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International FAQ's > International Students
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q1. Who can I ask for help when I am studying at Computer Power Institute?
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q2. What happens on my first day? What is “Orientation”?
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q3. What is different about Computer Power Institute?
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q4. What is the Dress Code on campus?
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q5. What is the “Head Start” Program?
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q6. What is meant by “Variance?”
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q7. Will I have to pay more money if my variance is negative and I run out of study hours?
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q8. What happens if I fail an exam?
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q9. Why do I have to get 60% to pass a module at Computer Power?
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q10. Will I get help finding part time work while I study at Computer Power?
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q11. Will I get help finding work when I graduate?
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a1. Who can I ask for help when I am studying at Computer Power Institute?
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We have dedicated and experienced International Student Services Managers who provide helpful information for all international students (e.g. accommodation, visas, settling in to life in New Zealand).
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a2. What happens on my first day? What is “Orientation”?
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Orientation covers information including:
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Who are the key Institute staff and how they can help
How to make the best use of your time at Computer Power
How the Institute works and rules that you need to be aware of. (Please remember that rules are there to help us ensure that your study program is as useful and enjoyable as possible).
Where to find things in the Institute
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You will receive information on how to live and study successfully in New Zealand (NZ). This will include setting up Bank Accounts, applying for an IRD number (which is required before you can work), unique NZ Customs, and unusual words that you may hear and what they mean, applicable NZ laws, driving in NZ, how to stay safe and many other topics. Asking questions is encouraged in New Zealand and this is a great opportunity to clarify things that you may have been unsure about.
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a3. What is different about Computer Power Institute?
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When you arrive at Computer Power, you will have a “student account” created for you on our IT network. You will “log in” to one of our computers and then you can access all our study materials and request help online.
You study at your work station at the hours that suit you, provided you do a minimum of 20 hours per week. The Instructor staff reside in the same learning area as students so they are easily accessible when you need assistance.
Our proven IT learning model allows you to work at your own learning pace. (There are guidelines for the number of hours to spend on each module). Working at your own pace avoids the problem that can frequently arise with a classroom pace being either too fast or too slow for a student.
Some students will have existing IT knowledge which makes it easier for them to accelerate through their program. These students graduate earlier and can commence working sooner than if they had studied to a fixed timetable. If you have not studied IT before, you may not progress quite as fast as those with IT knowledge, however, you can ask our friendly Instructors for guidance and support whenever you need it.
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a4. What is the Dress Code on campus?
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Our students stand out as being professional individuals working in a professional training environment. All our staff and students embrace our professional casual business wear dress code as a standard.
This is most important so that Computer Power students can present an ‘interview ready’ professional presentation when attending our Campuses. We frequently have client employers and industry people visiting our premises and conducting interviews at short notice.
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a5. What is the “Head Start” Program?
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This program is designed to help International students settle comfortably into the Institute. We recognise that there will be many things that are different in New Zealand to those you have experienced at home and we wish to make you feel confident in your new environment as quickly as possible.
“Head Start” is a five day, Instructor lead introduction to Computer Power Institute. During this time, instead of being out on the training “floor,” you will work in a classroom with a dedicated Instructor. Head Start covers essential study skills that you will need to help you be successful. Early on within this program, you will complete the first three online modules of your program and then be ready to move to the training floor and start to learn more independently.
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a6. What is meant by “Variance?”
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You will hear this word used a lot around the Institute and unless you fully understand what it means it can be scary. It doesn’t need to be.
Every Computer Power course has a total number of hours allocated to it. Within the full course there are many individual modules, each having a specific number of hours allocated to them. These hours have been identified as the average amount of time a student will take to complete. They are there as a guideline to help you manage your studies.
If you take fewer hours to complete a module than the number of hours allocated, your variance figure will be “positive”. Hence the term “positive variance”. If you take more hours to complete the same module, your variance figure will be negative, and so you will have a “negative variance.”
If you have a negative variance, do not panic. It is perfectly normal for your variance figure to change regularly from positive to negative throughout your course. This is because you will naturally find some modules easier than others.
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a7. Will I have to pay more money if my variance is negative and I run out of study hours?
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Not necessarily.
Computer Power Institute will always apply discretion when making decisions in this regard. We want all our students to be successful. If you study hard and attend regularly, there is no reason why you should “run out of hours.” If you do however, the Campus Coordinator will review your situation and may decide to credit you with some extra hours to help you to complete your studies.
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a8. What happens if I fail an exam?
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If you fail an exam, do not panic. You will receive feedback from your Instructor as to what areas you need to focus your revision on. You will then have time to go back and review the topic in preparation for your next exam attempt.
If you pass the exam on the second attempt, some of your hours spent preparing for it will be credited back to you.
If you do not pass on the second attempt, the Campus Coordinator will meet with you to see how best we can help you achieve a positive result and to determine how you are feeling about your course. As a result of this meeting a number of different options are available:
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You may be placed on a Supervised Study Programme (SSP). SSP provides for closer progress monitoring and Instructor support.
You may be counselled to choose another course within the Institute which may not be quite as demanding.
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You will not be withdrawn from the course, just because you fail.
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a9. Why do I have to get 60% to pass a module at Computer Power?
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In your home country, you may be familiar with pass marks being set at 50%. At Computer Power, it is true that students are required to achieve 60%, however they get three chances to achieve this, so it’s not as bad as it sounds!
Actually, many colleges in New Zealand have what is referred as “Competency Based” assessment in which the student is required to achieve everything 100% right. Computer Power graduates gain recognised qualifications and skills to secure an IT job which can lead to Permanent Residency.
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a10. Will I get help finding part time work while I study at Computer Power?
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For many international students finding part time work whilst studying is very important and we are supportive of this. Our Placement Consultants are available to help students with their CV and Cover Letter preparation and help you with the job application process for those selected jobs you wish to apply. Computer Power allows you to choose part time jobs during your study so that you can fit your study around your paid work.
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a11. Will I get help finding work when I graduate?
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All students who graduate from Computer Power qualify for our free employment placement service.
Our Placement Consultants will meet with you to discuss your employment goals.
Computer Power Institute has been operating for over 40 years and we have a data-base of businesses who frequently approach us seeking suitable staff. We match up the requirements of the employer with suitable graduates and prepare the graduates for interview. At this time we will have already worked with you to help you develop your interview skills.
If you are not successful in your first interview attempt, the Careers Consultant will meet with you and discuss the interview with you. We may also approach the business to seek feed-back which may then assist you in your future applications. It is important that you are not discouraged if you do not get the first job you apply for. This is completely normal and part of the job search journey.
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