Study in New Zealand

Known for its beautiful landscapes, the island country New Zealand is also a popular study abroad destination. It is estimated that at any given time there are over 86,000 foreign students in New Zealand.

New Zealand offers a wide range of study programs at its universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and private training establishments. These programs are recognised globally and prepare students to face the job market.

What makes New Zealand study abroad a favourite among international students is the  promise of safety, quality education, and employment opportunities.

As an international student wanting to pursue higher studies in New Zealand, here’s an overview of all the factors you must know: 

With globally ranked universities, friendly culture and exceptional beauty there are many benefits of New Zealand study abroad. Given below are the top reasons why you should continue pursue your studies at universities in New Zealand: 

• Being an English-speaking country, study in New Zealand for Indian students is convenient as they don’t have to cope with learning a foreign language. 
• Students are allowed to live in New Zealand for two additional years to find work post study. This way international students can explore professional avenues and choose the job that suits their needs  the most. 
• In New Zealand there are numerous job opportunities in every field, especially in the fields of Medicine and Engineering. The high paying jobs promise a rewarding career and student life in New Zealand. 
• In order to financially support themselves, students can easily take up part-time jobs in NZ. International students are allowed to work 20 hours per week during their studies. 
• Apart from your career and quality education, the serene breath-taking views and the numerous exciting adventures are definitely a reason to opt to study New Zealand international students.

The NZ education system is broadly divided into 5 major categories – Early Childhood, Primary School, Intermediate School, Secondary School and Tertiary Education. The tertiary education or higher studies covers graduation, post-graduate and doctorate degrees in various fields. The types of degrees offered by higher education institutions in NZ are: 

• Bachelors Degree: It is a full-time undergraduate degree. The duration of the degree is 3 years.
• Masters Degree: It is a degree taken after completing bachelors. Most masters programmes in New Zealand usually last for two years. 
• Doctorate Degree: The research work for a PhD degree in New Zealand usually takes 3-4 years of full time study.

The tertiary education system of New Zealand mainly encompasses: 

NZQF Categorization in New Zealand 

The New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) is a quality qualifications framework comprising 10 levels that cover various qualifications from certificates, diplomas, degrees, to doctoral degrees. It allows the measurement and comparison of  qualifications.  The courses that are rated under the NZQF network are all internationally accepted professional courses and they are quality assured by the New Zealand government.

Here is how the degrees granted by institutions in New Zealand  are marked as per the NZQF:

• NZQF Level 7: Bachelor’s Degree and Graduate Diploma
• NZQFLevel 8: Honours Degree and Postgraduate Diploma
• NZQF Level 9: Masters Degree 
• NZQF Level 10: Doctoral Degree 

NZ university entrance or admissions take place in February and July. The New Zealand university application process is quite straightforward.However, despite the simplicity it is better that you keep a 6 month buffer period to complete the admission process. To apply to any NZ university, follow the process below: 

1. Research about the universities and courses that fit your interests. Shortlist your desired universities in New Zealand. 
2. After you’ve chosen your preferred college and course type, visit the universities’ official website. Make a checklist of the tests you need to take, New Zealand university application deadlines, documents required etc.
3. Take the required entrance exams such as the IELTS, TOEFL, GRE or GMAT etc.
4. Write an effective SOP that reflects your interests and advocates your need to enrol in that university. Your SOP acts as a means of communication. Hence, it’s vital for you to put some thought into it. 
5. Getting some valuable feedback in the form of LORs from your previous employees, faculty and mentors is beneficial to get an admission. 
6. Apply to your desired NZ universities and appear for interviews once selected.
7. Once you’re accepted by your desired NZ university, apply for a New Zealand student visa and plan your travel.

Admission Requirements 

Different programs and universities have a different set of study New Zealand international students requirements. Here’s a quick look at these:

As an international student, you will need to pay for the cost of living and the cost of studying in New Zealand. 

Tuition Fees

The New Zealand university fees range anywhere from NZ$ 26,000 – NZ$ 44,000, depending on the course you choose. The arts & social sciences programs cost much less than medicine & management.

Cost of Living

The cost of living for international students in New Zealand depends upon your lifestyle. Some of the most common components of the cost of living in New Zealand are – 

Studying in New Zealand is fascinating. However, studying in the prominent cities of New Zealand will allow you to enjoy the perks of the town. Here’s a look at the best city in New Zealand for international students:  

Auckland

• Average Cost of Living : NZ$ 20,000/ year
• Top Universities / Institutes: University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Manukau Institute of Technology

Christchurch

• Average Cost of Living: NZ$ 16,000/ year
• Top Universities / Institutes: University of Canterbury, New Zealand College of Business

Wellington

• Average Cost of Living:NZ$ 20,000/ year
• Top Universities / Institutes: Victoria University of Wellington, University of Otago, Wellington

Dunedin

• Average Cost of Living:NZ$ 12,000/ year
• Top Universities / Institutes: University of Otago

Hamilton

• Average Cost of Living:NZ$ 12,000/ year
• Top Universities / Institutes: University of Waikato, Waikato Management School

If you are an international student, New Zealand study visa is a must provided the course is longer than three months. For those opting for a Bachelors or Masters in New Zealand you will need to take the Fee Paying Student Visa.

To apply: 

1. Gather your documents. Scan them into a PDF format.
2. Visit the official immigration website and create an account to apply online. If you wish to apply in person, visit the nearest embassy or consulate and pick up an application form for an appointment.
3. Fill the application form and submit it along with the rest of your documents.
4. Pay the visa application fee and then, wait for your visa application approval. 
5. The New Zealand student visa takes about 20 days to process an online application. Offline applications might take about 25 days. Therefore, it’s best if you apply at least six weeks prior to your travel to New Zealand.

Studying in New Zealand can be affordable by winning a scholarship. And the good news is that there are many scholarships available to study in NZ. Some of the top scholarships in NZ  for international students are:

Coursework Masters Scholarship

• International Students for Graduate programs.  
• Amount/ Benefit: NZ$ 10,000

New Zealand Excellence Award

• International students pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s degree in the New Zealand
• Amount/ Benefit: up to  NZ$ 10,000

AUT International Excellence Scholarships

• International students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate programs
• Amount/ Benefit: NZ$ 7,000

International Excellence Scholarship

• Students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. 
• Amount/ Benefit: up to NZ$ 20,000

New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships

• Indian students who apply to master’s degree or PhD.
• Amount/ Benefit: Cover tuition fee, living, travel and health insurance, and establishment allowance. 

New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS)

• Indian students for PhD. 
• Amount/ Benefit: Covers university tuition fee, associated student levies, living stipend and health insurance coverage for three years. 

University Scholarships

• Scholarships offered by individual universities for both graduate and undergraduate programs. 
• Amount/ Benefit: Varies with the university and program

Students can work up to 20 hours per week as an international student.  They can also extend your working hours to 40 hours per week during holidays. It is possible that you earn more than this depending on the type of job you take up. 

Some of the best New Zealand part time jobs for students are: 

Post Study Work Options For International Students In New Zealand

A bright future is set for most international students studying in New Zealand. A number of opportunities are available for jobs, and the additional two years of stay after studying is beneficial to find a suitable work opportunity. 

Job Outlook for International Students after Studies

Students can check out the skills storage list of New Zealand to discover the kind of jobs they can apply for. Some of the top areas to look into for New Zealand career opportunities are: 

Work Visa & PR in New Zealand 

International students who have graduated from New Zealand  can apply for the post-study work visa (PSW). A Post-study work visa lasts for 1, 2 or 3 years depending on the level of your qualification and where you studied. Students need to apply for a PSW visa within three months after the end of their student visa. 

Many students wish to stay back in New Zealand and obtain a Permanent Residence Visa.  The PR system in New Zealand is a points-based system i.e. you have to get a minimum score of New Zealand PR points in order to get the visa. You can apply for a New Zealand PR visa through various categories – Skilled Migrant Category, Partner Category, and Business and Investment Category.

To summarize, studying in New Zealand for Indian students and other international students can be very interesting and fruitful. It gets better if you opt for a scholarship to fix your finances. Studying in New Zealand, and exploring the Oceanic land can be an exciting time of your life. Get on the beautiful journey of learning in New Zealand. 

Can students work while studying in New Zealand?

Ans: Students are allowed to work 20 hours per week, and full time during vacations.

Are degrees obtained from New Zealand recognized worldwide?

Ans: Yes, degrees obtained from New Zealand are recognized worldwide and renowned for their quality education.

Which English language tests are accepted by New Zealand Universities?

Ans: The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most preferred English language test, accepted by all universities in New Zealand.