Study in New Zealand

New Zealand has an international reputation as a provider of quality education. It has a progressive education system with many state of the art facilities. It offers a safe learning environment with excellent study opportunities and support services for international students. Courses are available for academic, professional and vocational studies at New Zealand institutions - universities, polytechnics and institutes of technology, colleges of education, secondary schools and private training establishments.

The academic system in New Zealand places a lot of emphasis on independent study. All are national or public universities and are duly accredited by the New Zealand government having been established through acts of parliament.

There are eight government-funded universities providing undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Some also offer foundation programmes. Whilst all offer a broad range of degree subjects, each university has its own specialised courses.

The 25 government-funded Polytechnics and Institutes of Technologyoffer a wide variety of programmes. They offer a wide variety of programmes that can be both academically and vocationally focused.

New Zealand is internationally recognised for its excellent education standards and as a provider of quality teachers. There are six government-funded specialist education institutions, two operating from within universities, and the others offering their programmes in collaboration with their local university. They offer training for teachers from early childhood to primary, secondary, special and tertiary (higher education) level.

Private Tertiary and Training Establishments offer a range of programmes including professional certificates, diplomas and degrees in a diverse range of subjects including art, the hospitality industry, computer studies, secretarial studies, quality management, ecotourism and others.

Lifestyle

New Zealanders value fresh thinking and teach original thinking.

The New Zealand unique lifestyle is possibly one of the biggest attractions for a lot of overseas professionals thinking of migrating.  Measured in terms of education and employment, equality and opportunity, health and personal safety, housing and the physical environment, leisure satisfaction, quality of working life and social welfare provisions, New Zealand’s standard of living is relatively high. 

New Zealand has a wide range of indigenous and imported food. They are the major producer of pasture-fed lamb; venison and beef and dairy products are abundant and inexpensive. Rice is available in all supermarkets.

Almost all types of fruit are available in the shops. New Zealanders generally have a balanced diet of vegetables with either meat or fish as their main meal. Dinner (in the evening) is usually considered the main meal.

There are many types of restaurants, coffee shops, take-away and fast food outlets. They range from very exclusive and expensive evening restaurants to casual dining. As well as New Zealand-style food, students will also find every sort of international and ethnic cuisine.

English is common and everyday language of New Zealanders. New Zealand is a multi-cultural society and you may hear many other languages spoken, including maori, which is also an official language of New Zealand.

Population

New Zealand has a diverse and multicultural society with those of European extraction accounting for approximately 70% of the population. Approximately 13% of the population is Maori, 3% Polynesian and the balance is made up of a variety of ethnic peoples. Dutch, South Africans, Chinese, Indians are just a few who have settled in New Zealand over the years.

Auckland is the largest city, and the world’s largest Polynesian city, with a population of over 1.1 million people.   Wellington and Christchurch are the next largest cities with approximately 300,000 residents each. Christchurch is the largest of the South Island cities.

Statistics indicate that the population of New Zealand was 3, 825,700 people in December 1999.  By 2050 it is projected there will be 4.5 million people living in New Zealand. This is on a land mass roughly the size of Japan, the United Kingdom or Italy.

Visa Procedures

When applying for Student Visa, you will need to include:

1. Complete 'Application for Student Visa' Forms.
2. A recent passport-size photograph.
3. Payment of a non-refundable visa application fee.
4. An 'Offer of Place' from a New Zealand education school or institution which states that you have been accepted by the school, the name of the course, the minimum time to complete the course and the course fee.
5. Evidence of sufficient funds to cover the tuition fee and living and other expenses.
6. Academic certificates and Marksheets.
7. Proof of accommodation in New Zealand.

Note: Students are not required to produce evidence of payment of course fees before their applications are approved in principle.

Weather

New Zealand is in the same hemisphere as South America, South Africa and Australia.  The climate is temperate with moderate year-round rainfall and in the North Island especially, an absence of extreme temperatures. 

The sea moderates the climate bringing mild temperatures and a reliable climate throughout the year. The country is close to the International dateline and it is claimed that Gisborne, on the East Coast of the North Island is the first city in the world to see the light of each new day.

October to April is the warmest months and May to September are the coolest. A typical summers day in the North will range in temperature between 21 and 28 degrees centigrade (72 and 86 Fahrenheit), while a midwinters day will rarely fall below 11 or 12 degrees centigrade (around 52 Fahrenheit).

Snow is generally not seen at sea level, though there is an abundance of snow during winter in the South Island high country and in the mountain ranges in the North Island. Both the North and South Islands have ample winter ski fields, with the South Island renowned for the majesty of its mountains and beauty of its woodlands, lakes and rivers.

Nelson, at the top of the South Island is the sunniest city in the country, however most of the country enjoys over 2000 hours of sunshine per year. The country is pollution free, and recently enacted legislation ensures that the country will remain that way.

Geography

New Zealand is long and narrow, stretching a distance of 1600 kilometres in a North to South direction and being no more than 450 kilometres wide, at its widest point. The North and South Islands have a combined area of approximately 268,000 square kilometres.

New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific, approximately 6,500 miles (10,400 kilometers) south west of North America and 1,400 miles (2,250 kilometers) east of Australia.

Currency

The New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents.

It is normally written with the dollar sign $, or NZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is often informally known as the "Kiwi (dollar)", kiwi typically being associated with New Zealand, and the $1 coin depicts a kiwi. It is one of the 12 most-traded currencies in the world.

FAQ

How much will it cost to live in New Zealand?

It's recommended that tertiary students budget for up to NZ$10,000 for living expenses per year. Which can include the food accommodation, using of public transport, telephone charges, entertainment and other miscellaneous costs. The living costs are very versatile, as it will vary based on the lifestyle of the student.

How much is the tuition fee?

The cost of education, in particular, is very competitive, which means that in New Zealand, you can afford a world-class education with a very competitive price tag. The cost would range anywhere between NZ$ 6,500 to NZ$ 18,000 per year. This would vary from institutions to institutions and course to course.

When do the courses commence?

The university year begins in late February or early March with an orientation week, and ends in October. Each university has its own timetable but generally the year is divided into two semesters of about 12 weeks each. Most courses are “full year” courses, i.e. they last through both semesters, but some courses only take one semester, so that it is sometimes possible to start university study in July. Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics classes have two semesters, February to June and July to November.

What kind of student accommodation is available?

New Zealand provides a wide array of accommodations to choose from. Most of the universities provide accommodation in halls of residence/hostels but other options like private houses/apartments, home stay with New Zealand family, etc are widely available at affordable costs.

Can I work part -time while studying?

Students undertaking a full-time course of study culminating in a recognized diploma or degree, taking at least one academic year to complete & students undertaking a full time course of study culminating in a qualification that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category may be granted a variation of conditions to their student permit to allow them to work for 20 hours per week and fulltime during term breaks.

Are international students eligible to receive free health/medical care while studying in New Zealand?

International students are not entitled to publicly funded health/medical care services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. It has now become compulsory under New Zealand law for international students to have travel / health insurance before coming here to study.

Is it possible to work in New Zealand after completing studies?

After completing a polytechnic or university qualification that has a minimum completion time of two years, students can apply for a work permit that allows them to work up to a maximum of two years. An offer of employment relevant to qualifications is required.

Can I enroll in an online course of study?

If you are a student visa holder you are not permitted to enroll in online courses. The only exception would be if the online course were additional to your full time load.

Is GRE, GMAT required for admission?

Yes, Apart from the Academic marks the only requirement for any course is IELTS. Hence the students need not do GRE. But some universities may require GMAT for MBA programs assessment.

What is an IELTS and how do I take the exam?

IELTS (International English language testing system) examinations test the English proficiency of students in the area of their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. The British Council and IDP administer this examination. They offer tests in both General and Academic English. Universities only accept the academic English test results. Please visit www.ielts.org to find an IELTS center close to you.

Is IELTS mandatory for New Zealand?

No, IELTS is not mandatory. Students with a CBSE background in their Year 10 & 12 with a minimum English score of 65% are exempted from IELTS. However, this is not a conclusive evidence of your English proficiency, hence we recommend you to undertake IELTS assessment before applying for any course in any country.

I am waiting for my final results/IELTS; can I still submit my application to the University?

Yes you can submit your application to the university. However, it is Your responsibility to ensure that you complete your application by submitting the test report at the earliest. You can receive an offer letter from the university/college conditional upon the required IELTS score.

Can I study part-time?

No. All international students have to study full time to meet the requirement of their student permit with the NZ Immigration Services. However, a student on a NZ work permit is allowed to take a paper as part time, as long as they apply for a variation of conditions on their work permit with NZ Immigration Services.

Will the University help me in finding job placement when I’ve graduated?

No. But the University offers regular career fairs where employers can meet with students who will soon graduate. The Student Job Service located on campus also has a current listing of positions available both for student jobs and graduate positions. There is also a Careers Center located in Student Services, which helps students to male informed career decisions about how they might use their qualifications and abilities to achieve their career goals. As a universal requirement if the student performs the course of study well all the expectations of the students will fall in place to achieve the career goal.

If I don’t meet the entry requirements for a postgraduate programme, are there any alternatives available to me?

Yes, the students can enroll for Postgraduate Foundation or Graduate Diploma programs to prepare graduates for postgraduate study. If the students enroll for bridging courses the duration of the masters degree will be more than the usual years of study.

For further queries regarding studying in New Zealand, feel free to contact us.