SIT – Southern Institute of Technology

Institution Overview

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) is one of New Zealand's largest and most accessible institutes of technology, based in Invercargill, Southland, in the south of the South Island. SIT is famous for its pioneering Zero Fees Scheme, introduced in partnership with the Invercargill City Council, which allows eligible students to study many programmes tuition-free — making quality tertiary education highly accessible. With over 200 NZQA-accredited programmes spanning certificates, diplomas, and degrees up to master's level, SIT provides a comprehensive range of vocational and professional qualifications across business, trades, health, arts, hospitality, computing, and social services.

SIT has multiple campuses in Invercargill and a campus in Queenstown, and offers a growing range of online programmes. The institute is known for its small class sizes, personalised academic support, and flexible intake schedules with some programmes offering four to nine intakes per year, and the English Language Institute offering near-weekly start dates.

Why Choose SIT – Southern Institute of Technology?

SIT's Zero Fees Scheme and Southland's exceptionally low cost of living make it one of the most affordable tertiary study options in New Zealand for both domestic and international students. The institute's 200+ programmes, flexible intakes, and personable academic staff ensure students receive both the qualification they need and the personal support to succeed. SIT's Queenstown campus is particularly popular for students pursuing hospitality, tourism, and culinary arts in one of New Zealand's most spectacular settings.

Highlights

• Famous for the pioneering Zero Fees Scheme — tuition-free study for eligible programmes
• 200+ NZQA-accredited programmes from certificate to master's level
• Some of the lowest living costs of any New Zealand city (Invercargill)
• Multiple intake dates — some programmes start almost every week
• Campuses in Invercargill and Queenstown
• Small class sizes with personalised academic support
• Strong focus on vocational, trades, health, business, and creative programmes

Study Pathways

SIT offers programmes across business, administration, hospitality, cookery, trades, construction, healthcare, nursing, computing, digital media, creative arts, social services, education, and English language. The English Language Institute offers five levels of English from beginner to advanced, with near-weekly intakes. Business programmes offer between four and nine intakes per year. Foundation programmes provide pathways into diploma and degree study.

Admission Requirements

Certificate and diploma entry requirements include completion of secondary school or equivalent. Degree programmes require NCEA Level 3 or equivalent international qualification. Some healthcare and trades programmes have additional requirements.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for diploma and degree programmes; IELTS 5.5 for certificate-level programmes.

Scholarships at SIT – Southern Institute of Technology

Zero Fees Scheme

Eligible students may study many SIT programmes at zero tuition cost — a unique New Zealand scholarship equivalent.

SIT Excellence Awards

Recognition for students demonstrating outstanding academic or vocational performance.

Southland Community Scholarships

Access to community and regional scholarships available to students based in Southland.

Career Outcomes

SIT graduates are employed across healthcare, trades, hospitality, business, technology, and creative industries throughout New Zealand and internationally. Southland's strong agricultural, manufacturing, and hospitality economy provides local employment for many SIT graduates. For students completing hospitality and culinary programmes at the Queenstown campus, New Zealand's leading tourism hub provides immediate employment opportunities in hotels, restaurants, and adventure tourism.

What Sets Us Apart

The Zero Fees Scheme

SIT's pioneering Zero Fees Scheme remains unique in New Zealand tertiary education, making it the most accessible institution in the country for students who want a quality qualification at minimal cost.

Queenstown Campus

SIT's Queenstown campus is located in one of the world's most stunning adventure tourism and hospitality hubs, providing students in hospitality, culinary arts, and tourism with a spectacular hands-on learning environment and immediate access to New Zealand's premier hospitality industry.

Flexible Intakes

Unlike most New Zealand institutions that offer only two intakes per year, SIT offers multiple start dates across many programmes, making it easy for international students to begin study at a time that suits them.