Achieve Your Goals with Zero Fees at SIT

Free Education – No Tuition Fees, No Limits

At Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), we believe in making quality education accessible to everyone. With our renowned Zero Fees Scheme, students can focus on their studies without worrying about tuition costs. Whether you’re starting a new career or upskilling for your current job, SIT’s Zero Fees offers you a unique opportunity to study and succeed in a wide range of programmes.

No Tuition Fees

Pay only for direct material costs. SIT covers your tuition, allowing you to graduate without hefty student loans.

Wide Range of Programmes

Choose from certificate, diploma, degree, and postgraduate programmes in various fields like: business, IT, nursing, trades, creative industries and many more!

Flexible Study Options

Study on-campus, online, or a combination of both, tailored to your lifestyle.

High-Quality Education

Learn from expert tutors with real-world industry experience. SIT's strong connections with employers ensure your education prepares you for the job market.

How Does the Zero Fees Scheme Work?

The Zero Fees Scheme allows the opportunity to study approved programmes without paying tuition fees. You only need to pay direct material costs. Direct material costs are course specific costs, for example: uniform, texts, tools, activities and NZQA charges. SIT covers the tuition fees, allowing you to access world-class education for minimal expenses. It’s simple – more learning, less financial stress.

Zero-FeesScheme

SIT offers over 200 programmes eligible under the Zero Fees Scheme.

Check out our courses page for a full list.

Scholarships

Who is Eligible for SIT's Zero Fees Scheme?

The Zero Fees Scheme is open to:

  • New Zealand citizens
  • New Zealand residents/permanent residents living in New Zealand during their study
  • Australian citizens residing in New Zealand during their study

Start Your Journey at SIT Today – Zero Fees, Maximum Opportunity

Take the first step towards your future without the burden of tuition fees. Apply Online now for SIT’s Zero Fees Scheme and choose a course that fits your goals and passions.

SIT offers ZERO Tuition Fees for New Zealand domestic students for all years and levels of study. We are the only institute in New Zealand that offers this initiative for its students.

It is a unique system made possible by wide community support. In 2002, Southland community and business funders contributed $7.25 million over the first three years on top of our government funding, and the scheme was so successful that it has been able to continue ever since.

There will still be some direct material costs that you will have to pay for at the time of enrolment, or you will need to arrange a student loan to cover these costs. The material costs for each course can be found on their course pages.

Most programmes SIT offers based in Southland, Queenstown, and those by Distance Learning at all levels are eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

Programmes must be:

  • Tertiary Education Commission funded
  • 12 or more weeks in duration
  • Studied either full time or part time
  • Leading to a national or local qualification.

The Southern Institute of Technology recognises the need for a highly qualified and skilled workforce. The provision of Zero Fees tertiary programmes has enhanced educational opportunities for all students including non-traditional users of tertiary education.

Zero Fees allows New Zealand or Australian citizens or permanent residents the opportunity to study approved programmes without paying the tuition fees.

Zero Fees, where available, applies only to the base tuition fee attached to each programme of study. Particular programmes may incur additional costs to the students, for example: uniform, texts, tools, activities, NZQA charges.

Programmes that are offered under Zero Fees are:

Tertiary Education Commission funded (you must be a New Zealand or Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident to receive Tertiary Education Commission funding). Of twelve or more weeks in duration. Studied either full time or part time. Leading to a national or local qualification. Invercargill/Gore campuses - Zero Fees applies to all approved programmes. SIT2LRN distance programmes - Zero Fees applies to all programmes.

Zero Fees is available as a result of present Government policies. Although not foreseen, SIT is unable to guarantee ongoing Zero Fees provision should for any reason present funding arrangements and/or Government policies be reviewed.

In order to retain Zero Fees, students undertaking a programme of study at Southern Institute of Technology must meet the following criteria:

  • Satisfactory academic progress as defined in the requirements of the course or programme of study.
  • Satisfactory attendance, maintaining at least 80% (or programme specific) attendance. (Not applicable for SIT2LRN programmes).
  • Adherence to the programmes specific rules and requirements.
  • Adherence to the provisions of Southern Institute of Technology Student Code of Conduct.
  • Withdrawal from programmes may affect students’ future entitlement to the Zero Fees.

 If any of the requirements detailed above are not met, the following will apply:

  • In any case of a breach of the terms and conditions, and after due notice, the Zero Fees status may be withdrawn. In this situation, if a student wishes and is eligible to continue in an enrolled programme of study after this has been withdrawn, he/she will than be liable for the programme fees required for the remainder of the academic year.
  • All matters relating to student rights and responsibilities will be handled in accordance with Southern Institute of Technology’s Policies and Procedures, as outlined in student handbooks.

SIT’s refund policy for domestic students is available here.

SIT policy on charging GST to Non-residents undertaking SIT2LRN programmes of study SIT2LRN offer internet platform based training programmes which may attract students based offshore. In order for us to Zero Rate the Fee, we have to ensure that the student is offshore for the whole duration of the paper or programme. SIT is not able to set up a robust system to monitor such an activity and do not consider this our core business. Therefore GST will be charged on all fees unless the student wishes to be specifically designated as an International Student in which case the Zero Fees Scheme will not apply. Should a student wish to enrol as an International Student through SIT2LRN the International Fee will be NZ$100 per credit (GST Zero Rated).