Let’s get you acquainted with New Zealand’s education system:

New Zealand is famous not only for its beautiful landscapes but is also well known for its reputed education system. New Zealand has a progressive education system and is amongst the top 20 nations offering quality education. It has a safe and welcoming environment, making the country a smart education destination for international students.

The UK based education system followed in New Zealand makes it a preferred destination for international education aspirants. Higher education in New Zealand offers various alternatives as per students’ choices, such as universities, colleges, private institutions, and polytechnics.

Here’s why studying in New Zealand is a great choice:

• → New Zealand has only eight universities and all of these universities have appeared in the QS World University Ranking top 500 in 2019.
• → New Zealand’s Higher education system was ranked at 16th position globally in the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings in 2018.
• → New Zealand is home to numerous modern universities that are world leaders in research and innovation.
• → The institutes have an international outlook and curriculum.
• → All campuses provide all contemporary facilities with extensive focus on student support services.
• → All the 8 universities in New Zealand for international students are government-funded. Hence, they have great resources to provide a quality education system in New Zealand for international students.
• → New Zealand institutions offer "work-ready" programmes and internships, ensuring that students can connect with New Zealand based firms and multinational companies.
• → The PhD and MBA courses in New Zealand are also recognised across the world and your degree will be Quality Assured by the New Zealand Government.
• → New Zealand also comes across as highly modern, safe, and prosperous, with boundless opportunity for people of all nationalities.

A huge number of international students choose New Zealand each year as their study destination, owing to its welcoming environment.

Academic excellence, experienced faculties, globally recognised qualifications, brilliant teaching approach and abundant research opportunities, the education system of New Zealand will give you an exposure like never before. Learning here comes with an international outlook that prepares students for employment all over the world.

Rest assured, with a great education system in place, you can live, study and experience a culture with plenty of tourist attractions and well-equipped transportation facilities.

Intakes to Study in New Zealand:

New Zealand universities and institutions offer two major intakes. In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester. The two intakes available in New Zealand are:

• → February to June
• → July to November

Admissions for vocational courses may also be available in the months of March, April and May.

Universities in New Zealand set their structure of tuition fees. Thus, tuition fees may vary depending on the college, course, and level. The tuition fee in New Zealand’s University ranges from NZ$ 19,000 to NZ$ 50,000 annually.

International undergraduate students are expected to spend between NZ$ 20,000 & NZ$ 32,000 per year, with higher fees for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science.

International master’s student annual fees will range between NZ$ 19,000 and NZ$ 30,000.

Most commonly humanities, arts and education courses are cheaper, while subjects such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study at postgraduate level, the tuition fees are typically higher and the costs vary depending on the program. As with most other countries, MBA programs are often the most expensive. The average cost for these programs ranges between NZ$ 31,000 - NZ$ 50,000 (indicative).

Students have various accommodation options in New Zealand, such as residence halls, shared flats, or private flats, and rent might differ from place to place. The accommodation cost may go up to NZ$ 15,000 annually according to high commission.

Here are some examples of course costs, listed in NZD:

• → Undergraduate degree NZ$ 20,500 - NZ$ 25,000* annually.
• → Master's degree NZ$ 19,000 - NZ$29,000* annually.
• → Doctoral degree NZ$ 6,500 - NZ$ 9,000* annually.
• → MBA NZ$ 31,000 - NZ$ 50,000* annually.

* Please note that all figures are indicative.

If you want to bring down your educational expenses, it is best to apply to various scholarships available for international students.

We know that tertiary study in New Zealand can be expensive, but many institutions recognise this and provide scholarships to honour your commitment to your studies.

To support international students, the New Zealand Government offers Scholarships for International students which include Full-fledged tuition fees, an establishment allowance, international students insurance in New Zealand and Travel allowance during the course tenure (allowed based on the length of scholarship).

Some of the scholarships offered by the New Zealand Government are:

• → Scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
• → International Doctoral Research Scholarships.

These scholarships are specifically designed to ease some of the burden for high-achieving and disadvantaged students, so you can concentrate on achieving the best possible results without being concerned about money.

It is mandatory for all students travelling to New Zealand from other country to get medical insurance before the commencement of their program. During the visa application process, international students need to declare that they will purchase international student health cover to safeguard them until the time they study in New Zealand.

Several New Zealand schools and universities have initiated comprehensive health insurance plans for international students, but that is applicable as long your program is ongoing and ceases upon completion. Certain colleges may not offer any insurance, and hence you will have to arrange for private medical insurance (your AEES counsellor will guide you with the same). The average cost for medical insurance ranges between NZ$ 200 – NZ$ 700 a year (indicative). Extensive health and support services are readily available for all international students in New Zealand.

For international students opting to study in New Zealand, the health cover system can be of either public healthcare system (subsidised heavily by the New Zealand Government), or private health cover system (to seek medical treatment privately). All international students will be mandated to have health insurance cover in New Zealand.

Why need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC):

OSHC is one of the prerequisites to apply for the student visa. It is one of the documents you enclose while applying for the student visa. Apart from the fact it is mandatory, OSHC is very beneficial as it covers a wide range of medical expenses. When you complete your application, you will be asked to provide proof of payment as well as confirmation that your OSHC coverage begins when you arrive in New Zealand.

Students are recommended to purchase health cover even before they travel New Zealand – this will save them from issues like getting sick on arriving at New Zealand or getting injured in a day or two soon after reaching their accommodation.

Health insurance is quite affordable for international students. For instance, yearly health and travel insurance cover in association with StudentSafe (a popular choice with students) is approx. NZ$ 590.

An international education can be a strain on a student’s budget. In New Zealand, most students enrolled in a course of 12 months' duration or longer can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during semester and during holiday periods. International students are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week but need to check on your visa terms. There are terms and conditions when you work while studying in New Zealand, International students should hold a valid student visa, which specifies whether the student is permitted to work or not, and student can only work for 20 hours per week.

Post Study Work Permit (PSW) in New Zealand

It's beneficial to gain work experience while you study in New Zealand. It helps to develop interpersonal skills, management, communication skills, confidence, and along with that, you can manage expenses.

International students can further apply for a work visa in New Zealand for up to 3 years after completion of their study depending on the academic performance. Work visa in New Zealand lasts for 1,2, or 3 years depends on qualification level.

This not only helps top up the bank balance, but also provides an excellent opportunity to integrate in the community and meet new people.