STUDY PERFORMING ARTS IN NEW ZEALAND

At EXCEL School Of Performing Arts we offer a range of certificates, diplomas, pathways and programs for international students who want to come to Auckland, New Zealand to study. Please follow the steps below to audition and apply to study music, dance or drama in New Zealand.


Step 1.  Student makes contact


Step 2.  Book Audition

An audition time is booked if you are in New Zealand, otherwise you will need to prepare a video audition.
Please read our video audition requirements here.


Step 3.  Audition process

Email a link to your video to info@excel.ac.nz. An audition panel assesses whether a place will be offered to you based on your performance ability and English language proficiency. English language proficiency is based on meeting one or more of the criteria accepted by NZQA for the level of study. eg IELTS 5.5 for a Level 4 Certificate. (For further information go to the Appendix on the NZQA website https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/rules-fees-policies/nzqa-rules/approval-recognition-and-accreditation/#e10518_heading1)

There are a number of requirements for a video audition that will help us make a fair assessment of your abilities. 

Video audition requirements are as follows:

  • For your chosen major subject, you will need to perform two pieces of contrasting styles that are each approximately two minutes in length.

  • If you chose a minor subject (e.g. music, drama, dance etc) – you will also need to perform one piece for around two minutes.

  • Interview process: Please talk to us about yourself for a least two minutes in English and tell us what experience you’ve had and any additional information you feel is relevant to your application.  You can include in your video audition any performance footage you may have done. If this footage is of you performing with a number of people, please be sure to identify which person is you.

We ask that your video audition does not exceed 15 minutes.

Please enclose with your video audition a recent photograph and if not done so already a completed audition form.

The minimum age for entry is 18. In the audition, we are looking for evidence of previous experience or training and that the applicant has sufficient skill and talent to cope with the demands of the course. All applicants are notified by mail or e-mail of their acceptance or otherwise into the course.

If you require any additional information, please email us at info@excel.ac.nz or call +64 9 827 7327.


Step 4.  Offer of Place

If successful in your audition we will send you an official letter offering you a place in the school.
This letter contains the following information:

  • The name of the course and the minimum time required for completing it

  • Proof that the course and the course provider meet New Zealand’s requirements for international students

  • The amount of the fee for the complete course

  • Whether you have to pay course fees and whether the fees are domestic or foreign fees

  • Whether you are studying full time or part time

  • That the course is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority

This letter is on letterhead and can be used later to apply for a Student Visa.

Along with this “Offer of Place” you are sent the information pack and the enrolment form.

The Information pack contains information about:

  • Support services

  • Grievance procedures

  • Withdrawal procedures

  • Details of the student fee protection and refunds policy

  • Arrangements for recognition of prior learning

  • Credit transfer processes


Step 5.  Acceptance of Place

You then need to confirm that you want to accept the offer of a place at the school.
This can be by email to info@excel.ac.nz


Step 6  Fee Payment

Once you accept your place you must pay the fees. You cannot be enrolled until you have a valid student visa and the New Zealand government requires that fees are paid in advance before a visa can be issued. The account number is 02 - 0152 - 0112511 - 00

Once you have made the fees payment, an official payment letter will be sent to you. This letter will assist with applying for a Student Visa/Permit.

Refund of fees (less 10%) is payable if

  • you fail to obtain a study visa

  • you voluntarily withdraw from study

  • EXCEL ceases to offer the programme

  • EXCEL ceases to be a signatory or

  • EXCEL ceases to be a provider

Refunds will be paid to the learner or their parent/ guardian or transferred to another signatory/ provider


Step 7.  Applying for Student Visa/Permit

As the course is longer than 3 months you must apply for a Student Visa. These forms can be downloaded from the New Zealand Immigration website (look for the Student visa/Permit Application Forms http://www.immigration.govt.nz/


Step 8.  Complete Enrolment Process

You can complete the enrolment form and send this to Excel which will proceed to begin the enrolment process.  We will complete the process when the Visa/Permit is sighted in the passport.

You should proceed to obtain appropriate medical and travel insurance for your journey to New Zealand and must also organise your own accommodation.


Step 9. On the first day of school, please bring:

Your passport to verify that you have received your student visa.

  • Your parent/next of kin information if it has not already been supplied on your enrolment form.