Guide to Enrolment for Distance Students

The University of Otago uses eVision for enrolment and paying fees which are completed online.

Log in to eVision

Before enrolment

Before you begin the enrolment process, think about:

• What you would like to study – subject area, qualification etc.
• How you would like to approach your study, re time management and work-life balance.
• What you want to achieve when you reach the end.
• How you're going to fund your studies.

Many postgraduate students start their study by wanting to take a paper in a specific topic area but are unsure about an overall qualification. eVision asks you to nominate a qualification before you choose the paper.  It is recommended that you contact the Department that offers the paper so you can decide on the programme/qualification you are interested in, possible study options, recommended study paths, entry requirements and eligibility, and to check if there are still places available.

Distance Learning contacts

Please ensure you check the specific requirements of the paper/s you wish to study as some papers require students to travel to one of our campuses for an intensive on-campus component. All students need access to a computer, and if your paper/s are taught via videoconferencing you will need broadband, a webcam and microphone, or a landline for papers taught via audioconference.

The enrolment process

There are three steps in the enrolment process:

Step 1:  Apply to Otago

Step 2:  Complete Course Enrolment

Step 3:  Pay Your Fees

• Further Help
• Definitions

Step 1:  Apply to Otago

Returning students

If you are currently, or have previously been a student at Otago, you will have been issued a username and password.  If you've forgotten these details, you can organise a reset by contacting ITS:

Email its.servicedesk@otago.ac.nz
Tel 0800 479 888

• Log in to eVision using your username and password to complete Course Enrolment.

New students

If you haven't studied at Otago before, visit the Enrolling at Otago page, where you will find useful information about the application and enrolment process (as well as a link to eVision where you need to create your student portal):

Enrolling at Otago

Before starting, it's a good idea to have available:

• Scanned proof of conferment of prior qualifications (transcripts or graduation certificate)
• Hard copy of any name verification (birth certificate, passport, change of name documentation – deed poll, marriage certificate etc.)
• You may also need to provide evidence of NZ residency or citizenship if you hold an overseas birth certificate.

Apply for a programme of study

You will need to select a programme of study, even if you have already been in contact with the Department offering the programme.   Each programme has different entry requirements.

The Admissions and Enrolments team will contact you via email if they need any more information for your application.  You should respond promptly to these requests to ensure that you gain your place.

Qualifications list

In eVision (under Programmes and papers):

• Click Complete application (new students)
• Click Apply for another programme (existing students applying for a new programme)

Once you have been approved, you need to accept your offer of study, which will take you through to Step 2.

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Step 2:  Complete course enrolment

Update personal information

Every year all students must provide information required by the New Zealand government and/or the Univeristy (e.g., demographic details, study address, emergency contact details). You must review and resubmit your personal information for  every year of study to ensure it's up to date.

In eVision, click Change my detials (under My details) to check and/or amend:

• Personal  details,
• Contact details, and
• Educational details

Select your paper/s  OR add paper/s

Each programme (other than CoP) has specific papers that you must take, as well as electives, and eVision will assist you with this process.  If you want to take papers from outside your standard programme or papers that you do not have the pre-requisites for, contact the Department running the Programme in the first instance for further guidance and to see if you will be eligible to do so.

Important Note: Distance papers have the code DNEA in the Occ (occurance) column. On campus papers have the code DNIA.

You must select DNEA if want to study the paper by distance, otherwise you will be considered an on-campus student.

When you have chosen your papers, you must submit your choice for course approval.  If there are any issues with your choice, you will be contacted to discuss this further.  A “Course Fee Assessment” will be generated and can be viewed in eVision.

The Certificate of Proficiency (COP)

The CoP is not a formal academic qualification and therefore is not associated with a specified schedule of papers.

Learn about the Certificate of Proficiency

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Formal declaration

You will be advised in eVision if your course is approved or declined.  You can review this decision in eVision for more information. To finalise your enrolment you must complete the formal declaration that will allow you access to course enrolment.  If all is well, read and sign the declaration which will allow you access to resources, such as Blackboard, course readers and the University Library, and you can proceed to paying fees.

Student email

When you have read and submitted your declaration, a student email address is generated for you and within a few hours you should have access to Blackboard.  Contact your Department if you are unable to access Blackboard after a day or two.

As the University's main method of communication with you is via your student email address, you should check your email regularly to ensure you don't miss vital information about your study.

Learn how to redirect and forward your student email

If you need help with any aspect of your email, please contact:

StudentIT
Email studentit@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 5170 (no toll free service available)
Web http://www.otago.ac.nz/studentit

Hours (semester):
Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 9:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am to 9:00pm

Facebook

You can contact StudentIT (using the message service) via their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/uostudentit

Access to resources

Course material, such as Course Books or Course Readers, will be made available only after you have fully enrolled. These resources may be made made available on Blackboard, emailed to you, or posted to your Semester Address (so providing an accurate Semester Address on e-Vision is important).  If the Course Material doesn't arrive in time for the beginning of study, you should contact your Department.

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Step 3:  Pay your Fees

When your course has been approved, a fees invoice will be generated (an alert will be sent to your student email account). You should check your eVision portal, where you will find your invoice on the “My finances” section with all the information you need to make payment.  Fees should be paid, or loan arrangements organised, before you begin your studies. Late payment of fees may impact on your ability to access resources required for your study.

If you have organised external payment such as Studylink or an external scholarship or workplace payment, you should:

Log an enquiry with AskOtago to request an invoice (if required).

Further help

You may need help to use eVision and problems can be overcome if you seek help early. There are two main ways to access this. Contact the eVision Application Help   www.otago.ac.nz/onlinereghelp  or contact the administrator in the Department for the programme you are studying in.

More information and contacts

AskOtago
Tel 0800 80 80 98
AskOtago Service Portal

International
Tel +64 3 479 8080
International Student Enquiry

Student Finance
Web www.otago.ac.nz/study/fees/

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Definitions

Certificate of Proficiency (CoP):

A paper that is not necessarily being counted towards a particular qualification. If you are planning to study a single paper (which can later be counted towards a formal qualification), the programme is CoP.

Enrolment:

A three step process consisting of applying to the University to study, course enrolment (applying for a programme and selecting papers), and paying fees.

eVision:

eVision is the student administration system used to enrol for your programme, access your enrolment status, view your final results, update contact details, apply for graduation, and access student webmail, Blackboard, and the library.

Paper:

Papers are the individual academic components of your entire “course” for a particular semester or year. Papers count towards a qualification such as a Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, Master's degree, PhD, etc.

Programme:

A course of study usually resulting in a University qualification (e.g. Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences, Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching, Master of Indigenous Studies, PhD, etc.)