Know all about the intakes available in New Zealand

New Zealand is a popular destination for international students seeking high-quality education and a unique cultural experience. The country offers a wide range of programs and courses at its universities and colleges, with intakes available throughout the year. In 2025, international students can expect two main intakes for their studies in New Zealand, with start dates varying depending on the institution. This article will provide an overview of the New Zealand intakes for 2025, including the application deadlines, and other important information for international students planning to study in New Zealand.

Intakes in New Zealand 2025

New Zealand has two main intakes for international students in 2025:

  1. Semester One: The first intake for the year starts in February or March 2025, depending on the institution. This intake is also known as the Autumn intake.

  2. Semester Two: The second intake for the year starts in July or August 2025, depending on the institution. This intake is also known as the Spring intake.

  3. Rolling Intakes: One of the unique features of the New Zealand education system is the availability of rolling intakes, also known as flexible intakes. Rolling intakes allow students to start their courses at different times of the year, rather than just at the beginning of traditional academic semesters.

This flexibility gives students the opportunity to choose the best time to begin their studies based on their individual circumstances, such as visa processing time, personal commitments, or work schedules. It also means that students can complete their studies at their own pace, taking a break if needed, or even accelerating their course completion by taking more units at once.

It's important to note that some programs may only have one intake per year, so it's important to check with the institution to confirm the intake dates for your specific program.

International students are encouraged to apply early to allow sufficient time for their study visa application to be processed. The application deadlines for each intake may vary depending on the institution and the program.
To apply for a New Zealand student visa, students will need to submit their application to Immigration New Zealand (INZ). It's important to note that the processing time may vary depending on the student's country of origin and the volume of applications being processed.

Overall, the New Zealand university intake for 2025 offers two main intakes for international students, Semester One and Semester Two, with varying start dates depending on the institution. It's important for international students to check the application deadlines and visa processing times for their specific program and intake.

Note: Admissions for vocational courses may also be available in the months of March, April, and May.

Which intake to opt for?

It can get a bit confusing to choose the intake that’s best for you. Consider factors like the availability of your preferred program, your academic records, entrance test scores, acceptance rates, job opportunities and your readiness to join the program whilst making a decision.

While most Indian students prefer the July intake, the February intake is equally good for certain programs. We suggest, that if you do not have your score cards ready, it’s better to skip the haste and apply for the next intake.

Here’s an overview of the intakes available for different programs in universities and colleges:

Program

Intake

Undergraduate and postgraduate in a
University

July
February

Vocational courses in institutes/colleges

February
March/April/May
July

*Deadlines vary basis the institution and your program. Please speak with your IDP counsellor for more information.

Missed the last intake? Here’s a timeline for the upcoming intake!

Do note, that not all undergraduate programmes will accept your application for Semester two. In order to make a well-informed decision, you can book a free counselling session with our experienced counsellors who can advise you on available intakes, course selection, application submission, and visa procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ques 1: Are all programs available in all intakes?
Ans: No, not all programs are available in all intakes. Some programs may only have one intake per year, while others may have multiple intakes.

Ques 2: Are there any specific application deadlines for each intake?
Ans: Yes, each intake will have its own application deadline. These deadlines may vary depending on the institution and the program.

Ques 3: Can international students apply for all intakes?
Ans: Yes, international students can apply for all intakes. However, it's important to check with the institution to ensure that they accept applications for the specific intake you are interested in.

Ques 4: Are there any advantages to starting in a particular intake?
Ans: Yes, each intake has its own advantages. For example, starting in Semester One allows students to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer daylight hours during the summer months, while starting in Semester Two may offer more opportunities for part-time work during the winter months.

Ques 5: Can students change their intake after applying?
Ans: It depends on the institution's policies. Some institutions may allow students to defer their admission to a different intake, while others may not allow changes once an offer of admission has been accepted.