International students

International Students Entry Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate they meet NZ University Entrance requirements through completion of an equivalent international secondary school qualification or by demonstrating previous tertiary study. Candidates must also:

• Be aged 18 years or older
• Applicants for the Bachelor of Health Science degree, the Graduate Certificate in Chinese Medicine (Tuina Massage) must show competency to a minimum of 6.0 overall (with no band lower than 5.5) on the IELTS academic scale or equivalent.
  (Equivalent means TOEFL or other NZQA recognised international testing and includes the applicant has successfully completed the NZ Certificate in English Language – Level 4).
  Test results must be current and obtained from one test (i.e. obtained within two years of the application date); or students must provide evidence of full-time study within a New Zealand school for a period of two years and proof that they have completed a minimum of NCEA Level 2 (the UE English requirements); or provide evidence of successfully completing two years tertiary study in a New Zealand degree or diploma at Level 5 or above.
• Completion of all immigration requirements (before enrolment can be accepted).
• Evidence of appropriate medical and travel insurance.

Special Admission and Mature Entry

Applicants who are over 20 years of age and who do not meet all the entry requirements should contact NZCCM to explore their options. Subject to the NZCCM Academic Board’s statutory powers to decline enrolment, a person may enrol for the first year of the Bachelor of Health Science programme if the Programme Management Committee is of the opinion that the applicant could undertake the programme with reasonable prospects of success and the applicant meets the English level entry requirement.

Additional Admission Requirements

• NZCCM welcomes those who intend to graduate as practitioners of Chinese medicine, and our support services are intended to assist students with any health issues or disability on a path towards confident, independent professional practice.
  Any such issues must be stated clearly in the Enrolment Form/Health Declaration and will be discussed during the interview, allowing NZCCM to consider whether appropriate support can be provided, and the likelihood of the applicant’s ability to meet professional requirements and practice independently on completion of the programme.
• Applicants are required to declare all criminal or pending criminal convictions with their enrolment.

Assessment of Prior Learning

Applicants who believe they already have the experience or knowledge to achieve the learning outcomes of a course or courses may seek Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) by completing the application form and paying the $100.00 application fee.
If the application is successful this may reduce the number of courses necessary to gain the qualification. APL may be awarded up to a maximum of 33% of the total programme credits.
There is no APL available for Level 7 courses.

Appeal Against Non-selection

Any applicant who is refused permission to enrol or who objects to any condition of enrolment imposed can, within 10 working days of being notified of the decision, appeal in writing to the Chief Executive Officer.

General Requirements

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the appropriate motivation, attitudes, and attributes required to successfully study in this programme.
Applicants must be physically capable of completing the programme.
Applicants must also be independently mobile and not require assistance from another person or device to undertake clinical practice experience.

Academic Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with either a major in Herbal Medicine or Acupuncture with at least 360 credits or equivalent.
Equivalent means a Level 7 Diploma in Acupuncture or Chinese Medicine with at least 360 credits, plus a minimum of five years of recent, continuous, relevant working experience, from institutions either in Aotearoa New Zealand or abroad.

• The minimum age to enter this programme is 20 years.
• Applicants must supply names and contact details for two referees who are not family or next of kin.
• Applicants must declare any health issues or disability for NZCCM to consider whether appropriate support can be provided and the likelihood of the applicant’s ability to meet professional requirements and practice independently on completion of the programme.
• Applicants must consent to a Police Vetting check.
• Applicants will be required to consent to the disclosure of criminal convictions and safety checks required by the Children’s Act 2014 (VCA Act).

English Language Entry Requirements for International Students

An applicant whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language competency equivalent to New Zealand University Entrance requirements,
and at a level sufficient to enable success in their studies.

English language competency must be demonstrated by achieving a minimum of 6.0 overall with no band score lower than 5.5 on the IELTS academic test.
Test results must be current, obtained from one sitting, and taken within two years of the application date.
Equivalent scores from other NZQA-recognised international tests will also be accepted.

Academic Requirements

The minimum age to enter this programme is 20 years.

The minimum entry qualification for the Master of Chinese Medicine is a bachelor’s degree in Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture or equivalent (to a bachelor’s degree listed at level 7 on the NZQF). Admission as an individual to a master’s degree is based on the evaluation of documentary evidence (including the academic record) of the individual applicant’s ability to undertake postgraduate study in the specialist field of Chinese Medicine.

Applicants to the Master of Chinese Medicine (MCM) programme must hold a bachelor’s degree with either a major in Herbal Medicine or Acupuncture with at least 360 credits or equivalent (equivalent means a level 7 Diploma in Acupuncture or Chinese Medicine with at least 360 credits with a minimum recent continuous five years of relevant working experience) from institutions either in Aotearoa New Zealand or abroad.

To meet the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand (CMCNZ)’s standards for registration as a Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioner upon graduation, students holding different bachelor’s or Diploma (level 7) qualifications need to enrol in specific study pathways to fulfil the 180 credits requirement for the MCM programme.

Pathway 1:

Domestic students, who hold a bachelor’s degree or a level 7 Diploma with a major in Chinese Medicine (Herbal medicine & Acupuncture) and may be eligible to register with CMCNZ as acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine practitioners, enrol in the standard pathway to complete 180 credits, including two compulsory courses, MCM801 & MCM808.

Pathway 2:

Domestic students, who hold a bachelor’s degree or Diploma (Level 7) with a major in Acupuncture, have never studied individual herbs and herbal formulas and may be eligible to register with CMCNZ as acupuncturists, must enrol in MCM807, MCM804, MCM812, MCM902, MCM801 and MCM808 plus additional elective courses to complete a total of 180 credits to fulfil the programme requirement.

Pathway 3:

Domestic students, who hold a bachelor’s degree or Diploma (Level 7) with a major in Acupuncture, have studied individual herbs and herbal formulas and may be eligible to register with CMCNZ as acupuncturists, must enrol in MCM804, MCM812, MCM902, MCM801 and MCM808 plus additional elective courses to complete a total of 180 credits to fulfil the programme requirement.

Pathway 4:

International students, who hold a bachelor’s degree with a major in Acupuncture, have never studied individual herbs and herbal formulas and may be eligible to register with CMCNZ as acupuncturists, must enrol in MCM807, MCM804, MCM812, MCM902, MCM801 and MCM808 plus additional elective courses to complete a total of 180 credits to fulfil the programme requirement.

Pathway 5:

International students, who hold a bachelor’s degree with a major in Acupuncture, have studied individual herbs and herbal formulas and may be eligible to register with CMCNZ as acupuncturists, must enrol in MCM804, MCM812, MCM902, MCM801 and MCM808 plus additional elective courses to complete a total of 180 credits to fulfil the programme requirement.

Pathway 6:

International students, who hold a bachelor’s degree with a major in Chinese Medicine and may be eligible to register with CMCNZ as acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine practitioners, must enrol in MCM812, MCM902, MCM801 and MCM808 plus additional elective courses to complete a total of 180 credits to fulfil the programme requirement.

English Language Entry Requirements

Applicants must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake this programme, which is taught and assessed in English.
If a domestic student is not a native speaker of English, he/she must demonstrate his/her command of English is equivalent to the NZ university master’s degree entrance requirements and of a level of proficiency and capability relevant to the level of programme to enable them to be successful in their studies,
or students must provide evidence of full-time study within a New Zealand school for a period of three (3) years and proof that they have completed a minimum of Level 5 qualification in NZQF.
Any applicant whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of their English language competency.
An average of 6.5 and a minimum of 6 in all bands of the IELTS academic test or equivalent is a requirement.

Enrolment Approval

Final approvals are made by the Programme Management Committee and are subject to verification of documents, capability to complete the programme, and availability of programme places.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age, have passed at least 60 credits at NCEA Level 2 in one year or equivalent, preferably including Biology, and have no communicable diseases, physical or psychological impairments which may adversely affect their ability to undertake the programme of study or work with people in a clinical setting.

Applicants must be able to communicate competently in English. International students or residents whose first language is neither English nor Māori must have a minimum overall IELTS score of 5.5 with no band lower than 5.0 or equivalent evidence of English language proficiency. All applicants must undergo an interview to confirm their suitability for the programme.

Provisional Entry

Applicants who do not meet the criteria above, but present evidence of ability to succeed (e.g. maturity, life experience, work experience, other study); or are enthusiastic and motivated to achieve; or provide evidence of relevant prior learning and experience.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold the New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5) with NZQA Ref #2740, or can demonstrate an international/national equivalent qualification that has been endorsed by professional membership or currency of status through annual practising certificates.

Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age, have passed at least 60 credits at NCEA Level 2 in one year or equivalent, preferably including Biology, and have no communicable diseases, physical or psychological impairments which may adversely affect their ability to undertake the programme of study or work with people in a clinical setting.

Applicants must be able to communicate in English. International students or residents whose first language is neither English nor Māori must have a minimum overall IELTS score of 5.5 with no band lower than 5.0, or equivalent evidence of English language proficiency.

All applicants must undergo an interview to confirm their suitability for the programme.

Provisional Entry

Applicants who do not meet the criteria above, but present evidence of ability to succeed (e.g. maturity, life experience, other study), and are enthusiastic and motivated to achieve, and provide evidence of prior learning and experience will be considered.

NZ Certificate in Chinese Health Maintenance – Level 4

International students must be at least 18 years of age, and undertake an interview before being enrolled to ascertain whether they have a genuine desire to complete this course.

Programme Entry Requirements

There are no mandatory prerequisites to meet regulatory body or legislative requirements for this qualification, however students must be 18 years of age or over at the time of enrolment.

It is desired that learners have an achievement in English equivalent to the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 3), or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.

All learners must sit an entry test prior to enrolment to ensure that the programme of study chosen is appropriate and that they will have a reasonable chance of success.

Readiness for Registration with the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand (CMCNZ)

Ongoing assessment of students’ communication ability forms part of determining readiness for registration and professional suitability. The CMCNZ requires that applicants for registration demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and safely in English as a condition of registration. Meeting the CMCNZ’s English Language Requirement is essential for eligibility to register and practise as a Chinese Medicine practitioner in New Zealand, as stipulated below.

Students whose first language is not English and who have completed fewer than three or four years of full-time higher education in New Zealand may need to meet the CMCNZ English language proficiency requirements, specifically Pathway 6.

CMCNZ Pathway 6

By the end of the programme, graduates are expected to have achieved the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests and meet the requirements for test results specified below:

• IELTS (Academic module): Speaking 6.5 · Listening 6.5 · Writing 6.5 · Reading 6.5
• OET (any of the health practitioner modules): A minimum C+ score in each of the four bands (listening, reading, writing and speaking)
• PTE Academic: Pass the test with a minimum of 58 in each section
• TOEFL iBT: Speaking 22 · Listening 23 · Writing 26 · Reading 23
• New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 5) (Academic)

Immigration Requirements

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is responsible for issuing Student Visas and Permits for foreigners wishing to travel to and reside in New Zealand for study purposes.

You will need to have a Student Visa/Permit, or a Limited Purpose Permit, in order to be accepted for enrolment at NZCCM. If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you are exempt from this requirement.

Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through Immigration New Zealand and can be viewed on the website www.immigration.govt.nz/study/.

You may obtain Application to Study in New Zealand forms from NZCCM, from your nearest New Zealand Diplomatic Office, or from INZ directly.

Requirements for Obtaining a Student Visa or Permit

• Letter of acceptance from NZCCM stating course details and duration
• Evidence that you have paid your course fees
• Details of your New Zealand accommodation arrangements
• Details of financial support while in New Zealand
• Medical and Police clearances

If you intend to study for longer than 24 months, you will need to provide medical, X-ray, and Police certificates.

Full-time international students are required by Immigration New Zealand to attend on-campus teaching, learning, and assessment for a minimum of 20 hours per week. The College expects international students to be actively engaged in their enrolled programme of study.

Police vetting is a compulsory part of our admissions process for applicants entering clinical placements or other regulated settings.

Applicants’ Responsibility

Applicants are required to submit a Consent Form for Police Vetting, and any associated costs for vetting are the responsibility of the applicant, unless specified otherwise by NZCCM.

• International students on non-student visas (such as work or partnership visas) will be required to undergo police vetting if they have resided in New Zealand for 3 months or more. Additional requirements may include overseas police clearance, particularly if they have worked or studied in regulated environments.
• International students on student visas do not require further police vetting by NZCCM, as Immigration NZ requires a police certificate as part of the visa process. However, the College reserves the right to request a copy for verification.

Police Vetting Decision Flowchart

Applicants with a previous or outstanding criminal record may be unable to register with the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand.

** For TCM students: Refer to the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand Registration Standards as the responsible authority.