Study in New Zealand

Location and Geography

New Zealand is an island country situated about 2,000 km (1250 miles) southeast of Australia, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It has two main islands (North Island and South Island) and a number of smaller islands. The South Island is the largest land mass and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps. The North Island is less mountainous but marked by volcanism. New Zealand, with a total area of 268,680 square kilometers, is comparable in size to Great Britain, Japan, or Colorado. Its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Its capital city is Wellington, the southernmost national capital in the world. Students from all over the world come to study in New Zealand.

Study in New Zealand

A vibrant nation offering excellent study opportunities in a safe environment, New Zealand was the first country to adopt a code of practice that sets out standards for the care of international students, in and out of the classroom thus ensuring that they are well taken care of. The international students can enjoy a quality lifestyle at very affordable costs of living. There are around 4,000 Indian students in New Zealand & issued about 3,800 visas in this academic year. The job market in the New Zealand is still hot. It is good place to find work with good salary levels.

New Zealand is the only country that provides a one-year job search visa, regardless of the course pursued by a student. The educational institutes are divided into Universities, Institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITP’s) and Private Training Establishments (PTE’S). These qualifications are recognized all across the world.

Education System in New Zealand

Education system in New Zealand follows the three-tier model of primary, secondary, and tertiary or post-secondary. This generally includes universities, private institutions, colleges, and polytechnics. New Zealand's educational institutions offer quality secondary school education, a well-established network of English-language schools, and internationally respected and recognized tertiary education providers. Post-secondary education is regulated by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). As well as state-owned education providers, there are approximately 860 private training establishments (PTEs) in New Zealand. They are privately owned and funded, although some of their courses attract government funding and they include quality English-language providers. They offer a wide variety of courses that lead to qualifications in a large range of vocations from scuba diving to hospitality to business. NZQA requires that Private Training Establishments (PTEs) have adequate protection of student fees and tuition. Polytechnics offer education and training at tertiary levels ranging from introductory studies through to full degree programme. They deliver technical, vocational, and professional education. There are 23 polytechnics or institutes of technology in New Zealand.

Required Tests

New Zealand colleges and universities accept either TOFEL or IELTS scores as proof of English proficiency.

IELTS Academic Requirement

• Diplomas (Levels 5 and 6)-Overall score of 5.5 band
• Bachelor’s degree and graduate diplomas (Level 7)–Overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 5.5
• Master’s degrees (Level 9) –Overall band score of 6.5 & band score of 6.0 in all bands

Cost of Education

• Undergraduate degree: NZ$ 18,000 - NZ$ 25,000 per year
• Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma: NZ$ 10,000 - NZ$ 20,000 per year
• Post –graduate Degree: NZ$ 20,000 - NZ$ 30,000

Cost of Living

Estimated Living Expenses: NZ$10,000-NZ$ 12,000 P.A