New Zealand Education
The New Zealand education system is reputable for its centrally managed quality assurance system. International students studying in New Zealand will only ever be placed in institutions regulated by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Only NZQA institutions are registered to formally enrol international students and this ensures complete compliance with qualifications standards.
Whichever level you’re studying at, New Zealand education will help you to reach your goals. See which level best fits you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Studying in New Zealand
Research
Think about what you’d like to study, the school, institute or university you’d like to attend and the city that suits your lifestyle and budget.
Get an idea of the subject areas that interest you most, then look at some course descriptions, university reviews and their locations. Start a wish list of your preferences and begin to narrow down your selection.
Speak to us
When you’re ready, speak to us. We will work through all the big and small details to ensure the best possible fit between you, your future university and your area of study.
Make your application
After you’ve chosen your course and university, institute or school, it’s time to apply. We will support your applications. We will personally contact your chosen university, institute or school to make sure they support your application to improve your chances of acceptance.
If you need to take an English test to qualify for your course, you can go to IELTS New Zealand to prepare for your test with a wide range of official IELTS support material.
Accept your offer
Once the university, institute or school receives your application it will be assessed, and you will be notified of the result. It can take a few weeks (or longer for postgraduate courses) for your application to be processed.
If your application is successful, you’ll receive a letter of offer and an acceptance form. Before accepting your offer, we will read it carefully through with you and check any conditions that may apply.
If you’re accepted for more than one course or school, we’ll help you decide which option is best for you. It’s natural to be nervous as you wait for the outcome of your course applications.
Practice your English skills
It’s always a good idea to brush up your English skills. Have a chat with your friend or teacher and ask them for feedback.
Apply for a student visa
Now that you have been accepted, it’s time to apply for your student visa. We can provide you with some information to help make sure you are well prepared to navigate this process with the authorised migration departments. For more information, click here to know your study visa conditions.
You’re on your way
Congratulations! You’re off on a huge adventure. There are lots of things to think about during this time and we will help you with advice on matters such as exchanging money, insurance, SIM cards and opening a bank account.
Education Costs
The costs of studying in New Zealand will depend on the type of course, where you study and how long you study for. The list below gives you an indication of the range of course costs for several types of qualifications.
Primary School – from $11,000
Secondary School – from $13,000
Diplomas/certificates – For example, a 2-year New Zealand Diploma in Engineering for $18,500, or a one-term Certificate in Computing for $12,425
Bachelor’s degree – Fees range from $26,000 to $32,000. Fees for subjects like medicine and veterinary science are higher. Many bachelor’s degrees can be completed in three years.
Postgraduate degree – Fees range from about $26,000 to $37,000, with higher fees for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science.
PhDs – International PhD students pay the same as New Zealand PhD students, which is about $6,500 to $9,000 per year for most subjects.
English language courses – For example, you can study a general English course for $300 per week, or a Cambridge English exam course for $5,100 for 12 weeks.
Please visit institution websites directly to see costs for preferred courses.
Scholarships
Many scholarships are available to students of all nationalities, however all scholarships conditions are set by the institution or organisation offering the scholarship. Applications have to be done directly with the scholarship provider and to find out if you are eligible to receive a scholarship you must contact the organisation offering the scholarship.