Benefits of studying in regional New Zealand

In New Zealand, the hospitality industry is a huge part of the economy. Queenstown is a tourist mecca, a hotspot for people from all over the world in snowy winters as well as warm summers. As a result, the demand for staff in restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions is high. 

Due to its central location in the South Island, Christchurch offers students easy access to farms, hospitals, schools and wineries across the island. Wherever you are, you’re only a few hours from places that give your studies life.

For farming, Nelson in the north is famed for its wine, there are cropping farms in mid Canterbury, high country sheep farms in the McKenzie Country or dairy farms in the far south. 

ARA and UC work together for a Master of Health Sciences for nursing study. This gives students the best of both worlds—a world-class academic course, with hands-on learning and job placements through ARA.

Depending on the region and the skills that are in demand, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Nelson is one of the most gorgeous spots in NZ. With a warm climate, beautiful beaches and great fish and chip shops, you’ll find the living is easy.

The courses at NMIT Nelson are varied, but in the local area you can expect employment in tourism, wine making, and viticulture.

• Bachelor of Viticulture and winemaking
• NZ Certificate in Horticulture Production
• NZ Certificate in Cellar Operations
• Adventure Tourism and Guiding

Invercargill has some of the most affordable housing in NZ. With wide streets, hardly any traffic, and a family atmosphere, it’s a great place to live. It is also the gateway to some of the most isolated, beautiful, and rare places to visit in NZ.

There’s a huge variety of courses at SIT Invercargill, but the local region offers good employment in farming, and tourism.

• Diploma in Hospitality Management
• NZ Diploma in Cookery
• NZ Diploma in tourism and Travel
• Bachelor of Environmental Management
• NZ Certificate in Animal Technology
• Post Graduate Diploma/Master’s in Engineering

SIT Queenstown is a bustling town with a huge tourism focus. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to work in the industry. When you’re not working, there’s skiing or snowboarding, summer watersports, and loads of trekking.

While there’s a range of business, science, and education courses, the hospitality courses provide a springboard into employment in the local region.

• Graduate diploma in Hotel Management
• NZ Diploma in Tourism and Travel
• Diploma in Culinary Excellence
• Short courses for baristas, bread making, and liquor licensing.

With Sumner, Governors Bay and New Brighton beaches within a 20 minute drive, you have gorgeous coastlines to explore. The Port Hills are a cyclist, trekker or runners dream, with tracks cris-crossing the hills. Hagley Park in the centre of town has tracks and range of free sports courts, as well as some of the most beautiful blossom in spring. The city is flat, easy to navigate and has a great dining scene.

A huge range of courses from art to vet sciences and everything in between. ARA Polytechnic is a more hands-on degree than a traditional university, with loads of on the job industry training. Because of Christchurch’s location, consider:

• Baking, chef training, tourism, and hospitality. The on-site restaurant allows you to practice your skills on friendly paying members of the public.

Located not far from the centre of town, UC is one of the top 300 universities in the world. It has a 5 Star QS ranking for teaching and research. You can get a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degrees here. In particular, they excel in:

• Agriculture and applied biological sciences
• Engineering and technology
• Chemistry
• Nursing
• Primary and secondary teaching

AEI is a privately owned institution that has created a range of English and business programmes for international students.

• Business leadership, management and marketing
• English for academia, specialist areas, or general
• Health related courses, Disabilities & Mental Health courses, Pharmacy Technician

Located out of the main city, Lincoln University has a more rural outlook on life. While still providing internationally recognised degrees, Lincoln differentiates itself from UC by focusing on:

• Farming, including agriculture and horticulture
• Viticulture (wine making), with the first tertiary level wine production programme for cool climates
• Environmental studies
• Food and wine
• Tourism

If you want to study in NZ, or intend to move there in the future, then regional study is a great option. Book an appointment with your counsellor to find out what location and course could help you in your goals.