Interest Only enrolment (also referred to as "Cultural", "Personal Interest", or "Not-for-Credit" enrolment at other universities) is a category of enrolment that allows you to attend certain classes for your own general interest without undertaking any form of assessment or receiving results or credit.
Interest Only enrolment is available in limited circumstances to domestic students.
Students enrolled under Interest Only study are normally permitted to attend lectures only. They do not usually attend tutorials, practical classes, or laboratories, and they do not submit assignments or sit tests or final examinations.
Tuition fees for Interest Only papers are the same as for a standard enrolment. You will not be charged a Student Services Fee for Interest Only papers.
Interest Only enrolment is not approved for student loans or allowances.
Eligibility and restrictions
The following conditions apply to Interest Only enrolment:
- Interest Only enrolment is available to domestic students only and is not available to international students
- Interest Only enrolment is not normally available to students who are also enrolled in papers for credit in the same enrolment period. Students must be enrolled either entirely in Interest Only papers or entirely in for-credit papers
- Students cannot change a paper from for-credit to Interest Only part-way through a teaching period. Any exceptions are considered only in exceptional circumstances and on a case-by-case basis
- Interest Only enrolments will not be accepted if this would prevent an eligible student from enrolling in the same paper for credit
Applying for Interest Only enrolment
You can start the application process for Interest only enrolment by completing the Interest only request form:
If you need help with the application process or are unsure whether a paper is suitable for Interest Only enrolment, contact AskOtago for assistance.
Applicants should note that they are not eligible for student loan or student allowance funding for any papers taken under Interest Only enrolment.
Further information