Skip to content

Study in New Zealand: The Best Guide For International Students

Study in New Zealand: Admissions, Scholarships, Top Institutions, Visa & Post Study Opportunities

Do you wish to study in New Zealand?

With a rich and unique range of academic institutions, New Zealand is often regarded as the best destination in the Asia-Pacific area for higher education, receiving more international students than any other country. New Zealand provides some of the best study opportunities in the world, a diverse range of social activities, and the ideal way to enjoy the grandeur of the Pacific Islands. We hope to provide you with all of the information you need to know about studying in New Zealand in this article.

Study in New Zealand: Admissions, Scholarships, Top Institutions, Visa & Post Study Opportunities
Study in New Zealand: Admissions, Scholarships, Top Institutions, Visa & Post Study Opportunities

An Overview of New Zealand

New Zealand is a country of two islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It is the world’s youngest country, with a population of only five million people. Wellington is the capital city, and Auckland is the largest city. For generations, indigenous Mori people and Europeans have coexisted in New Zealand. Originally, the country was known as “Aotearoa,” which means “land of the long white cloud.”

James Cook first visited the islands of NZ in 1769 and named it NZ. He was looking for an undiscovered southern continent when he discovered this new area, which he named New Zealand after his home country of England. Studying abroad in New Zealand is an excellent chance to immerse yourself in a different culture and way of life. It also provides an opportunity to learn about New Zealand’s history and politics. Because of its small size, New Zealand has a restricted number of universities, but they are all well-respected institutions with strong teaching and research standards.

Why Should You Study Abroad in New Zealand?

One of the most fulfilling experiences you can have is studying abroad. It allows you to travel the world, gain a global perspective, discover more about yourself, meet new people from different continents and get the opportunity to view the world from a different angle you are used to. However, it is not only about the advantages of studying abroad. There are several reasons you should study in New Zealand.

  • One of the best aspects of studying in New Zealand is its natural beauty. The country’s geography is varied, featuring mountains, forests, beaches, islands, and glaciers. This makes it a great place for anyone wishing to get up close and personal with nature.
  • New Zealanders are pleasant individuals who are happy to answer any queries visitors may have.
  • New Zealanders also speak English, making it simple for overseas students to integrate and navigate the country.
  • It is reasonably priced: Tuition rates are lower than in most other nations, and grants are available to qualified students.
  • It’s safe: New Zealand is one of the safest countries on the planet, with extremely low crime rates and a high standard of living.
  • It has outstanding universities: Many internationally renowned universities provide world-class education at a reasonable cost.
  • New Zealand has a good reputation for providing high-quality education at reasonable prices, allowing you to study abroad without incurring significant debt.
  • Hundreds of courses are available, spanning art, business, design, math, physics, and social sciences. You can even learn to speak Maori!

New Zealand Education System

The New Zealand education system is one of the most inventive and effective in the world, it offers equal access to high-quality education for all and sundry. The education system in New Zealand is recognized as one of the top three in the world. The country has a high literacy rate and performs well in international exams such as PISA and PIRLS. The education system in New Zealand is founded on three fundamental principles:

  • A free public education system that gives all pupils an equal opportunity to learn and thrive.
  • The advancement of social justice through parity in access to high-quality education.
  • High standards for all pupils are used to promote excellence.

New Zealand is home to eight colleges, 18 technology institutes, and more than 600 training centres that assist with specific skills. According to the QS World Top 500 rankings, five of New Zealand’s universities are ranked among the top 50 institutions in the world. The schools in New Zealand are of the best quality, and the country is renowned for its business, technology, engineering, and biological sciences fields.

The New Zealand government provides financial aid to permanent residents for their higher education programs. The majority of tertiary students receive financial aid from the government to cover their tuition and living costs. Students primarily rely on grants and loans from the government. Depending on their performance on the state-run exams, secondary school pupils receive scholarships to help with some of their tuition costs.

Although largely at the postgraduate level, universities and other funders also award scholarships or funding grants to deserving students. Some employers will also help their workers pursue (full- or part-time) studies for a degree that relates to their line of employment. People who receive state welfare benefits who are retraining or going back to work after having children may be qualified for additional aid, however students who are currently enrolled full- or part-time in school are not.

A bachelor’s degree typically takes three years to complete, and an additional year of study is required to earn an honours degree. There are other four-year degrees (which may or may not be conferred with Honours) and some speciality bachelor’s degrees which require more time to finish than degrees that follow the 3+1 pattern. First class, higher second class, lower second class, or third class are the typical honours grades, though this might vary from degree to degree.

A master’s degree may come after a bachelor’s degree. A candidate who does not already have an honours degree may nonetheless be granted a master’s degree with honours; this degree typically entails two years of study, in contrast to the one year required for a master’s degree for a candidate who holds an honours degree. A applicant may pursue a PhD degree if they already hold a master’s or a bachelor’s with honours.

What are the Prerequisites for Studying in New Zealand?

Many International students choose New Zealand as their place of study because it has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful and safest countries on the planet. To study in New Zealand, you must first understand the requirements. The first requirement is that you be 18 years of age or older by the start of your studies. Also, you must have completed at least two years of secondary school. Lastly, while applying for a student visa, you must have at least NZD20,000 available as a cash deposit or money transfer.

Inexpensive Courses For International Students In New Zealand

The New Zealand Government established the Education New Zealand (ENZ) website to help international students in locating courses and institutions that meet their requirements. The website contains a searchable database of over 1,000 English-language courses for undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational degrees. It also includes information on the cost of living in various New Zealand regions.

Best Institutions in New Zealand

With a top-notch educational system, New Zealand is an excellent choice for international students. Regardless of where you choose to study, its universities all comply to international standards and are routinely tested and overseen by the government to maintain a consistently high level of education.  New Zealand’s educational system is incredibly diverse little wonder why why it’s the best in the world. If you wish to study in New Zealand, here is a list of the top 10 universities in New Zealand you should check out.

1. University of Otago

The University of Otago is New Zealand’s second-oldest university. It provides a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is also well-known for its high level of research activity, with an average of $1 million in external research grants received each year. The University of Otago has three campuses: Dunedin, Wellington, and Christchurch. The main campus of the University is situated on the outskirts of a park facing the Pacific Ocean on the south side of Dunedin’s core business district. The University of Otago’s tuition fees varies based on the subject. Undergraduate courses, for example, cost between NZ2,900 and NZ8,200 per year. Undergraduate courses for international students will cost between $30,000 and $35,000 per year.

2. Massey University

Massey University is a New Zealand higher education institution. It has a student body of almost 50,000 people. It was established in 1927 and is New Zealand’s largest university. Massey University is one of the country’s most respected universities, offering a diverse range of courses from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. The university has five campuses spread out over three regions: the North Shore, Auckland City, and Wellington City. It also has worldwide collaborations with over 130 institutions around the world.

3. The University of Auckland

The Institution of Auckland is New Zealand’s largest university, with about 48,000 students. Times Higher Education World University Rankings has named the university one of the best in the world. Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, Engineering, Law and Management Studies, Science and Health are the six faculties at Auckland University. Across these faculties, it provides undergraduate degrees in over 100 areas. The university also provides postgraduate degrees in a variety of subjects.

4. Lincoln University NZ

Lincoln Institution, located in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a public university. Canterbury College, a constituent college of the University of New Zealand, was founded in 1878. The main campus of Lincoln University is set on 50 hectares of manicured grounds with gardens and lakes. The site offers panoramic views of the city and the Southern Alps to the south.

Lincoln University offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs. Through its four primary research institutes, the university maintains close ties with industry and business. These institutes are the Agri-Food Systems Research Institute, the Energy Research Institute, the Environmental Research Institute, and the Materials Research Institute. Since 2009, the university has been ranked in the top one per cent (1%) of universities worldwide by QS World Rankings.

5. University of Waikato

The Institution of Waikato is a New Zealand public research university located in Hamilton. It is the country’s second-oldest university, having been founded in 1964. The University of Waikato is regarded among the top universities in New Zealand and around the world. In different international rankings, it is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world.

6. University of Canterbury

The Institution of Canterbury is a New Zealand public university located in Christchurch. Canterbury Institution, a constituent college of the University of New Zealand, was founded in 1873 as the University of Canterbury. In 1961, it became an independent university. Arts and Education, Business and Economics, Engineering, Science and Technology, and Health Sciences are the four faculties that make up the university. The University has over 40,000 students from 120 countries, making it one of New Zealand’s major universities regarding the student population. It offers over 200-degree programs in fields ranging from the humanities to science to engineering to business and management to health sciences.

7. Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria Institution of Wellington is a New Zealand public research university. It was established by an Act of Parliament in 1897 and is New Zealand’s oldest and largest university. It has a student population of about 40,000, with over 3,200 international students. The academic offerings at the university range from pre-school through PhD studies.

8. Eastern Institute of Technology

The Eastern Institute of Technology is a tertiary education institution in New Zealand. The institute is located in the northern suburbs of Wellington in the city of Porirua. Eastern Institute of Technology was founded in 1988 and now has over 7,000 students. It provides over 100 programs in fields such as business, engineering, health sciences, information technology, and creative arts. Tuition for the undergraduate curriculum is NZD20,000 for international students and NZD14,000 for New Zealand nationals per year.

9. Western Institute of Technology

Western Institute of Technology is a private college that provides degrees in Computer Science, Business Administration, and Information Technology. It has been in Anaheim for almost fifty years and is located in the city of Anaheim. Dr Roberta L. Milliken and Dr George L. Miller created the Western Institute of Technology in 1962 as the California College for Women, with the assistance of numerous other women who were academics or business executives. On September 11th, 1962, the school opened its doors to 243 students enrolled in five different degree programs: Liberal Arts, Business Administration, Home Economics, Music Education, and Nursing Science.

10. Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand is a country’s higher educational institution. It was founded in 2001 and currently has offices in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The Open Polytechnic provides about 500 courses in a wide range of subjects, including business studies, creative design, engineering and technology, health sciences, humanities, and languages. The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand is one of the few fee-free tertiary schools in New Zealand. This implies that students and teachers can study without having to worry about tuition and living expenses, allowing them to concentrate on their studies.

Study in New Zealand: Admissions, Scholarships, Top Institutions, Visa & Post Study Opportunities
Study in New Zealand: Admissions, Scholarships, Top Institutions, Visa & Post Study Opportunities

University Admissions Process in New Zealand

The university admissions procedure in New Zealand is highly competitive. The candidate must be prepared to meet the academic criteria as well as the requirements of the university to which they are applying. The universities in New Zealand have different entry requirements which vary from course to course. Some universities, for example, may require a higher level of English than others. Before applying, applicants should always examine the entry requirements of their selected university.

Do Institutions in New Zealand offer Scholarships?

Scholarships are gifts, usually in the form of money, given by an institution to a student who has been accepted into a degree program.

Scholarships are typically awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional academic success or who have unique talents.

For university and college students, there are various scholarships available. Scholarships can be found on the websites of specific institutions.

While some scholarships require students to be enrolled in a certain program at the time of application, others do not.

Student Visa Requirements For New Zealand

International students wishing to study in New Zealand will need to obtain a student visa. The visa requirements vary based on the applicant’s age and, of course, the type of trip they intend to take. The applicant must have enough funds in their bank account to maintain themselves while in New Zealand. The amount of money needed varies by country, but it is normally around 50,000 (NZD) each year or 3400 (NZD) per month. The candidate must also be at least 18 years old and have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity.

Post Study Opportunities in New Zealand

Post-graduate study opportunities are offered in New Zealand for students who wish to continue their education after graduating. These postgraduate programs are offered by several universities and institutes. New Zealand has a low cost of living, making it an attractive site for students to pursue their further education. There are several types of post-study possibilities accessible in New Zealand such as Master’s, Doctoral, and MBA programs. These programs allow students to pursue their passions while studying abroad.

Final Note

If you’re considering studying in New Zealand, you’re undoubtedly wondering how to study in New Zealand. We understand how difficult it can be to determine the best way to study in New Zealand. As a result, we have produced this ultimate guide to help you in making the move to study in New Zealand. We hope you find it beneficial and begin your application now!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *