In recent years, New Zealand has become a popular study-abroad country amongst overseas students with excellent educational opportunities. Along with its stunning landscapes and scenic views, it also provides a pleasant and safe community with a global reputation for cutting-edge research and creative talent. These factors combine to make the country a desirable location for international students to study in New Zealand. Every year, over 30,000 students from all over the world pick New Zealand as their study abroad destination. Its universities are mostly research-based and state-owned. They provide courses ranging from certificate to PhD level, with the majority of courses lasting a full year.
Because New Zealand was previously a British territory, higher education in New Zealand is quite similar to that in the UK. This indicates that qualifications obtained in New Zealand are typically transferable to institutions in both, the United Kingdom and Australia. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority must accredit all educational institutions that grant qualifications (NZQA).
The New Zealand education system is based on the British educational system, making it widely recognized. There are four types of higher education institutions in New Zealand:
New Zealand's universities are mostly research-oriented and state-owned. They provide courses ranging from certificate to PhD level, with the majority of them lasting a year. Some courses are only offered for one semester and may even be taken in the middle of the academic year.
Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology
Polytechnics and institutes of technology are also state-owned institutions that provide courses comparable to those given at universities. These establishments are more vocational in nature and provide a more hands-on learning experience than many university courses. They provide education ranging from certificates to degrees. Many also provide postgraduate courses of extremely high international standing.
Colleges
Colleges of education in New Zealand are teacher-training schools that are usually linked with or combined with a local university.
Private Training Providers
Private training providers provide training in a specialised area, such as tourist management, hotel management, cookery, or business. These institutes, which are accessible to foreign students, are likewise vocationally focused and strive to place students in qualified employment immediately after graduation.
New Zealand is a rapidly growing destination for high-quality education and a welcoming learning environment. Over the years, the number of students choosing New Zealand as a study abroad destination over other places has steadily increased. Here are a few reasons why you should decide to study in New Zealand for International Students -
Well-Structured Programmes & Courses: All programmes provided by New Zealand's state-funded institutions must pass severe quality inspections. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), a government institution in charge of quality management, must approve all non-university education programmes.
Globally-Recognized Institutions: Academic institutions in New Zealand are among the greatest in the world. In actuality, all eight universities in New Zealand were ranked in the top 3% of the world. A degree from any of the universities will put you ahead of the competition. Universities enrol fewer students, and the exceptional student-teacher ratio (an average of 6.7) allows for intimate engagement with professors.
Excellent Career Opportunities: After graduation, 97 % of New Zealand university students find work, and % of them find work in fields related to the degree they studied. New Zealand grads are given the finest employment chances due to strong relationships with the industry's leading firms.
Affordable Tuition Fees: The cost of studying in New Zealand is significantly lower when compared to other countries providing identical programmes. The tuition fees plus the living expenditures in New Zealand are less than that of popular study abroad countries such as the US, the UK, Australia, Singapore, Canada, Hong Kong, and Switzerland according to the 2015 research by FairFX currency exchange.
Auckland, New Zealand
Cost Of Living
The University of Auckland, which was started in 1883, is the country's largest university, with several students graduating each year. It is a worldwide centre of learning and academic achievement located in the centre of Auckland. The university offers an engaging and challenging environment to over 43,000 students, including 8,200 overseas students from over 120 countries. As a research-driven institution, the university's courses integrate the most recent findings and approaches in each field of study. Auckland University has been named the #1 university in New Zealand for Graduate Employability. It is New Zealand's only institution to have been asked to join the global networks Association of Pacific Rim Universities, Universitas 21, and the Worldwide Universities Network.
The university built New Zealand's largest library in the late 1960s. Furthermore, the university boasts of New Zealand's largest research organisation, with over 13,000 employees and postgraduate students participating in basic and applied research. Auckland University's teaching facilities are organised into eight faculties, two main research institutions, and additional institutes and centres. The arts faculty, business school, science faculty, creative arts faculty and industries, medical faculty and health sciences, education faculty and social, engineering faculty, law faculty, Liggins Institute, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, and a variety of research institutes and centres comprise the university.
The University's rankings reflect its strong commitment to sustainable development and generating a good social effect via collaborations, research, teaching, operations, community involvement, and knowledge transfer. PhD students at Auckland University enjoy unlimited employment privileges for the duration of their study, and their partners can qualify for an open work visa. Graduates of the research degree are also entitled to three years of post-study work privileges. Work rights are not restricted by study discipline or employer sponsorship.
To improve its performance as a globally competitive research-led university, Auckland University forges important international ties. Major world university rankings have placed the university amongst the best New Zealand institutions. With 13,000+ employees and postgraduate students engaged in research, Auckland University is considered the largest research organisation in New Zealand. Thirty-three per cent of New Zealand's top-rated researchers were based at the university in 2018.
Dunedin, New Zealand
Cost Of Living
The University of Otago, founded in 1869, is New Zealand's oldest university. It is the country's only institution where 85% of the students come from outside of Dunedin. The institution is consistently recognised as one of the most stunning campuses in the world, besides Oxford and Cambridge. There are around 18,000 students and 4,000 staff at the university. The university aims to equip students with a global perspective and career prospects abroad by having a significant population of overseas students and positive ties with several global institutions. Otago University is well-known for its research, academic brilliance, and unparalleled student experience. It ranks well in terms of average research quality and, in 2006, was next to the University of Auckland in terms of the number of A-rated academic researchers it employs. Otago University was named one of the world's most attractive institutions due to its architectural grandeur and associated gardens.
The institution is presently organised into four academic departments: the Otago Business School, the Division of Health Sciences, the Division of Humanities, and the Division of Sciences. The university has four campuses spread around New Zealand. Otago drew more students from beyond its provincial district due to its diverse academic offerings. This resulted in the growth of colleges and informal accommodation in the area around the faculty buildings in north Dunedin. The university also has a strong network of over 100,000 alumni spread over 142 countries. The university is affiliated with some eminent personalities.
Otago was also the first institution in Australasia to allow women to study law. In addition to the existing university subjects, the university's medical school, founded in 1875, is one of only two in New Zealand, having component schools in Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington. Otago is the only university in the country that provides dental training. Other professional disciplines and faculties not available at all New Zealand institutions include Pharmacy, Physical Education, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, and Surveying.
The institution offers many scholarships to overseas students. The undergraduate scholarships cover tuition expenses up to $10,000 NZD. Postgraduate students, on the other hand, can get up to 15,000 NZD each year in addition to a partial tuition cost reduction. Students who are unable to get university scholarships might look into external scholarships offered by the New Zealand Government and other organisations.
Wellington, New Zealand
Cost Of Living
Victoria University of Wellington, formerly known as Victoria College, was established in 1897, the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. It is one of New Zealand's oldest and most distinguished higher education, having a long history of academic distinction. The institution has around 17,000 students enrolled, of which approximately 4,000 are international students. It provides undergraduate and graduate programmes. It has a faculty of about 1,000 members who are committed to offering comprehensive and high-quality education. Victoria University boasts over 40 research institutions and centres, providing students with the greatest resources for practical knowledge. It is New Zealand's top-ranked university in terms of research intensity, and it routinely ranks among the top institutions in the world in the QS World Rankings.
The institution provides around 30 undergraduate and 140 postgraduate programmes. Victoria has three campuses in Wellington and eight faculties: Architecture and Design, Business, Education, Law, Health, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Engineering. Students at the university may engage themselves in the New Zealand culture by joining one of over 100 social, sports, and cultural clubs and organisations, as well as a variety of extra-curricular activities that will drive them both personally and professionally. Due to Wellington's standing as the country's capital, the university has networks and affiliations with numerous national organisations, including those of influential figures in business, science, government, culture, and politics.
Victoria University is dedicated to fostering global citizenship, assisting in the solution of global problems, and producing critically literate, globally confident graduates. Careers and Employment work with academic faculties/departments and the business sector to promote discipline/industry-specific events throughout the year. All presently enrolled students are welcome to attend these activities. Many programmes provide real-world experience through field visits, research projects, work placements, or collaboration with internationally renowned experts and researchers.
The University's longstanding strength in public policy has been fully proved by significant contributions to key government programmes, and entrepreneurship education is an emerging strength on which it plans to develop. The university also places a strong value on collaboration with Maori and Pacific communities. The university has formed close relationships with a wide range of corporations and government agencies, and numerous recent projects are focused on enhancing the institution's involvement with industry.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Cost Of Living
The University of Canterbury (UC), founded in 1873, is a distinguished university in New Zealand, ranked among the top 300 in the world. It has a 5-Star QS rating for its outstanding research and teaching methodologies. Because of its broad student body, UC is an excellent location to meet and interact with individuals from all over the world. A total of 17,299 students are enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and doctorate programmes. There are around 814 academic faculty members and 1151 staff personnel at the university. International students can also complete their degrees at one of the university's partner institutions in their home country.
There are five colleges at this university: the College of Arts, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, the College of Education, Health and Human Development, and the College of Business and Law. There are also around 35 research institutions. Each of these institutions provides a variety of degree programmes in the arts, commerce, technology, fine arts, sports, and other fields. Student exchange programmes and other global short courses provide an opportunity for students to get international exposure. The institution has a distinguished alumni list that includes well-known authors, artists, professors, and politicians.
UC takes pride in being home to a world-class community of professors and experts at the forefront of their professions who are dedicated to providing their students with the greatest educational experience possible. UC and its faculty and staff constantly lead the delivery of worldwide rigorous research that attempts to address society's most pressing issues. Whether it's a personal or academic difficulty, the university's specialised Student Care staff is always available to help. The institution is dedicated to its students' growth and achievement, offering mentorship programmes, ESL help, and thorough orientation from day one.
Canterbury University is a highly diverse institution, with over 100 nationalities represented on campus and more than half of the academic staff born overseas, making it one of New Zealand's most international institutions. Through internships, jobs, and an on-campus career fair, the institution offers a wide range of work options. More than 50 universities across the world have exchange programmes with UC, and its special Erskine Fellowship programme invites 75 foreign academics to UC each year to lecture.
Auckland, New Zealand
Cost Of Living
Massey University is a premier New Zealand university known for its distinctive practical diplomas, groundbreaking research, and online courses. It offers a dynamic and interactive learning environment. It is unique among New Zealand universities in that it offers research-driven teaching and research training across three campuses in Auckland, Palmerston North, and Wellington. The institution has a total of approximately 34,000 students studying on its three active campuses. Each year, it accepts around 5,000 overseas students from over 100 countries. Massey has approximately 100 active international partnerships and academic agreements with foreign institutions to enhance study abroad and student exchange opportunities, therefore boosting student mobility and diversity.
Massey has strong linkages with industry and commerce, which contributes to economic growth through teaching and research in applicable areas such as engineering technology, agriculture, finance, medicine, food technology, information sciences, marketing, and accounting. International students that study at Massey discover a pleasant, welcoming environment to learn in, as well as an academic one in which students are encouraged to exceed expectations. The Massey philosophy is to help students prepare for today's career issues by offering programmes that are meaningful, creative, and flexible.
Although Massey University is a sizable, comprehensive institution, each campus has a strong sense of community, a learning environment that promotes excellence, and a warm, friendly vibe. Every campus's academic offerings complement the local and regional environments. The five colleges that make up the teaching and research divisions each include schools that are made up of institutes, departments, and centres. Each college, together with the institutes, schools, departments, and centres housed inside, focuses on a particular set of interrelated topic areas. They also encourage interdisciplinary study and research because of their well-integrated academic system. The university's five main faculties are listed below -
The institution enjoys a well-deserved reputation for academic leadership, top-notch research, and unique teaching based on complex challenges. When they enrol at Massey, international students discover a secure, welcoming environment where they are encouraged to succeed academically.
New Zealand is the only country with all of its universities ranked in the top 500 in the world. Students can also pursue degrees in high-demand fields such as healthcare, engineering, IT, and finance. For overseas students, these university courses in New Zealand provide some of the best diploma programmes. In addition to this, you have the option of studying unconventional courses. The following are some of the most popular courses to study in New Zealand -
With a robust film industry, several New Zealand institutions and colleges offer highly regarded animation and film programmes. A number of New Zealand colleges provide introductory courses or diploma programmes in animation and design that prepare students for entry-level work or entrance into four-year degree programmes. Animation and design courses in New Zealand train students for professions in creative media production such as animator, motion capture animator, CG artist, and many others.
New Zealand, with its fine blend of major and small universities, provides the most up-to-date curricula to kickstart your engineering career. Typically, it takes three to five years to finish your undergraduate course in Engineering, with an extra one to three years if you carry on to your master's programme. New Zealand, known for its innovative spirit, offers engineering programmes that will inspire you to think more independently, creatively, and critically as you address real-life challenges.
If you want to pursue nursing in New Zealand, you have two options: a three-year undergraduate professional degree that permits you to become a General Registered Nurse, or a one- to two-year master's degree. Nursing programmes in New Zealand are designed to produce graduates who are well-versed in both theory and practice. When it comes to medicine, the University of Auckland and the University of Otago are the two primary medical schools. Both institutions are well-known for their medical courses, their outstanding research facilities and immersive learning opportunities for students. A medical degree in New Zealand takes six years to complete.
Students who pursue Business Management & Entrepreneurship programmes in New Zealand have a wealth of options. New Zealand's B-schools provide top-notch education and are renowned for their affordability and strong industry connections. When you pursue a business management degree, you will have access to world-class networks, experience, and expertise. As part of their internships, B-schools in New Zealand also provide students with opportunities to engage with investors, mentors, and partners.
The significant hospitality and tourism industry in New Zealand employs about 136,000 people, accounting for roughly 7% of the total. Students who wish to study in New Zealand in pursuit of this course, are generally employed in the hospitality business in cafés, restaurants, hotels, lodges, parks, and resorts. Travel and tourism courses, therefore, are amongst New Zealand's most popular courses to pursue.
Students are permitted to work 20 hours a week over the academic year and full-time during holidays. Doctoral and research master's students are permitted to work full-time.
Yes. All overseas students who wish to pursue their higher education in New Zealand must procure health insurance. Students have the option to choose between a public healthcare system and a private healthcare system.
Yes. It is feasible. If you plan on taking more than one course in New Zealand, the Pathway Student Visa would be of use. During a five-year period, it allows for up to three consecutive study programmes with one or more recognised education providers.