Studying is exciting - you're on your way to where you want to go! It can also be tough, especially if you're new.

We're all about making study work for you so you can do your best. Keep at it and don't be afraid to ask for help - there is heaps of it available at Ara. It will all be worth it when you get that graduation certificate.

Need official records of your results? Head to Academic Records.

Academic Records can help you with:

• Questions about results.

• Questions about NZQA.

• Official results transcripts at any stage of your study. Transcripts are useful when applying for jobs before graduating. They show which courses you have completed and your final official results.

• Providing final qualifications after graduation. If you're not graduating in person you can pick up your qualification from Academic Records after your graduation date or arrange to have it sent to you anywhere in the world.

Remember that you can also check your results via your Student Portal.

Bennetts Bookstores specialise in academic textbooks.

Once you have your book list, head along to Bennetts and they will help you with everything you need. They can even order in specialised resources.

Visit Bennetts at our City Campus in Christchurch or online for:

• Textbooks
• Stationery
• Art supplies
• Medical instuments
• Other study materials
• Mobile top-up cards
• iTunes vouchers
• Greeting cards
• Confectionery

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.

Dreaming of studying overseas? Well - you can!

Ara offers 6 -12 month student exchange programmes at over 25 partner institutions around the world.

You can learn about another culture, gain new skills and widen your employment opportunities, all while earning credits towards your Ara qualification.

Can I go?

To be eligible for a student exchange you need to be studying full-time towards a degree at Ara.

How it works

When you go on an exchange you remain enrolled as a Ara student and pay your normal study fees to Ara. You don't have to pay extra to study your courses at the exchange university.

The courses you study overseas can in most cases be credited towards your Ara degree.

You will live with a host family or in a hostel, apartments, or student accommodation.

You'll need to pay for flights and have money saved to support yourself overseas. Financial support may be available through scholarship funds.

Get started

Contact our international exchange coordinator to enquire about student exchange. They can talk you through your options and the process for applying, including the application form.

You also need to seek permission from your tutor or head of department to go on an exchange programme.

Our partner institutions

Where do you want to go? 

Global Education Skills Alliance (GESA)

Ara is a founding member of this new international alliance, with partner institutions in Australia and the USA. We are developing international study abroad, exchange and internship opportunities with our GESA partner institutions.

Visit the GESA website for more information and check Campus Life for the latest news on GESA opportunities for Ara students.

Computer Labs

We have several computer labs at our City Street Campus in the Rakaia Centre for all students to use. 

There is also a lab in the Student Services Building at Woolston campus. 

Computers in TG101, TG102, and Te Whare Poutmata are available at the Timaru campus

You can access these computers using your network login. 

Hours 

City Campus:   The Library Pod in L130 is open 24 hours – convenient for those late night study and assignment sessions. You'll need to go to the Security Office, next to the Library entrance, to have access rights and a pin added to your Student ID Card to use this.

If the pod is full you can request through security to open up a classroom in ALX block. 03 940 8076

Woolston Campus: Computers are in the Student Services Building

Timaru Campus: TG101 and TG102 are open Monday-Friday through to 10pm.  Also Saturday and Sunday 8am-10pm.  You need to request access via your tutor or registry, who will put it on your student ID card for access, no pin required.

If you need to contact security out of hours call 027 439 0383.  You can also call 0800 242476 anytime.

All other computer labs across the campuses are open normal business hours:

• Monday - Thursday: 8am–6pm 
• Friday: 9am–4:30pm

Accessibility 

Every computer at Ara has 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 suit your individual needs when using a computer.

So you've finished your study? Next step - Graduation. Congratulations!

Graduation is our official celebration for all students who have successfully completed a qualification at level 4 or above.

It's an exciting time to celebrate with your friends and whānau. Make the most of your big day and attend your graduation ceremony.

Note: If you have just completed a course in levels 1-3 check with your tutor if department organised celebration is available.

Ceremony dates

We hold several ceremonies a year. These are streamed live on the Ara website. See the live streaming requirements page for technical specifications.

See our graduation dates.

How it works

If you're eligible to graduate you will receive a letter by Ara advising you of this. You will then need to complete the online graduation form and read the graduation guide.

Make sure you let us know:

• Whether you want to attend in person or graduate in absentia (not attend and be sent your qualification)
• How many friends or whānau members you want to bring. You are guaranteed 5 tickets but you can request extra
• If you or anyone else has special mobility or access needs, or if a Sign Language interpreter is needed

When we receive your submitted graduation form indicating your graduation choice, we will send you a letter confirming we have received your application and include your requested guest tickets. Extra tickets requested will be posted approprimately two weeks before the ceremony, if these are available.

Graduating at the ceremony

If you're coming along we will send you a graduation guide with all the details you need for the day, including your tickets. If there are spaces available, we'll post out your extra tickets two weeks before graduation.

If you have questions about any of the information in your guide please get in touch with Ara on 0800 24 24 76 or email info@ara.ac.nz.

Graduating in absentia

If you choose not to attend a ceremony you can pick up your qualification from Academic Records with ID after your graduation ceremony date or arrange to have it sent to you.

Technical requirements

Windows requirements

Windows users can simply click on the link to view the live streaming. However, some Windows users may need to install Silverlight to enable streaming

iPad requirements

• iPad, iPad2, or iPad3
• iOS 4.3 or later
• Apple Mobile Safari™
• Wi-Fi or cellular data connection (3G or higher)

iPhone/iPod requirements

• iPhone 4.0 or later, iPod Touch 4th generation or later
• iOS 4.3 or later
• Apple Mobile Safari
• Mediasite iPhone/iPod app (free download available from the Apple app store)
• Wi-Fi connection

Blackberry requirements
(on-demand playback only)

• Blackberry devices running Blackberry OS 7.0 or later
• Playbooks devices running QNX
• Blackberry browser
• Wi-Fi or cellular data connection (3G or higher)

Android requirements
(on-demand playback only, Mediasite 6.0.2 or later)

• Android™ 4.0 or later
• Android browser
• Wi-Fi or cellular data connection (3G or higher)

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 English? This is the place for you.

The Language Self Access Centre (LSAC) is where you can come and practise.

There are resources at all levels to help you learn at your own pace.

As well as English resources, there are materials for learning Japanese, and Maori.

Bring your Ara Student ID to access the LSAC.

Useful resources 

The LSAC Facebook Page has great lists of useful resources which you can use to improve all your English skills; reading, speaking, listening and writing, and also learn how to learn more vocabulary and grammar.

The LSAC Moodle site has many excellent exercises that you can do to improve your English.

• Useful websites for IELTS
• Tips for improving your speaking skills

The library offers an extensive range of resources including books, magazines, eBooks, journals, DVDs and music scores. Use your student ID card in the Self Check machine to issue items to yourself. You can search the library catalogue under Books, ebooks & more on the Library page.

Our librarians can help you find resources for your assignments, including books, ebooks and a range of electronic resources in our databases and subject guides.

You can also book a group study room in the Library at Timaru campus and City campus, Christchurch.

Use our "How do I" guides to help you access our resources.

Like us on Facebook to keep up with what's new in the Library and follow our Library blog.

Contact us if you have any questions. We are open 7 days.

Finding library support on all campuses

City campus, Christchurch

Find the Library in the Rakaia Centre atrium (L block) at the City campus on Madras Street.  Librarians are available to help you find resources.  Look for our red lanyards.

Woolston campus, Christchurch

Find the Library in the Student Services building at Woolston campus.  There are no library staff at Woolston campus but you can issue your own books using the self issue machine.  See the Student Services reception if you have any problems and they can contact the library to help you or ring us directly at 0800242476 and ask for the library. 

Timaru campus

Find the Library in A Block, on Arthur Street. Staff are available to help students in the Library on Timaru campus.

Oamaru and Ashburton  campuses

Oamaru and Ashburton campus students may request books online using the Library Search facility. Your requests will be posted directly to your home address. The Library also supplies a label for freepost return of library materials. If you have any questions or need help finding resources for your assignment please contact us at library@ara.ac.nz or phone 0800 242476 and ask for the Library.  We are open 7 days.

Programme handbooks for 2017 are available below by subject area.