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FAQs

• About SIT
• Fees
• Faculties
• Programmes
• Services and Support
• How do I enrol?
• Contact
• FAQs
• SIT Homepage

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What resources do I have access to?
2. How do I get my ID card?
3. How do I find my textbooks?
4. What kind of programmes do you have?
5. What is the criteria for entry?
6. Can I cross credit points?
7. Do SIT qualifications match up to other tertiary institutes around New Zealand?
8. What scholarships are available to SIT students?
9. What kind of accommodation is available in Invercargill?
10. What kind of Student Support does SIT have?
11. Do I need access to SKY TV?
12. How do I get a student ID card?
13. How do SIT2LRN programmes work?

1. How do I apply?
2. Do I need a computer and internet access?
3. Do I need access to SKY TV?
4. Are there any costs involved?
5. How do SIT2LRN programmes work?
6. What is Blackboard?
7. What is Webmail?
8. Who should I contact if I have any questions about my programme of study and how can I get in touch with them?
9. Can I study part-time?
10. If I study part-time do I need to adhere to due dates or can I complete assessments in my own time?
11. If I am living overseas can I study with SIT2LRN?
12. I have sent in my application, now what?
13. How do I apply? Can I apply online?
14. I have sent in my application form, now what?
15. Can I apply to start study anytime?
16. Can I study more than one course at a time?
17. Can I study part-time?
18. How do I select part-time study when applying?
19. I'm currently studying with SIT2LRN, so will I automatically be enrolled in further study for my course and/or further intakes that I haven't requested?
20. If I am living overseas can I study with SIT2LRN?
21. If I am living overseas can I still qualify for Zero Fees Scheme?
22. I'm a current or previous SIT/SIT2LRN student applying for further study in a new intake/year - do I need to complete the whole application form again and resend my verified identification?
23. Are there any other study costs involved?
24. When are Student Direct Material Costs due?
25. Do I have to send payment for Student Direct Material Costs with my application?
    How can I pay my Student Direct Material Costs?
26. I withdrew from my study; can I get a refund/credit for the Student Direct Material Costs?
27. Are your courses approved by Studylink?
28. Can I get a Student Allowance?
29. Can I get a Student Loan?
30. Do I need a computer and internet access?
31. What are the Hardware and Software Requirements? UP TO DATE?
32. What is Blackboard?
33. What is Webmail?
34. What will I get when I complete my course?
35. If I study part-time do I need to adhere to due dates or can I complete assessments in my own time?
36. Can I take as long as I want to complete and submit my assessments?

Invercargill FAQs

Every student at SIT is assigned a free email account. This account is accessed through the webmail access page. There are computer labs situated at different places around the campus and your ID will gain you access to this resource. ID cards are assigned at the start of the new semester otherwise they are available at various times through out the semester. Students can contact Facilities to produce their individual cards. It is important to obtain your ID card as they give you access to important facilities around SIT and can get you some much needed discount from various places around Invercargill. Your textbook list will be given to you at the start of your course and are available to purchase from Tall Poppy book shop located across the road from the main campus. SIT students also have the opportunity to use the large collection of resources located at the SIT Library on the main campus, there is a range of services here at your disposal from on line journals to industry released magazines. A full list of programmes can be found under our programme section of the website. Application criteria is dependent upon which programme you choose. It is specified for each programme individually. View programmes SIT recognises the need to avoid repetition that is why we have a recognition of prior learning unit set up. It will give the opportunity to assess students previous studies, and may help to transfer credits or cross credits points that are from papers that are similar in content level and credit value. SIT is an accredited provider of New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) approved programmes. All accredited providers throughout New Zealand must meet these standards and therefore all programmes at SIT are nationally recognised as valid and official qualifications. A full list of scholarships can be found under our scholarship section of the website. A list of SIT accommodation can be found under our accommodation section of the website. A list of student support services can be found under our services and support section of the website. No, you do not need access to SKY TV to complete your programme. The SIT2LRN programming that screens daily on SKY Digital Channel 110 is supplementary to your programme materials You need to send the following to SIT Administration:
1. A clear head and shoulder photograph AND
2. A copy of your Photo Driver's License/Passport (unverified is ok)
3. Payment for $10 (Or $25 If a student wishes to use the on-site computer labs at Invercargill)
Send your ID Request, Payment Details and information, as above, to: Facilities Department
Southern Institute of Technology
Private Bag 90114
Invercargill 9840 Once you have been accepted on to a programme, if you are undertaking your first ever study with SIT2LRN, you will receive a SIT2LRN Welcome Kit with student information, including Textbook, Library, Bookshop, Blackboard and general study information.

During the week prior to your course intake/s starting, you will be sent a ‘Time to get started letter'. This is a reminder to prepare for your upcoming study, and has information of what to do next. Page 3 of this letter is your Study Schedule.
Some courses have all their course materials online, whilst some courses may have materials sent out by mail with these letters.
On your Study Schedule you can see if you course materials are online or in hardcopy, and also find the email address/es for your course facilitator/s.

From the intake start date you then work through the materials and assessments.

Intake study calendars outlining what should be covered each week are either posted on Blackboard or contained in your programme materials.

Assignment information and due dates are posted on Blackboard.

Assignments and assessments must usually be submitted to your Facilitator via email. There are some exceptions where the facilitator will request your assessment by mail, for example - some Computing Studies & Interior Décor assessments.

SIT2LRN Flexible Delivery FAQs

Simply phone 0800 SIT2LRN and request an application form and a distance education information pack be sent to you. Or download an application form for here. Yes, you must have access to the internet and a computer. All communications between facilitators and students are via email or the internet based Blackboard Learning Management System.



Hardware Requirements

Mac: G3, 800x600 monitor 񡺀x768 recommended), 28k modem ࿘k recommended) or greater

PC: 200Mhz+ processor, 800x600 monitor 񡺀x768 recommended), 28k modem ࿘k recommended) or greater



Mac Users

Mac OS 10.3.5+ & Safari/Firefox



PC Users

Win 2000/XP + & IE 6.0 or Firefox 1 + No, you do not need access to SKY TV to complete your programme. The SIT2LRN programming that screens daily on SKY Digital Channel 110 is supplementary to your programme materials. You do not pay tuition fees, BUT you do pay for programme materials. While the Zero Fee Scheme covers tuition fees, a programme materials fee is payable for some distance programmes.

This programme materials fee covers production of materials, postage and packaging. It is a set fee charged per paper/module. There may also be required textbooks that you'll need to buy while studying with SIT2LRN. Once you have been accepted on to a programme you will be sent all your materials prior to the programme start date.

You will receive a letter with your programme materials and the contact details of your programme facilitator. SIT2LRN will also include your Blackboard and Webmail username and password.

From the programme start date you then work through the materials.

Semester study calendars outlining what should be covered each week are either posted on Blackboard or contained in your programme materials.

Assignment information and due dates are posted on Blackboard.

All assignments and assessments must be submitted to your Facilitator via email. Blackboard is the Learning Management System; http://blackboard.sit.ac.nz that SIT2LRN uses to make information available to students.

Information that your facilitator will place on the Blackboard site may include:

Facilitator contact details
Programme announcements
Assignments and assessment details
Programme information which is supplementary to your printed student materials
Study and writing tips

It is important that you log in to Blackboard and check your programme information regularly.

If you have a question, you can post it on the Blackboard Discussion board. Questions are answered by your facilitator, SIT2LRN staff or other students. Each student is assigned a free email account by SIT. This account is accessed through the webmail website http://webmail.sit.ac.nz. It is best if you use your webmail account for all of your SIT2LRN communications.

If you choose not to use the webmail account assigned to you please advise your facilitator of your alternative email address. If you have any questions about your programme of study you should contact your facilitator. Contact details for your facilitator are located within Blackboard under Staff Information. Yes, all distance programmes can be completed on a part-time basis. All SIT2LRN programme assessments have due dates which need to be met. The same dates apply to part-time students as well as full-time students. Provided you are a New Zealand Citizen you can undertake study with SIT2LRN from anywhere in the world. 1) You will receive a letter acknowledging that your application has been received.

2) Once your application has been processed you will receive notification from SIT. If you have been accepted onto the programme you must either accept or decline your place on the programme and return the Enrolment Contract to SIT administration.

3)Your enrolment is now complete and we will send you your programme materials prior to your programme start date. Step 1: You may download the specific SIT2LRN programme application form from the SIT Website.
Alternatively contact the SIT Marketing Department and request an application form be mailed to you
Phone: 0800 748 257 then choose Option 1, or Email: info@sit.ac.nz

Step 2: Complete the application form
Note: First time SIT Students must also supply proof of prior study, and a verified copy of either their Passport (including NZ Residence Permit if applicable) or NZ Birth Certificate.
For verification copies must be stamped and signed by one of the following: Justice of the Peace, Court Registrar, School Principal, Duty Police Officer, High Court Solicitor, Notary Public

Step 3: Submit your application (and supporting documentation if required) to SIT2LRN
either by mail to: SIT2LRN Enrolments
Private Bag 90114
Invercargill, 9840
Or scan and email to: sit2lrn@sit.ac.nz 1. Once it is received by SIT2LRN it will be processed ASAP.
2 A. If your application is complete and correct (including any required documentation), it will be entered in the system, then sent directly to the SIT2LRN/Programme Manager for a decision on whether your application can be accepted.
2 B. If your application is incomplete or incorrect (or missing required documentation), a SIT2LRN enrolments officer will attempt to contact you ASAP to follow up on these details with you. Once the application is complete and correct, it can then go to the SIT2LRN Manager for a decision on whether your application can be accepted.
3 A. If your application is accepted, you will be sent a confirmation of acceptance letter
3 B. If your application is declined you will be contacted by SIT2LRN staff with notification. Enrolments for each calendar year typically open in October of the previous year. Applications must be received by SIT2LRN no later than 20 working days (approximately 4 weeks) prior to the start of the intake applying for. However, it is recommended students apply early to avoid delays during or near deadline periods, and be sure that they don't miss out if courses/intakes/Zero Fees Scheme places fill up quickly. You may apply for more than one course at a time, as long as both courses are to be studied part time and the total of your enrolment is within the limit allowed. However, it is recommended that students wanting to complete more than one course study and complete one course, then move on to the next one they want to do. Yes, all distance programmes may be completed on a part-time basis On the last page of each SIT2LRN application form the individual unit/s or paper/s for the course are listed, along with the available intakes for each calendar year.
Students select just the unit/s or paper/s that they want to complete in each intake that they wish to enrol in for that year, and arrange their part time study by spreading their selections over several intakes. No. You must apply for any paper/s, unit/s, intake/s that you wish to study Yes, just note regular internet and computer access is still needed, and that you may need to allow extra time for postal delays with overseas mailing times. Yes, but only if you are a NZ Citizen. NZ Residents must be residing in NZ throughout their enrolment to qualify for Zero Fees. You won't need to resend your verified identification as we keep that information on file. (However, if you have had a name change, or update to your residency/citizenship you should submit your new verified identification to show this change).
You will need to complete the first page of the application form, read and sign the declaration on the form, and most importantly - complete the last page where you will select the unit/module/papers you wish to study and note in which intake/s you wish to study them. You'll also need to note your intended payment method for the Student Direct Material Costs. Yes. Whilst the Zero Fee Scheme covers tuition fees for those who are eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme, students should consider the following additional study costs:
All courses: * Student Direct Material Cost - currently $5 per credit enrolled in
* The need for computer and internet access
* Your own personal stationery etc
Some courses: * Required text books (Also available for loan through SIT Library by mail)
* Specific software and/or equipment requirements for some courses (eg - Diploma in Digital Film, Computing courses)
* If your course is a National Certificate or Diploma from the NZQA, once you have completed, you may then apply directly to the NZQA for the National Certificate or Diploma.
The NZQA currently charge $15 for these They are due on the start date of each intake enrolled in - for just the paper/s or unit/s that you have enrolled in for that intake No, but you do need to note your intended payment method on your enrolment/application form
Once students are accepted into study and enrolled, they are then sent a confirmation of acceptance letter (and invoice if they didn't submit payment with their application form).
Current payment options to select are: Student Loan, Credit Card, Cheque, Direct Debit Yes, but only if your withdrawal was requested in writing and received by SIT2LRN Administration more than 14 days prior to the start date of the intake/s withdrawing from Yes, all SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink, but you will need to check with Studylink whether you are personally eligible for a Student Allowance whilst studying. Usually students must be studying full time to qualify for an allowance. Full time study requires approximately 38 - 40 hours per week of study time. SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink, but you will need to check with Studylink whether you are eligible for a student loan whilst studying.
If you are studying as a part time student, Studylink may also require you to be enrolled for a set length of time to qualify for a Student Loan. Yes, you must have access to the internet and a computer. All communications between facilitators and students are via email or the internet based Blackboard Learning Management System. PC: 200Mhz+ processor, 800x600 monitor ��x768 recommended), 28k modem ࿘k recommended) or greater
Win 2000/XP + & IE 6.0 or Firefox 1 +

Mac Users
Mac: G3, 800x600 monitor ��x768 recommended), 28k modem ࿘k recommended) or greater
Mac OS 10.3.5+ & Safari/Firefox Blackboard is the Learning Management System; http://blackboard.sit.ac.nz that SIT2LRN uses to make information available to students.
Information that your facilitator will place on the Blackboard site may include:
Facilitator contact details, programme announcements, assignment and assessment details
course information which is supplementary to or an alternative to printed student materials, Study tips etc.
It is important that you log in to Blackboard and check your programme information regularly.
If you have a question, you can post it on the Blackboard Discussion board. Questions are answered by your facilitator, SIT2LRN staff or other students. Each student is assigned a free email account by SIT. This account is accessed through the webmail website http://webmail.sit.ac.nz. It is best if you use your webmail account for all of your SIT2LRN communications.
If you choose not to use the webmail account assigned to you please advise your facilitator of your alternative email address. All students are sent an official SIT student transcript for each intake of study that they complete. This shows the topics/units/papers studied, and the students results for each one. Transcripts are sent out ASAP after an intake ends, and typically arrive 6 - 8 weeks after the end date of the intake.

Once students complete an SIT Certificate these are also sent out with the final transcript
Students completing Diploma level study are sent a programme completion letter and graduation ceremony information, in case they wish to attend graduation.
Students completing a National Certificate or National Diploma are sent the NZQA application form for these, along with their final transcript from SIT. Most SIT2LRN programme assessments have due dates which need to be met. Part time students should select fewer papers/units per intake. There are set due dates for assessments, and these are listed on the online Blackboard for your course.