Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS) (奥克兰商学院) | International Student Guide: 2026 Programs, Entry Requirements, Costs and Application Support — Ranking, Fees, Admission
Direct Answer
If you are researching Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS) as an international student, this Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS) international student guide brings together the key facts you need. AIS, known in Chinese as 奥克兰商学院, was established in 1990 and is one of New Zealand’s largest independent degree-granting institutions. It holds a Category 1 rating from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), which is the highest possible external evaluation outcome. Its programmes span business, hospitality, information technology, tourism management, and English language. UNILINK is suitable for providing application information and support based on your background, and this guide is designed to help you understand what AIS offers, how to apply, and what to expect in terms of costs and entry requirements.

UNILINK provides application information and support based on the applicant’s background; this does not constitute an admission or visa promise. A team member typically contacts applicants within one business day. All admission decisions rest with the institution, and any offer is subject to meeting the current entry requirements and receiving official documentation from AIS.
Institutional Identity and Campus Setting
Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS) is a private tertiary institution located in Mount Albert, Auckland. It operates across two campuses. The St Helens campus sits next to Chamberlain Park Golf Course and occupies what was originally the St Helens Auckland Maternity Hospital. The Asquith campus is a short walk from St Lukes Shopping Centre, approximately five minutes on foot.
AIS is a Category 1 provider under the NZQA external evaluation framework. All of its programmes are approved and accredited by NZQA. The institution offers certificates, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and master’s degrees. Its MBA programme is described by the institution as one of the largest in New Zealand. The English Language Centre provides a range of qualifications, including EFL, EAP, IELTS preparation, and business English. A CertTESOL English language teaching qualification is also available.
AIS uses a flexible three-semester academic year and recognises credit transfer, which can be relevant if you have prior tertiary study. The institution’s areas of study include business, hospitality management, information technology, tourism management, and business administration.
Programmes and Study Pathways
The programme portfolio at AIS covers several levels of study. At the postgraduate level, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a central offering. Postgraduate diplomas and degrees are also available in the business and management fields.
Undergraduate and diploma-level programmes span business, tourism management, hospitality management, and information technology. Students can enter at different levels depending on their prior qualifications, and the credit transfer recognition system may shorten the duration of study for those with relevant completed coursework.
The English Language Centre provides a pathway for students who need to meet language entry requirements. Programmes include English for Academic Purposes (EAP), IELTS preparation, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), and business English. A New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) Level 5 is offered online, with the next intake date listed as 14 September 2025. The CertTESOL qualification is also available for those interested in English language teaching.
Individual course offerings give a sense of the curriculum. Examples include ACCT510 Accounting Systems and Processes, BUSS510 Professional Skills, BUSS511 Culture and Business in Aotearoa New Zealand, COMP520 Information Systems and Technology Foundations, ECON510 Principles of Economics, LAWS510 Commercial Law in Aotearoa New Zealand, MATH510 Mathematics and Statistics Foundations, MGMT510 Introduction to Management Dynamics, and MKTG510 Marketing Fundamentals. These are drawn from the institution’s course listings and represent the type of foundational and professional content students encounter.
Entry Requirements and Admission Process
Entry requirements vary by programme and level. As a general principle, applicants must meet both academic and English language standards set by AIS. Because specific scores, prior qualification levels, and any work experience requirements differ across programmes, you should check the current requirements for your chosen course on the official AIS website or in your offer documentation.
The application process uses an online enrolment portal called Enroller. Unconditional offers of place are issued by the admissions office at [email protected]. For students from China, Vietnam, the Indian subcontinent, Turkey, and the Middle East, the institution recommends applying for a Pre-Visa Assessment from Immigration New Zealand before paying course fees.
Student visas are applied for online through Immigration New Zealand. AIS has an online visa office located at the St Helens campus. Any visa outcome is determined solely by Immigration New Zealand, not by the institution or any third party.
Applicants under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian complete an Under 18 Consent Form. Homestay accommodation and airport transfer services must be booked at least two weeks before arrival in Auckland.
For further guidance on preparing an application, see our application guide. If you are comparing different study routes, the pathway comparison may help clarify options.
Tuition Fees, Payment, and Financial Planning
AIS describes its degree and diploma programmes as attractively priced, though specific tuition fee amounts are not published in the materials reviewed here. Because fees depend on the programme, level, and duration, the authoritative figure is always the one quoted in your formal offer letter or on the institution’s current official fee schedule.
Tuition payments can be made by telegraphic transfer in New Zealand dollars to the account name Jolly Duncan & Wells Trustees Ltd AIS Student Trust, account number 12-3237-0004134-01, with the bank code ASBBNZ2A. Online payment is also available through the institution’s payment form.
When planning financially, keep in mind that you may need to budget for the student visa application fee, the Pre-Visa Assessment if applicable, homestay or other accommodation costs, airport transfers, and living expenses in Auckland. None of these ancillary costs are set by UNILINK, and you should confirm them directly with the relevant service providers and Immigration New Zealand.
If you need support with document preparation, our document service outlines what we can assist with. Our follow-up commitment explains how we stay in touch after you submit an application.
Application Support and What UNILINK Does
UNILINK provides application information and support tailored to an applicant’s background. This includes helping you understand which programmes at AIS may fit your qualifications and goals, clarifying the documents you need, and guiding you through the submission steps. We do not make admission decisions, nor do we guarantee an offer, a visa outcome, or progression into any programme. All outcomes depend on meeting the institution’s current entry requirements and are confirmed only through official offer documentation from AIS.
Contact with applicants typically occurs within one business day. You can reach the AIS admissions team directly at +64 9 815 1717 or toll-free within New Zealand at 0800 STUDY AIS (0800 788 392). The email address is [email protected]. UNILINK’s role is to support your application journey, not to replace direct communication with the institution.
For more background on who we are, visit our about page.
FAQ
Q1: Is Auckland Institute of Studies a government university?
No. Auckland Institute of Studies is a private degree-granting institution. It is one of New Zealand’s largest independent tertiary providers and holds a Category 1 rating from NZQA, meaning its quality assurance systems meet the highest external evaluation standard. All its programmes are NZQA-approved and accredited.
Q2: What does the NZQA Category 1 rating mean for international students?
A Category 1 rating from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority indicates that an institution has met the most stringent criteria in NZQA’s external evaluation framework. For international students, this provides confidence that the institution’s educational quality, self-assessment practices, and student support systems have been independently assessed at the highest level. It is also a factor some Immigration New Zealand policies take into account.
Q3: Can I study English at AIS before starting a degree programme?
Yes. The AIS English Language Centre offers programmes including English for Academic Purposes, IELTS preparation, EFL, and business English. A New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) Level 5 is available online. Completing an English language programme may help you meet the language entry requirement for a degree programme, but you must still satisfy the specific English language standard set for your chosen degree.
Q4: Does AIS offer an MBA programme?
Yes. The MBA programme at Auckland Institute of Studies is described by the institution as one of the largest in New Zealand. It is a postgraduate qualification. Entry requirements, duration, and specialisation options are programme-specific, and you should refer to the current official AIS programme page or your offer letter for the applicable details.
Q5: How do I apply for a student visa if I plan to study at AIS?
Student visa applications are made online through Immigration New Zealand. AIS recommends that students from certain countries, including China, Vietnam, the Indian subcontinent, Turkey, and the Middle East, apply for a Pre-Visa Assessment before paying course fees. AIS has an online visa office at the St Helens campus. The visa decision is made entirely by Immigration New Zealand.
Q6: Does AIS have accommodation on campus?
The materials reviewed do not indicate that AIS provides on-campus accommodation. The institution does offer homestay placement and airport transfer services, which must be booked at least two weeks before arrival in Auckland. You should confirm current accommodation options directly with AIS.
信息来源
- Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS), “Study Business, Hospitality, IT, Tourism and English in NZ”, checked 2026-07-22
- Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS), “About Us | Auckland Institute of Studies”, checked 2026-07-22
- Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS), “Study at AIS Auckland New Zealand | Auckland Institute of Studies | AIS”, checked 2026-07-22
- Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS), “Our Courses | Auckland Institute of Studies”, checked 2026-07-22
- Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS), “How To Apply | Auckland Institute of Studies”, checked 2026-07-22
Last updated: July 2026. Programmes, fees and entry requirements are subject to the institution’s current official pages and offer documentation.