Parvis School of Economics and Music

Admissions

The Selection Philosophy

Admission to Parvis School of Economics and Music is a competitive process, but not in the conventional sense. While we value high grades, we view them as a baseline, not a differentiator. We are looking for “The Parvis Spark”—a specific kind of intellectual curiosity that thrives on complexity. We are less interested in students who can recite the textbook, and more interested in those who question why the textbook was written that way.

We invite applications from students who demonstrate:

  1. Resilience: The ability to fail, analyse the failure, and proceed.
  2. Divergent Thinking: The capacity to connect unrelated concepts (e.g., Code and Chords).
  3. Community Spirit: A willingness to contribute to our intimate Te Aro campus culture.

Admissions Process: Senior College (Years 11–13)

  • Step 1: Academic Transcripts: We require reports from the previous two years of schooling. We look for strong performance in Mathematics and English/Language Arts.
  • Step 2: The Entrance Assessment: Unlike standard entrance exams, our test includes a Logic component and a Creative Problem Solving component. There is no multiple choice.
  • Step 3: The Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited to Inverlochy Place for an interview with the Dean of the Senior College. Students should be prepared to discuss their reading habits, their artistic interests, and their ambitions.
  • Music Scholars: Applicants wishing to enter the Music stream must provide a recorded audition piece (video) or perform live during the interview.

Admissions Process: Undergraduate & Postgraduate

  • Domestic Students: University Entrance (UE) is the minimum requirement, but guaranteed entry requires a higher Rank Score than the national average. Specifically, we require 14 credits in a Mathematics-rich subject (Calculus/Statistics) and 14 credits in a Language-rich subject.
  • International Students: We welcome the world to Wellington. International applicants must prove English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 minimum, with no band less than 6.0). We accept diverse qualifications including IB (International Baccalaureate), Cambridge A-Levels, and GaoKao scores from China (Tier 1 cut-off).
  • Portfolio/Audition:
    • Design & CS applicants: Must submit a digital portfolio or GitHub repository link.
    • Music applicants: A rigorous live audition or high-fidelity recording is mandatory.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

We believe that brilliance should not be hindered by financial barriers.

  • The Inverlochy Merit Scholarship: Covers 50% of tuition fees for students demonstrating exceptional dual-talent (e.g., Grade 8 Piano + Distinction in Mathematics).
  • The Te Aro Community Grant: Need-based assistance for local Wellington families.

Note: Please check our ‘Key Dates’ section on the sidebar. Applications for the 2026 intake close strictly on November 30th.