Why study in New Zealand?
New Zealand is among the world’s best study destinations and as a student an individual can find its internationally-renowned education system and unbeatable way of life. New Zealand is a young country where freedom, inventiveness and talent are held in high regards than positions or rules. Study in New Zealand is definitely going to be a unique experience full of opportunities as the qualification here is recognized and globally respected.
Study in New Zealand opens doors to successful careers globally. New Zealand is the world’s second most peaceful country (Global Peace Index, 2020), with some of the world’s lowest rates of corruption. Whilst you study in New Zealand you will find a new way of learning, where you learn to ask questions and think critically. Studying in New Zealand is an opportunity for self development and growth.
Education System in New Zealand
Study in New Zealand supports students to solve issues, process information, work with peers, and be creative and innovative. A student at any level can study in New Zealand and get a high-quality education that will help them to attain their goals. Universities and institutions in New Zealand usually have an academic year with 2 to 3 semesters. They mainly offer two academic intakes: one in January and other in July. However, there are few institutions that offer multiple intakes to their students in September as well as November.Study in New Zealand comprises universities, polytechnics and Wānanga.
Tertiary Education System in New Zealand
New Zealand has many universities which are state-funded, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) which have been merged into the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), and many Private Training Establishments (PTEs), which include English language schools.
Universities offer higher degree-level education. Programmes are research-led and usually academic as rather than vocational. At the 2020 QS World University Rankings, seven of New Zealand’s universities were in the top 100 in a minimum of one subject.
- PTEs and a few other ITPs offer vocational degree-level education.
- PTEs usually offer specific vocational programmes, concentrating more at certificate and diploma level.
Universities to Study in New Zealand
You can find 600 private universities and 8 state-funded universities in New Zealand. Public universities in New Zealand offer Undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes .
ITPs
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) offer foundation courses, undergraduate and postgraduate vocational courses for student who want to study in New Zealand. At present, there are 16 polytechnics in New Zealand.
Wānanga
If learning the traditional values of Maori cultures interests you, then you can always opt for Wānanga institutes. Wananga institutes teach you everything about the culture of the Maori people. Currently there are 3 Wānanga in New Zealand.
Student Life in New Zealand
While you study in New Zealand, you receive more personalized attention as the strength of the class is smaller. A ‘Code of Practice’ is followed by the government, which takes care of the minimum standards of care that a student can expect. The support is not just limited to the classrooms, but also extends beyond that.
From renting a house to private boards to apartments in the city or living at the hall of residence, there are plenty of options available for students that will suit their lifestyle. Cities in New Zealand are well connected and students can choose from public transport or take bikes for commuting. Study in New Zealand can also permit you to take up a part time job as it takes care of some of your expenses. The cost of accommodation will depend on what kind of stay you choose. A 3-4 bedroom house would have a rent of NZ$565 per week, or NZ$215 a room per week.
Study in New Zealand with various course options:
Diploma, vocational, polytechnic courses or taking a degree, a student has various options to choose from to study in New Zealand. Students from India usually go for Nursing, Accountancy, Engineering, Computer Science, Commerce, Information Technology, Health Sciences and Business Management for their undergraduate courses.
Whilst on the other hand Information Technology, Construction Management, Sports Management, Data science is most popular courses that students choose for their Post Graduation.
How to study in New Zealand
Begin with screening through the best institutions in New Zealand and select the course and university that matches your requirements. You can always get in touch with Envision counselors to help you with a course that not only suits your qualification but also your budget. We recommend going through the entry requirements and also clearing the required exams which are mandatory by the institution, in order to start with your application.
At this stage you should also start planning of how you would be arranging funds to study in New Zealand. Once you have made your application and got an offer letter you can start applying for scholarships. There are some universities that issue scholarships at the time offer.
You can apply for your student visa, after receiving the offer letter, post which you need to apply for AIP (Approval in Principal) and complete the conditions on the AIP. A student visa allows you to study in New Zealand for up to 4 years, depending on the course chosen and its duration. Arrange an accommodation before you arrive in the country.
Cost of studying in New Zealand
Tuition fees would be comparatively higher for international students. However, exceptions are made for students who enroll for a PhD programme with a renowned University in New Zealand, and then the student pays domestic tuition fees
The tuition fees range from NZ$22,000 to NZ$35,000 per year for an undergraduate programme and around NZ$26,000 to NZ$37,000 to pursue a postgraduate programme. The tuition fee depends on the course and institution that you choose and its duration. It is mandatory to have a health cover for a student. It may be a little expensive if you choose to go with a lesser known provider.
Having a part-time job while you study can help you take care of your living expenses, meet people, develop skills and gain experience of workplace in New Zealand.
As a student you will be allowed to work part time for 20 hours a week on your student visa and during vacations you will be permitted to work full time. Every student needs to adhere to the rules about the employment contract. For instance, while studying in New Zealand a student cannot be self-employed. Full time work is only permitted for Research students who are pursuing their doctoral studies at institutions in New Zealand. Also, every student becomes a liable tax payer of what they have earned from their part-time or full-time job.
Scholarships for international students
Apart from part time work, gaining a scholarship is a well deserved way to support your tuition fees and living cost.
Having a scholarship, irrespective of undergraduate or graduate can also mean that you don’t necessarily need to take up a part –time job. This in turn gives you suffice time to concentrate on your education.
New Zealand Government offers many scholarships for international students, which include PhD scholarship and Master’s degree scholarship. Scholarships for international students are also offered by other governments, educational institutions and philanthropists.
Though the eligibility criteria for scholarships may vary, the most important criterion is to have good academics. A good amount of your tuition fee is covered in scholarship. However, the competition is tough; hence, you should have your applications submitted, well ahead of the intake you plan for.
Below are the scholarships available for students planning to study in New Zealand:
- New Zealand Scholarships
- Annual International Learner Scholarships
- New Zealand ASEAN scholar awards
- New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA)
- New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships
Some of the university scholarships are:
- UC international First-year Scholarships
- University of Otago International Research Postgraduate Scholarships
- University of Waikato International Scholarships
- Bachelor Degree Scholarship by Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology
- Graduate Diploma Scholarships by Otago Polytechnic
Scholarships and part-time work options can help you support your finances more effectively.
Benefits of studying in New Zealand
- Develop your learning and interpersonal skills as your ideas will be shared with multicultural people. New Zealand has been a home for over 100,000 international students.
- Options to choose from different intakes and work part-time.
- Opportunities for the spouse to migrate with the partner and get a work permit. Children, if any, can study in New Zealand on domestic student tuition fees if their parents are permanent residents of the country.
- Options to stay back in the country and look for job opportunities, for students involved in research/doctoral programmes.
- All eight universities are recognised amongst the top 500 universities in the world.
- Though Auckland is the most bustling city in New Zealand, cities like Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton are equally popular with some of the best colleges in the country.
- The crime rate, as per world standards, is low in New Zealand, making it a safe place to study.
Are you keen on studying in New Zealand? Speak to us and we’ll guide you in the right direction. It is going to be an exciting journey for you, to explore the kiwi land and to interact with different minds from all around the world, with the additional benefit of exploring the beauty of nature while also enjoying city life.