FAQ

Our application process is very easy:

1. You Apply
Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll help with the rest. Our convenient online application tool only takes 10 minutes to complete.

2. We Connect
After you submit your application, an admissions representative will contact you and will help you to complete the process.

Once you have received your offer and paid your enrolment deposit, our student support team will guide you through the remaining steps — including visa application assistance, accommodation arrangements, pre-arrival information, and orientation registration. Auckland Royal Academy's orientation programme runs at the beginning of every intake and is designed to help new students from every country settle quickly, make friends, and start their academic journey with confidence and clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions — Auckland Royal Academy

What qualifications do I need to apply? Auckland Royal Academy accepts applications from students who have completed secondary education equivalent to New Zealand NCEA Level 3 for undergraduate programmes, or an undergraduate degree for graduate programmes. Specific entry requirements vary by programme. Full details are available on each programme page of this website or from our admissions team.

Is my country's qualifications accepted? Auckland Royal Academy accepts qualifications from educational systems worldwide, including those in the Arab states, the European Union, South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Pacific. Our admissions team can assess your specific qualifications against New Zealand entry requirements and advise on any bridging study that may be required.

What are the English language requirements? Students from non-English speaking countries are required to demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5. Equivalent results in TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English are also accepted. Students who have completed at least two years of full-time study in English may be exempt — contact our admissions team to confirm.

How do I apply for a New Zealand student visa? Once you have received your unconditional offer of admission and paid your enrolment deposit, Auckland Royal Academy will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) which is required for your student visa application. Our international student services team can advise you on the visa application process and provide supporting documentation as required. Visa processing times vary by country — we recommend beginning the process as soon as you receive your offer.

What student support is available for international students? Auckland Royal Academy provides dedicated international student support including airport pickup coordination, orientation programmes, accommodation assistance, academic advising, personal counselling, health and wellbeing services, career development, and ongoing visa compliance support. Our international student advisers speak multiple languages and understand the specific challenges of studying in a new country.

The cost of education remains a significant financial challenge for many families. Seemingly small increases can add up over decades, especially with several years of static or declining wages.

Tuition fees​​​​​​
If you are a new student from the USA and plan to start your studies in 2021-2022 or later, your tuition fees are likely to be in line with the international rate. Read more about our fees here.

Living Costs
This is your main cost during University. You are best to plan a budget to include accommodation, food, books, clothes, entertainment, travel and bills like electricity and gas.

We estimate that it will cost you $8,500 – $11,000 a year to live and study as an undergraduate at Auckland Royal Academy, but it could be more or less, depending on factors such as your choice of accommodation and your lifestyle.

Additional costs
Some programs also involve additional costs, for example studying abroad or compulsory field courses. You should make sure you are aware of these costs early on in your application process. Check our degree finder for information on any additional costs for your chosen program. You can speak to staff in our admissions offices for more details.

Come to visit our university: 201 S. Grand Ave., 1st Floor, Auckland City, NY 28020. You can also schedule a tour.

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)
It is important to complete the FAFSA each year even if you do not think you will qualify for financial aid. Colleges and universities use the information supplied on the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for grants, scholarships, work-study awards and federal student loans. Submit your FAFSA as early as October 1 and remember that some schools award funds on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. Review Your Student Aid Report (SAR)
Once you complete the FAFSA, the Department of Education will send you a SAR. This report summarizes the information you provided on your FAFSA and estimates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If your EFC is lower than the college’s cost of attendance, you will likely qualify for financial aid.

3. Receive a letter
Receive your acceptance letter from Auckland Royal Academy.

4. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the web
First, set up an FSA User ID and password. If you are a dependent student, a parent will also need to set up an FSA User ID and password. This will be your electronic signature with the Department of Education. For the 2020-2021 FAFSA, you will need 2018 income tax information. If your tax return has already been electronically filed, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when prompted.

5. Receive your financial aid award letter
Receive your financial aid award letter either by mail or by e-mail from Auckland Royal Academy.

6. Accept your awards electronically

7. What to expect during this process
If you have been accepted for admission into Auckland Royal Academy, your financial aid package will come to you in the form of an electronic offer letter. Included in the aid offered could be some combination of grants, scholarships, loans and/or opportunity for student work. Auckland Royal Academy’s FAFSA code is 0001234.

Yes. You will need to submit a separate application in addition to required materials and an application fee for each program you would like to apply to. You will also have to send a separate portfolio, or schedule an audition if required, for each of those applications. If you are accepted to more than one program at Auckland Royal Academy, you will then have to choose one program as your major.

International students at Auckland Royal Academy are not eligible for New Zealand government student loans (which are available to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents only). However, a range of scholarships, bursaries, and flexible payment plans are available specifically for international students. Many students also benefit from financial support programmes offered by their home country governments, employers, or international development organisations. Contact our financial aid office to discuss the options available for your circumstances.

BFA degrees typically take four years to complete, while MFA/MA programs vary from two to three years. The Performer-Composer DMA Program is three years.

The notification period for the admission decision will be approximately March 1 through early April for students that applied by the regular deadline. There may be cases, however, where the decision will come earlier or take longer. We send decision letters out at different times, depending on each program’s review schedule and when required materials for the student’s file are received. There is no significance attached to receiving your notification earlier or later than other students that have applied.