Study in New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It comprises two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island) and around 600 smaller islands. The country has become a growing study destination of students from more than almost 190 countries around the world. Education in New Zealand is based on more practical and less theory where the education providers in NZ adopt a practical approach to teaching by situating all learning in real life situations. It is one of the main reasons for student growth in the country which houses 8 universities, 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnic (ITPs) and a number of private institutions. The education quality is unquestionable controlled by strong quality assurance systems and the affordability makes it all the better. In addition, it is the 2^nd Most Peaceful country (Global Index, 2019) that has world’s lowest rate of corruption.

QUICK FACTS

Capital: Wellington
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ $)
Official Language : English and Maori
Time Zone : GMT +12
Major Cities : Auckland, Wellington, ChristChurch, Hamilton, Dunedin, Palmerston North
Area : 268,021 km²
Calling Code : +64

Know more about the cities & regions of New Zealand:

Student Cities

Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city located on the east coast of North Island. Auckland is known for its especially multicultural community and rigorous activities to involve in that places it in the world’s most liveable cities. It is home to the highest-ranking university, the University of Auckland and other Universities such as Auckland University of Technology and several institutes of technology and polytechnics.

Wellington
Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand on the south coast of North Island. The city offers a good selection of culture, cuisine and nightlife within a relatively compact area. Universities in Wellington include Victoria University of Wellington and one of Massey University’s three campuses, as well as several institutes of technology and polytechnics.

Christchurch
Christchurch located on the east coast of South Island, is the largest city on the island and the third most-populous urban area in New Zealand. Universities in Christchurch include the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University, as well as a selection of specialist colleges, many of them private. Christchurch is one of the Best Student Cities.

Dunedin
Dunedin, the second-largest city on the South Island is the main city in the Otago region. Formerly New Zealand’s largest city (until around 1900), Dunedin retains a leading position in the country’s culture, and is a major student hub, with students accounting for a significant proportion of its community. Dunedin is home to New Zealand’s second highest-ranked and oldest university, the University of Otago.

Know more about the cities & regions of New Zealand:

Why New Zealand

New Zealand is a relatively young country where independence, initiative and resourcefulness are more highly regarded than status or rules. As a student, you will be encouraged to be questioning, flexible and to seek your own answers by thinking for yourself. The benefits of studying in New Zealand are listed below:

Quality

New Zealand qualifications are recognized and highly valued by industry and community leaders all over the world. The country has an excellent centrally-managed quality assurance system, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), which requires that all institutions enrolling international students be registered and ensures compliance with qualifications standards.

Lifestyle

New Zealand has a breathtaking natural environment blended with cities abuzz with excitement and culture. The cities are a cosmopolitan mix of cafes, shopping, movies and nightlife and it has a vibrant multicultural society, enriched by its own Maori culture and many from around the world.

Affordability

New Zealand offers a range of competitive programs for students when considering tuition fees and the costs like visas, health cover and additional living expenses offer good value students. The country is affordable compared to other study destinations and has value for money.

Employment prospects

With skill shortage across various sectors in the New Zealand labor market, fresh graduates are in high demand in New Zealand. Students with skills in demand and who wish to stay in New Zealand long-term may apply for a Skilled Migrant Visa which would allow them to live and work in New Zealand permanently.

The Great Outdoors

New Zealand, with its volcanoes, high snow-covered mountains, spectacular lakes, and white sandy beaches, is a land of unparalleled beauty. The country’s pristine landscape provides the backdrop for some extreme outdoor activities. From mountain climbing to the thrill of bungee jumping, skydiving and white-water rafting, New Zealand is the home for lovers of the great outdoors.

Student Support

New Zealand has a high professional standard, a supportive learning environment, and a focus on student welfare. The New Zealand Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students sets out the minimum standards for the care and support of international students during their studies in New Zealand.

Education System

Education System in New Zealand

The educational system in New Zealand is extremely varied and is one of the best in the world. According to scores, it has the highest levels of literacy, mathematics, and sciences in the country. The public educational system is one of the best funded in the world; New Zealand offers the highest percentage of public funding in education in the world. Several indices rate New Zealand as the number one country in the world for education. The country has 8 state-funded Universities, 16 Institutions of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and about 550 Private Training Establishments (PTEs) which include English language schools.

There are 10 levels of study in New Zealand schools and universities. The lowest level is a certificate course and the highest is a doctoral degree.

Level 1 to 4 –Certificates
Level 5 and 6 –Diplomas
Level 7 –Bachelor’s degrees and graduate diplomas
Level 9 –Master’s degrees
Level 10 –Doctoral degrees

An agreed set of criteria defines every qualification type. The criteria include: the level at which the qualification is listed the qualification’s purpose learning outcomes the number of credits required at each level. Each of the different levels of qualification type has a different purpose, outcomes, and credit requirements.

INTAKES

To study in New Zealand, the major intakes are:

February
July
September

The major intakes are in February and July while few offer the program in September as well.

Programs and Providers in New Zealand:

Cost of education

Cost of Education in New Zealand

The tuition fees in New Zealand vary from course to course and university to university.

The course fees for studying for a Bachelor’s/ Under Graduate Degree in New Zealand:

Arts/ Humanities/ Social Studies/ Commerce/ Administration/ Management Commerce/ Administration/ Management – NZ$ 20, 000 – NZ$ 26, 000 per year
Computing & Mathematical Sciences – NZ$ 20,000 – NZ$ 24,000 per year
Engineering & Technology – NZ$ 24,000 – NZ$ 28,000 per year

The course fees for studying for a Master’s/ Post Graduate Degree in New Zealand:

Arts / Humanities / Social Sciences – NZ$ 24,000 – NZ$ 28,000 per year
MBA & other Management programs – NZ$ 35,000 – NZ$ 50,000 per year
Engineering – NZ$ 30,000 – NZ$ 40,000 per year

International students studying in New Zealand for more than one year, need to prove that they have at least $15,000 to support themselves for the first year. If they are studying for less than a year, they must have at least $1250 for each month of study to contribute to the living expenses.

Required Test

English is the main medium of instruction in New Zealand, except at Maori institutions. It is therefore important for international students to give proof of their proficiency in English to the University they wish to study with that can be fulfilled by IELTS, PTE or TOEFL scores.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The entry requirements for the different course of study are:

Diploma / Advanced diploma – Completion of Year 12 or equivalent with 55% and IELTS 5.5
Bachelors program – Completion of Year 12 or equivalent with 60% & IELTS 6.0
Masters program – Completion of Bachelor from recognized University with 55% & IELTS 6.5

An equivalent TOEFL and PTE scores are also accepted by the providers. Also, students can also enroll at Postgraduate Diploma levels and Ph.D.

Admission procedure

Admission Procedure

For all undergraduate programs, the admission is based on the marks scored in High School with IELTS or TOEFL scores. To get admission to Master Program valid university degrees are the pre-requisites. There are no application fees to apply. The required documents for admission include:

Academic Documents
IELTS/ PTE or TOEFL score
Passport
Work Experience (If any)
University/ College Application Form
CV
Statement of Purpose

VISA APPLICATION

The visa application for New Zealand can be via paper or online application. The following documents are required for application purposes.

Valid passport
An offer of place from an approved education provider
Evidence of funds to pay tuition fees and living expenses
Passport size photo
Completed Student Visa Application Form
Health and Character certificates
Visa Application Fee

Student Visa Application Checklist:
More about Student Visa in New Zealand:

scholarships

Scholarships

You can study in New Zealand with scholarships that are offered by the New Zealand government. There are a lot of opportunities available for international students so that you can further your education and get proper opportunities. Some of the scholarships are:

New Zealand Development Scholarships: They were developed for those pursuing postgraduate study in New Zealand. These scholarships are from those who are coming from parts of Central America, South America, Africa, Nepal, Timor-Leste, Mongolia, and a small number of Chinese provinces.
ASEAN Scholar Awards: These are for students from Southeast Asia that performed well academically during their secondary schooling and are looking to attend university in New Zealand. These scholarships were developed to nurture diplomatic relationships with those countries and New Zealand.
Commonwealth scholarships

Find more about Scholarships here:

Accommodation

Accommodation in New Zealand includes a lot of options:

Residence Halls and Dormitories (On Campus Residency): They are located just a few miles away from are usually affiliated with universities and around the area. The estimated cost is $250 to $390 per week.
Hostels: Hostels are mostly located near to the universities and educational institutes. They are shared by group of students creating opportunities to make friends and be part of cultural diversity. The rent is around $140 to $250 per week and the shared room will be rented in half of this amount.
Private Renting Accommodation: Rental accommodations are also one of the accommodation options. You can rent private accommodation through real estate agents or contacting the owners directly through online websites. It costs $200 to $350 per week rent to one person for one room excluding bills of gas and power
Home Stay: Home Stay is an accommodation option where a student can live with the host family by renting a single room at their house. It is economically cheap option and a great way to know local culture and enhance your English language skills. The rent per week for a home stay accommodation can be around $240 to $350.

Find student accommodations in New Zealand:

Work Prospects

WORKING WHILE STUDYING

According to the official immigration website of the New Zealand government:

International students on a student visa are allowed to work part-time up to 20 hours a week during classes and full-time on scheduled holidays.
International students aren’t allowed to be self-employed. They must work as a worker (or employee) with an employment agreement, and not as an independent contractor.
Students of masters by research or doctoral degree at a New Zealand institution may work full-time while they are studying.
The average wage for part-time jobs is between NZ$12 – NZ$15 per hour.

WORKING AFTER GRADUATION

A Post-study work visa allows one to work for any employer and in almost any job after graduation. A Post-study work visa lasts for 1, 2 or 3 years depending on the level of your qualification and where you studied.

Diploma and Graduate Diploma in Auckland – 1 year PSW
Diploma and Graduate Diploma outside Auckland- 2 years PSW
Bachelor, Postgraduate, Masters, PhD- 3 years PSW irrespective of place of study

Permanent Residency

Residing in New Zealand permanently can be accomplished through various visa options such as:

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
Long Term Skill Shortage List Resident Visa
Permanent Resident Visa

More about Permanent Residency in New Zealand:

UseFul Links

Study in New Zealand:
New Zealand Immigration:

FAQ

What are the popular study fields in New Zealand?

The popular study fields in New Zealand are: Business and Management, Information Technology, Engineering and Technology, Construction, Architecture and Built Environment, Health, Operations and Logistics & Hospitality and Tourism.

Which is the major cities where international students study in New Zealand?

Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are the main popular and happening cities where international students usually prefer to study in New Zealand.

Are New Zealand qualifications valued globally?

Yes, New Zealand qualifications are recognized and valued internationally. They have reputation of producing skilled graduates with high satisfaction.

How much does it cost to study in New Zealand?

Tuition fees for international students to study in New Zealand depends on the Institution, program, place and duration of study. On an average the fee ranges from $17,000- -$35,000 per year based on the Institution and program.

What is the cost of living in New Zealand?

The cost of living depends on the place you choose to live in, as accommodation and living expenses differ across the country. However, a standard reasonable amount is NZD 15000 per year.

How can I get a scholarship to study in New Zealand?

There are numerous scholarships for international students to study in New Zealand for all the levels of study. The scholarships are offered by the New Zealand Government and Educational Institutions.

What are the English language requirements to study in New Zealand?

The English language requirements vary based on the institution and the academic level of the course. It is advisable to check with the individual providers.

How can I get a visa to study in New Zealand?

You would need a student visa for New Zealand if you want to study for more than three months. You need to have a valid unconditional letter of admission from a NZQA accredited Institution and provide supporting documents of required finances required towards tuition fees and living & accommodation cost for duration of stay in New Zealand.

Can I work while studying in New Zealand?

As an international student, you will be able to work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time i.e. 40 hours a week during scheduled holidays. If you are a Masters by research or PhD student, you may be able to work full-time during term time as well as during scheduled holidays.

Under which condition can I qualify for a New Zealand Resident Visa?

The Permanent Resident visa is determined on a point based system. Any work experience gained after studying in New Zealand will help you to garner valuable points to qualify for Permanent Residency.

What Are The Accommodation Arrangements available in New Zealand?

There are options of on campus and off campus accommodations that include: residence halls and dormitories, hostels, private renting or homestay. The cost can range from NZ$ 140 to NZ$ 390 depending on the accommodation type or location.

Can my spouse accompany me to New Zealand?

Your spouse may accompany you to New Zealand or join you later. They must apply for and meet the normal requirements for the type of visa required (visitor, work, or student).

I Have Got A Student Visa And My Spouse Wants To Accompany Me To New Zealand. Can He / She Apply For A Work Visa?

Your spouse can apply for a work visa only if you are doing a postgraduate course in New Zealand or if you are studying a course towards qualifications in the Long term Skill Shortage List.

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