Either of the two usually 18-week periods of instruction into which an academic year is often divided.

Wintec’s teaching year is divided into semesters; semester 1 and semester 2 and for some programmes, summer school. All programmes have an intake in semester 1 and some have intakes in semester 2.

The New Zealand tertiary sector covers private training establishments (PTEs), institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs), wananga, universities and workplace training.

Of, relating to, governed by, or acquired through practice or action, rather than theory or speculation: gained practical experience of sailing as a deck hand.

The realm of practical or actual experience, as opposed to the abstract, theoretical, or idealized sphere of the classroom, laboratory.

An apprenticeship is training that involves following and studying a master of the trade on the job instead of in school. Carpenters, doctors, and many other professionals often learn their trade through apprenticeship.

A work placement, internship, clinical placement, practicum, teaching practice or industry experience is work-related experience, usually at an organisation external to Wintec.

The common educational standard established, after consultation with the universities and the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors' Committee, and maintained by NZQA as a minimum prerequisite for entrance to a New Zealand university.

A grant or payment made to support a student's education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievement.

Section of Work and Income, which manages student loans and allowances.

Depending on what course you apply for, each course has an ‘entry criteria’ which individuals need to meet to be accepted into a course. Entry criteria can consist of being a particular age; and, or having achieved NCEA Level 1-3 with a number of credits in a particular subject.

Due to a course being of a popular nature, there can be many students applying to take the course in the same year. Therefore, it is likely that a course will have multiple streams/stands to accommodate this. All students learn the same subjects/topics but may be situationed in a different class time to another student.

This is similar to a topic at secondary school. To complete each paper, you will be required to participate in a range of lectures, tutorials and maybe some practical work. Each paper is assessed and, on passing, you will gain points towards a degree.