huruhurumanu ki Ōtautahi

Te Waka Huruhurumanu offers high quality early childhood education with a focus on te ao Māori me te reo Māori.

Do you need help to make study work for you?

Disability services provide information, services and equipment to help you make the most of study.

You may be eligible for services such as:

• Note-taking support in class

• Alternative exam arrangements

• Exam reader/ writer

• NZ Sign language interpreter

• Course materials in alternative formats such as enlarged text

• Specialised equipment and furniture

• Software

To qualify for disability services you need documentation like a learning assessment or medical certificate.

Computer access

All computers on campus have Read and Write Gold literacy support software - ask how this can assist you with your reading and writing tasks.

Disability Services can also show you how to use Microsoft Ease of Access settings to make adjustments to computers to suit your individual needs.

Exam and test assistance

Come up and see us if you need assistance with exams. You'll need to book at least two weeks in advance.

Arrangements may include the following:

• A separate room where you can take the assessment alone with supervision from inside or outside the room.

• Extra time, usually 10 minutes per hour; or 15 minutes for a one-hour assessment.

• Provide the assessment in alternative formats; eg. large font, electronic text.

• Provide reading and/or writing support.

• Provide ergonomic furniture or equipment.

• Access to a computer to type your exam, rather than write responses.

To book assistance with your examinations, please use our exam booking form.

Student Finance

Our Student Finance Officer can help you with:

• Information on your study fees.
• Enrolment fee payment.
• Miscellaneous payments.
• Print top ups.
• Rec Centre memberships.
• MetroCard top ups.

Scholarships

Ara has many scholarships and prizes for students. You could be awarded a scholarship for your academic achievements, contributions to the community, or hardship. Ara scholarships support students into high demand areas like ICT, Applied Science, Engineering and Architecture, and Primary Industries.

Find out about scholarships for new and current students and get applying. You won't regret it!

You can also check out givMe which is a database of over 4,000 scholarship. You can access it for free from any Ara campus and most public libraries.

Emergency financial assistance

If you're struggling to continue with your study due to unforeseen financial issues you may be able to apply for assistance. 

Call Storm Geldenhuis on 03 940 8677 to discuss your situation and find out what you could be eligible for.

Available grants

• Hardship fund grant
• Hardship fund study award

City Campus

As a student you can enrol at the Health Centre for a great range of health services at a discounted rate. Ring or visit to book an appointment. All Ara students can access this service.

Counselling

If you're feeling stressed, down or are having difficulties, our counsellors can help. You will see the same counsellor for all your visits. Each session takes about 50 minutes and as a student you can get three sessions for free.

General Practitioner (GP)

Our GP offers an affordable and confidential service . You might be eligible for a community services card to help with GP costs.

Nursing services

You can drop-in to visit our nurse or make an appointment.

Our nurse can help you with:

• Emergency care for accidents or illness occurring on campus

• Lifestyle, exercise, dietary and stress management advice

• Health monitoring and screening for things such as asthma, diabetes, raised blood pressure

• Sexual health such as contraception advice, cervical screening, pregnancy testing and emergency contraception

• Wellness checks

• Wart removal

• Smoking cessation assistance

• Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)

• Treatment of minor illness

• Vaccinations for Measles, Meningitis.

Physiotherapy

Our physiotherapy service uses in-depth knowledge of how the body works, combined with hands on clinical skills, for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of pain, injury or disability.

Treatment is available for all sports, spinal and musculoskeletal pain or injuries. 

This service is available to you by appointment only and appointments are about 30 minutes.

Parents of babies

Students who are breastfeeding or wish to express milk are able to do so in the privacy and comfort of Ara Health Centre. If students need to store breastmilk, a fridge in the Health Centre is available.

Woolston Campus

A nurse is on site on Wednesdays and Fridays. Our nurse's office is in the Student Services Building.

Timaru Campus

Students can visit a doctor at 18 Woolcombe Street. On Tuesdays from 2pm-4pm, it is free for 16-25 year olds.

No appointments necessary.

Ph. / Text: 027-247-9301

How much does it cost?

Check out the price list below:

Staff are welcome to make an appointment to see the doctor on a casual basis, however students do have priority for appointments so occasionally, we may have to cancel and allocate your appointment to a student.  We would then refer you to your own GP or another medical centre i.e. Moorhouse.

Mental Health

If you’re concerned about your mental wellbeing, or someone else’s, help is readily available from the following services.

Sexual Health

If you have any concerns regarding your sexual health, the following services offer help, advice and services.

Enrolment help

Our Admissions and Enrolments counters are the place to visit for help getting started. Staff can help you with:

• Applying and enrolling
• Re-enrolling
• Withdrawing or changing courses
• Course and programme information and resources
• Your student ID card
• Any other questions

International enrolments

We have specialised international admissions staff on hand at our city campus to help students with:

• Enrolling, payments, transfers and withdrawals.
• Student visas.
• Home-stay bookings.
• Student insurance.
• Any other enquiry or question you may have as an international student.

You can also contact our international student advisors for personal support during your time here.

Student information

Feeling a little lost? Have questions but not sure who to ask? There are a number of people you can visit.

If you are at our city campus, visit our student advisors in Student Central in the Rakaia Centre. These staff can advise you on the services we offer and point you in the right direction.

If you're at the Woolston Campus, you can ask for help at Student Central in the Student Services Building.

At our Timaru Campus, head over to Student Central.

If you are a refugee or migrant student, our advisors can help you make the most of your study.

We can help with:

• General Advice
• Studylink
• Employment
• Housing
• Study Issues
• Work and Income (WINZ)

Muslim Prayer Rooms

City campus - M115 & M116 (pre fabricated classrooms on corner of Coventry and Barbadoes Street).  

Available from 06.00am-10.00pm, 7 days a week including public holidays.  Unavailable during summer break (Christmas/New Year) closure.

Woolston - First aid room in Student Services Building. Available 07.00-6.00pm.

To get access, contact security to put swipe access on your ID badge, or pop into Student Central on campus.

Here is where you'll find all the information you need about our IT services as a student. You'll find out about how to change your password, information about your student email, resources you can use as a student, the cost of printing and our free WiFi service.

ICT Service Desk

Having computer trouble? Contact the ICT Service Desk, phone 03 940 8800.

Make sure you have as much detail as possible ready, including any error messages you get, the room number you are in and the asset number (looks like *12345* on a yellow or white sticker) of any computer(s) affected.

Location: The ICT Service Desk is located in T Block, City campus, Christchurch.

Monday to Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm. From 5:00pm to 8:00pm, you will find us in the City campus Library where our primarily focus in on evening class-delivery and classroom availability.

Friday: 8:00am - 4.30pm, with a break between 10:30am - 12:00pm for staff meeting. All phone calls are still attended to during this period so if the call is urgent, please call us.

Saturday/Sunday and Public Holidays: Closed

Learning Services offers a range of services to help you with your studies. Check out our specific services by exploring the tiles below.