STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand’s educational institutions are well regarded throughout the world. There is a great range of opportunities available to international students here.

Education System

Primary school

Ages 5-10 (Years 1-6)

Primary school students study subjects guided by New Zealand National Curriculum: English, the arts, health and physical education, languages, mathematics and statistics, science, social sciences and technology.

Students’ abilities in reading, writing and maths are regularly assessed against expectations for their age level, as set out by New Zealand’s National Standards.

Intermediate school

Ages 11-12(Years 7-8)

Intermediate schools are a bridge between primary school and secondary school.

Primary education starts at Year 1 and continues through to Year 8. Years 7 and 8 are offered either at a primary school or at a separate intermediate school.

Secondary school

Ages 13-18 (Years 9-13)

New Zealand has three types of school:
  • state schools, where 85% of Kiwi children go
  • state-integrated schools, which may be run by a religious faith or use specialist teaching methods
  • private schools.

Students at secondary schools – also known as high schools or colleges – work towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Secondary schools also offer some vocational subjects, such as tourism and computing.

Some schools also offer Cambridge International Examinations and International Baccalaureate programmes.

Tertiary education

Ages 18+

New Zealand has eight state-funded universities, 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and about 550 Private Training Establishments (PTEs), which include English language schools.

Choose the type of institution that’s best for your career path:

  • Universities offer higher degree-level education. Programmes are research-led and generally academic rather than vocational. In the 2015/16 QS World University Rankings, all eight of New Zealand’s universities were in the top 100 in at least one subject.
  • ITPs and a few larger PTEs offer vocational degree-level education.
  • PTEs tend to offer specific vocational programmes, mainly at certificate and diploma level.

Visa types

• If you want to study a full-time course in New Zealand that’s longer than three months in total duration, you’ll need a student visa.

• If you want to take a short course of study while you’re in New Zealand, a visitor visa may be the best choice of visa for you.

• If you want to stay in New Zealand to get some practical work experience after you’ve completed your qualification, you can apply for a post-study work visa.

You can work for any employer for up to one year on a post-study work visa (open).

You can apply for a two year post-study work visa (employer assisted), if you have an offer of full-time work in the same area as your qualification.

Five steps to studying in New Zealand

1.Choose what to study

Choose your programme, course and institution. There are high-quality educational institutions in every region in New Zealand, so you’ll have lots of places to choose from.

2.Plan your budget

You may be able to support your studies by gaining an international student scholarship or working for up to 20 hours a week.

3.Apply for your course

Now you’ve chosen what to study, contact your institution to ask about entry requirements and confirm your costs.

4.Apply for your visa

You’ll need a student visa if you’re coming to New Zealand to study for more than three months. Visit Immigration NZ to check your eligibility and start your online application.

5.Get ready to go

Organise your travel, get health and travel insurance, and decide whether to stay in a flat, hall of residence or homestay. A New Zealand Government code of practice requires all educational institutions to ensure international students are well informed, safe and properly cared for.