Why Study in New Zealand?

New Zealand high schools regularly perform with the best in the English speaking world. The quality of our schools is monitored by the NZ Education Review Office (ERO) and reports on any high school can be found in its web site. Our qualification standards are set by the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA).

Our Universities are all rated in the top 500 internationally and in some fields of study are up with the very best in the world. The father of Atomic Physics, Ernest Rutherford ( 1871-1937), was a graduate of Nelson Boys College and Canterbury University before becoming a Professor of Physics at Oxford . Sir Edmund Hillary was first to the summit of Everest. Sir John Hood was Vice Chancellor of Oxford University from 2003-2009. The winner of last Year’s International Booker prize for Literature was New Zealander Eleanor Catton.….. The country has produced countless top international performers in the arts and sport.

New Zealand qualifications are recognised throughout the British Commonwealth, the English speaking world, the EU and many other countries.

New Zealand has a world reputation in Information and Communications Technology and has pioneered a number of initiatives in this field.

Many institutions in New Zealand are at the head of their game, leading several new technological developments which means students have access to a lot advanced technology. Consequently, New Zealand produces top graduates who go to become pioneers in their industries, on a world-class scale. The ‘Americas Cup Satellite Mapping System’ was developed in Dunedin, New Zealand. The expertise of the New Zealand film industry is clearly portrayed in the special effects of Peter Jackson’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, ‘King Kong’ and Andrew Adamson’s ‘Narnia’, all of which were filmed in New Zealand.

Thousands of international students are choosing to study in New Zealand every year, to experience the ‘kiwi lifestyle’, and improve their job prospects in the global marketplace.

New Zealand is a diverse country of many cultures, and home to migrants and international students from all over the world. Kiwis are easy going people by nature, and they embrace different lifestyles and opinions.

New Zealanders are well travelled, and have a genuine interest in people from other cultures. Visitor and international students often talk about being made to feel very welcome and ‘at home’ when they come to New Zealand. Campuses are highly international, with students from all around the world studying and socialising together.

All New Zealand schools and institutions abide by a Code of Practice for Pastoral Care that helps ensure the safety and well-being of their international students.

New Zealand offers the perfect blend of urban and outdoor adventure. New Zealand’s modern cities have a vibrant nightlife, and we have an endless appetite for new cafes, bars and restaurants and shops.

New Zealand has some of the world’s most stunning and picturesque scenery. And with the compact size of the country, you can live in the heart of an urban environment and be within easy reach of New Zealand’s stunning landscape and wide open spaces. New Zealand students enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreational activities such as skiing, tramping, surfing, mountain biking, fishing, rock climbing, all a short drive away from the any New Zealand town or city.

This means New Zealand students enjoy a healthy study/life balance – some say it’s the best in the world.

Some students with a student visa may be able to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) and full-time during scheduled holidays, although their chosen programme will need to meet certain requirements in order to be eligible.

Please see the Immigration New Zealand website to find out more about working while you study.

Working part time is an appealing option to many international students, who enjoy having the opportunity to subsidise their living costs and lifestyle while they study.

If an international student successfully completes their degree (or diploma*) programme successfully, they are entitled to a 1 year work permit. This allows students to work full time in any job of their choice. However an international student is wanting to get permanent residency in New Zealand, they will have to find a job that is directly related to their qualification.

* Level 7 or above. Other conditions apply. See Immigration New Zealand website.