A guide to the education landscape in New Zealand for international students

NZ tertiary degrees are highly respected around the world. High academic standards, excellent real-life opportunities, and encouraging innovation set your Kiwi degree above the rest.

The NZ tertiary education system is renown world-wide for fantastic teachers, a quality education and excellent teaching community. There’s a strong link between study and practicality, making NZ student graduates highly sought after in employment. NZ ranks third in the world in the ‘Educating for the Future Index’ for its socio-economic environment. With a strong sense of gender equality, civic freedom, tolerance and diversity, NZ is highly conducive to learning. It’s also ranked in the top five for its education policy, which includes critical thinking and digital skills.

The education landscape of NZ

New Zealand has a school system modelled on the UK education arrangement. It’s similar to the Australian system, with eight years of primary school (in Australia, they have only seven years), followed by five years of secondary ‘high’ school, then tertiary options. There are a range of institutions across NZ in the tertiary sector.

• Government owned University

• Government owned Te Pukenga Institute of Technology/ Polytechnics

• On-the-job trade apprenticeships with polytechnic components

• Private training establishments

• English language schools

NZ Universities

The universities of NZ provide highly respected degrees and qualifications. Their degrees are ranked along the best in the world, with an emphasis on research. From certificates through to doctorates, and in almost any subject imaginable, there are eight universities to choose from:

Te Pukenga Institute of Technology/ Polytechnics

Called ‘tech’ or ‘polytech’, polytechnics are generally more hands-on than universities. Their courses range from foundational certificates through to postgrad degrees. Their courses are designed to provide real-life knowledge and skills you’ll need in the workplace. Trades such as builders, refrigeration engineers or electricians use polytechnics for the paper-based learning and theory while the students work full time in their intended profession. There are currently 16 polytechnics in NZ, which look likely to be merged into one in the near future.

• Ara Institute of Canterbury

• Eastern Institute of Technology

• MIT Manukau Institute of Technology

• Nelson Marlborough Insitute of Technology (NMIT)

• Otago Polytechnic

• Southern Institute of Technology

• Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

• Unitec

• UCOL Universal College of Learning

• Waikato Institute of Technology WINTEC

• Wellington Institute of Technology WELTEC

• Whitireia

• Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT)

Private Training Establishments

These institutes offer specialised learning and are privately owned. They provide top quality educations that are recognised under the NZQA education framework. These are highly specialised niche educators.

• Professional Business and Restaurant School (PBRS)

• International Travel College of NZ

• Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand

• New Zealand Tertiary College

• Whitecliffe

• Alpha Education

• Aspire 2 (Ntec)/ Concordia Institute of Business

• Auckland Institute of Studies

English Language Schools

To improve your English, these schools provide foundational or advanced courses. Living in NZ you’ll be immersed in English, ensuring you quickly learn, use, and retain the language.

• AUT International House

• Languages International

• The English Language Academy

• Christchurch College of English Language

Scholarships for international students

There are a range of scholarship options available for international students. These may cover tuition fees, living costs, or both. Some will be available through the individual institution, and you need to apply following their instructions. In particular, SIT is offering some excellent scholarship options for international students. The NZ Government Scholarship website lets you check and find out what you are eligible for based on your location and choice of study.

Popular courses in NZ for international students

Nursing

All nursing roles are in demand, from general nursing and aged care through to psychiatric. As a result, the courses available are of an excellent quality and accessible throughout the country. Otago University and University of Auckland are known for their medical and health courses, while nursing courses are offered by a wide range of tertiary education providers throughout the country.

Teaching

Both secondary and primary school teachers are in short supply in NZ particularly in the regions. Math teachers will have their pick of roles. University of Auckland, AUT, Massey, University of Canterbury, and University of Waikato offer teaching courses from ECE to primary and secondary levels. NZ Tertiary College focus on ECE Education courses. Another very popular course in this field is the Master of Teaching ECE program offered by Toiohomai. NZ Tertiary College offers a range of early childhood undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Social work

All child, youth and family roles are in demand, as well as counselling and social work. The University of Waikato, Auckland University, Canterbury University and Massey University offer a range of social work courses.

Engineering

Most universities offer a selection of engineering degrees, from computer to civil engineering. Mechanical, mechatronics, electrical engineering, software engineering and civil engineering are specialisations favoured by many students, which are provided by a wide range of universities and polytechnics. Christchurch University is renowned for its civil engineering, construction, and aerospace engineering courses. There is also a Graduate Diploma in Engineering specialising in Highways course, delivered in partnership between WITT & NZIHT. Auckland University is best known for their mechanical engineering course. Whitecliffe offers a range of certificates and diplomas in IT, web development, networking and software development.

Hospitality

Always a tourist destination, NZ is known for incredible scenery, adrenalin-based activities, and untouched nature. This has led to hospitality becoming one of the biggest industries in the country. A role in this industry gives you stable employment in some of the most beautiful locations in the world. Take tour groups in Queenstown, be a chef in Nelson, or work in a vineyard in the Wairarapa. Learn at PBRS, ITC, ARA, Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand as well as traditional tertiary institutions such as SIT and AUT.

Regional study in NZ

As with many other countries, NZ has skills shortages in some industries and regions. If you have a qualification in one of those industries, it can provide you with extra points to strengthen your visa application. This applies more in the regions, outside of Auckland and Wellington. If you’re prepared to work in a small town, this can help strengthen your application.

Starting university in NZ

If you have just completed highschool, your university will likely require you complete a foundation year (although these sometimes can be accelerated if the student meets certain criteria). These courses help to teach:

• Independent, critical thinking skills

• Computer use and how to research

• Basic essential subject knowledge for the course the student intends to undertake, for example, English, accounting, computer science.

You must be proficient in English. While each course or uni has different requirements, in general a ranking of 6.0 overall on IELTS is acceptable for many degrees. Some universities also categorise students into streams based on their English abilities. There is English language support offered at all NZ universities. Typically, these include services such as:

• Advice about your English and what, if any, improvement is needed

• Group English learning

• Exam preparation

• English writing workshops for academic essays

• Online English language resources

Working rights in NZ for international students

While you are living in NZ on a student visa, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week and work full time during semester break if your course meets the conditions. English language students can work part time if the course is 14 weeks or longer, and full time. While you work in NZ, you have full employment rights, the same as any Kiwi citizen. This includes:

• No fees charged for employment

• A written employment agreement

• Payment of at least the minimum wage

• Annual holidays and public holiday entitlements

• Paid rest breaks and unpaid meal breaks

• Wages paid to you in full with nothing removed unless agreed to in writing

• You must be treated fairly, with respect, and no discrimination

Cost of living in NZ

NZ’s cost of living is comparable to other OECD countries. However, NZ also has a high standard of living with great work-life balance, making it very attractive for international students.

Tuition fees

Fees for an undergraduate degree range of $22,000 to $32,000, with the more intensive subjects costing more. A postgraduate degree will generally cost between $26,000 and $40,000.

Day to day cost of living

When applying for a student visa, you must be able to provide evidence that you have at least $15,000 in order to support yourself each year. Living costs vary across the regions and cities, with Auckland and Queenstown being the most expensive, and Southland the cheapest. There are also extra living costs in big centres, such as travel. It’s recommended that you’ll need between $18,000 and $30,000 a year to live a comfortable lifestyle.

• Median rental per week in NZ $565

• Average food cost a week $80 (no takeaways)

• Electricity costs per month depends on how much you use. Average costs for a small home are between $150 and $250

• Phone/ internet are more expensive than other countries. A basic phone plan with calls and texting costs around $20 a month.

• Public transport may not always be available in all centres. Trains and buses will be subsidised with proof you are a student.

Your health and wellbeing in NZ

Things can go wrong, and you may need support and understanding to help manage situations that can arise. The top universities and polytechnics provide excellent pastoral care for their international students. They want you to be safe, healthy, and supported so you can achieve your very best. Educators in NZ, by law, must take all reasonable steps to protect international students and ensure that you have a positive experience. What this looks like will differ across institutions, you can expect that academic staff should support you as best they can.

Contact IDP today

To explore study options in NZ, make your application, or apply for a visa, contact IDP. With years of experience helping international student succeed in NZ, we can set you up for success.