Overview
The fear and worry of moving to a strange country may have us confused but not if you are thinking of New Zealand. New Zealand removes all challenges that plague a student’s decision. Welcome to the land of warmth and friends!
Why study in New Zealand?
● The cultural differences are not stark and it is easy to adapt
● It is a place that has adventure, beauty and scenic life in every moment and place
● It is well connected internationally
● Education is extremely affordable. There are quite a few scholarships and loans on offer
● Migration and immigration here are very easy and hassle-free. Visa approvals are high
● It is a resume-building nation. The opportunities for internships, apprenticeships are endless
● New Zealand stands second in the world ranking of Safe Countries
The education system in New Zealand has been designed keeping the cosmopolitan and multicultural nature of its demography in mind. Their ideas and approach towards teaching and education are quite diverse and liberal.
Education System
The education system here is divided into 3 levels-
● Early childhood education which is the level of education from birth to school entry age● Primary and secondary education the level from the age of 5- 19 years
● Further education the level of higher and vocational education
Vocational Education is provided through a number of programs. This is done to enable students in work or further educational programs.
Vocational programs are-
● Youth Guarantee
● Trades academies
● Institutes of technology
● TAFE (Technical and Further Education)
● Private training
● Wānanga (New Zealand has 3 state-owned Māori teaching and research institutions)
Institutions and Universities offer undergraduate, masters, and post-doctorate programs.The education system is bolstered by its state-of-art facilities. The NZQA (New Zealand Qualification Authority) maintains the educational standards ensuring that qualifications are recognised globally.
Eligibility
For undergraduate courses in New Zealand, aspirants need:
● Completion of class 12th or equivalent from a recognised university.● English Proficiency is the most important requirement through IELTS or TOEFL scores
For Postgraduate courses in New Zealand, aspirants need:
● Bachelor’s degree for three years of study obtained from a recognised university
● 16 years of learning and an honours degree
● Authenticated and certified copy of the graduation certificate
● Some industries in New Zealand prefer students who have work experience in their respective field.
● Statement of Purpose
● Letter of Recommendation
Popular Courses
The land of Kiwi’s is famous not just for its sports, nature, and agriculture, but also for some of these courses which rank amongst the best in the world.
● Information Technology- Not only is the faculty well versed and highly qualified, the infrastructure is also cutting edge and industry-backed.● Hospitality Management- Because of a robust tourism sector, the hospitality industry is on the rise. . This enables universities to back theoretical knowledge with workplace skills and get real-life practical experience and knowledge.
● Agricultural courses- There is no place other than New Zealand which has such a booming and flourishing agriculture and husbandry industry. The courses here are in-depth and research-driven, There is no dearth of practical training as well.
● Engineering- Bioengineering, mechanical engineering, computer science are some of the most popular engineering courses. This is because of the flourishing industry-specific education, infrastructure and modern and state of the art pieces of equipment.
● Tourism– The natural habitat, the pristine untouched lands, the sky, the mountains make New Zealand one of the hottest countries to visit. In New Zealand, a tourism course does not focus merely on the theoretical aspect but also uses practical and real-world experience and knowledge to make for a comprehensive course.
Scholarships
New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS)
This is a scholarship funded by the New Zealand government. It is available to research and postdoctoral Indian students pursuing their research in New Zealand. The quantum of the grant is up to 25,000 New Zealand dollars and is tax-free. It is given to cover tuition, living expenses, and health insurance for three years.
New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships- Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)
The grant is issued to Indian students pursuing their masters and PhD in New Zealand. The grant is to cover tuition fee, living, travel and health insurance. The quantum of the grant is full tuition fees, New Zealand dollar 491 per week of lifestyle expenses, New Zealand dollar of 3,000 is awarded as an establishment allowance.
New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA)
This is valid for all 8 universities and available for Indian students. The scholarship is awarded by Education New Zealand (ENZ) and New Zealand universities. The number of grants is 28 for PG courses and 3 for UG courses. The quantum of the grant is New Zealand 5000 dollars for PG and 10,000 New Zealand dollars for UG.
SEG Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded by the Soshi Educational Group. It is awarded to students of geophysics and geosciences (A&B) and (C) allied programs. The quantum of the grant is the Value of the scholarships
Scholarship A: NZD 7,000 annuallyScholarship B: NZD 5,000 annually
SEG Scholarship C: NZD 3,000 annually
Living Expenses
There are times when the decision to study abroad is fraught with financial worries. However, knowing the estimated costs goes a long way in making the right decision. The following is an approximate estimation of what living in New Zealand can cost-
Tuition costs
- Undergraduate courses- $20,500 – $25,000 per annum
- Masters program- $19,000 – $29,000 per annum
- Post- doctorate program- $6,500 – $9,000 per annum
- The most expensive program is an MBA – $31,000 – $50, 000 per annum
Accommodation costs
Living on university campus and dorms are cheaper than staying privately at $ 215-$ 555 per week
- Groceries- $ 75- $100 a week
- Eating meals outside- $200- $250 a week
- Health- $34.5 per week
- Transport- $79.5 per week
- Communication- $20 per week
- Other expenses $156- $224 per week
Visa Requirements
- A passport with a validity of 3 months post completion of the chosen program
- A letter of Acceptance from a recognised New Zealand University
- Academic transcripts of the education till application for a visa.
- Tuition fee payment receipt
- Financial solvency proof for undergoing the education. The amount needed to be available is NZ$15,000 for a full year of study or NZ$1,250 per month.
- Police certificate evidencing good character
- Proof of intention for return back after education
- Full medical examination report.
Work Opportunities
The immigration and migration flexibility gives international students and the workforce a welcome opportunity. It is convenient to study in New Zealand and find a job post-graduation. In a rough estimate, it is said New Zealand employs more than 45,000 people a year. This is a massive employment opportunity for students.
The country’s economy is growing at a steady rate of 3%, therefore, the demand is high for domestic and international labour.
People are commonly hired in:
●Professional Services – Engineers, Architects, Financial Advisors, Recruitment Consultants, Solicitors, Accountants, Surveyors & Property Professionals are in immense demand.
● Information Communications Technology (ICT) – While the demand for this sector is growing globally, there is a huge scope in New Zealand as well. The most in demand are developers across various computer languages like- HTML, SQL Server, C#, JavaScript, Front-end Web, CSS, Project Managers, and Engineers.
● Transport Industry– Mechanics, technicians, industrial drivers are all in demand here.
● Finance and Business- With growing industries, the scope and need for business and management graduates are much higher.
● Agriculture and Forestry are seen as growing sectors with huge demand for skilled labor.
Part-time work opportunities
The universities and the companies provide a lot of opportunities for internships and learning on the job. Most of the internship programs offer stipends.
- Apart from the internships, part-time job opportunities are also available in:
- Retail sales assistants
- Seasonal workers in orchards, vineyards, farms.
- Supermarket assistants
- Waitstaff and support staff in the tourism and hospitality industry
- Bartenders if you like mixing drinks are above 18
- Call centre work personnel
Students are eligible to work for 20 hours during a study week and 40 hours during breaks and holidays. Every student looking to work must have an IRD number from New Zealand’s tax department, Inland Revenue.
PSW Visa
New Zealand issues work visas valid for a duration between 1 to 3 years. The visa is granted to those students who have completed their course. The period varies on the nature of the course.
The work Visa issued by New Zealand is temporary. After the duration of the visa is over, a permanent residency permit needs to be applied for.
Life & Culture
Student life
Student life in New Zealand is one of safety, peace and comfortable living. Students are expected to work hard for their courses and yet work-life balance is not hard to achieve. The diversity of the cultures make learning a more holistic and enriching experience.
Students can explore nature and have a quiet time or choose to indulge in their choice of adventure sports.
Culture
New Zealand is multicultural. The 5 cultures that are predominantly found here are- New Zealand European, Māori, Chinese, Samoan and Indian. The citizens here are famous for being welcoming and warm towards everybody.
Famous places
New Zealand boasts of some amazing natural wonders. Snow-capped mountains, sparkling coves, rain forests, fjords amongst many others. New Zealand also has the world’s largest geothermal areas. The topography makes this a wonderland for a hot spot for adrenaline activities. It is a hub of all adventure sports like white water rafting, bungee jumping, skydiving, mountain biking amongst others.
While it boasts of many natural wonders, some of the more unforgettable places are-
● Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, South Island-
This iconic site has also been given the world heritage site tag. There are some spectacular sites where the fjords of Milford, Dusky, and Doubtful Sounds have been sculpted by glaciers. This is a popular destination for hikers
● Bay of Islands, North Island- One of the most popular holiday destinations in the country, this bay has more than 144 islands. The marine life here is extremely rich with the likes of Penguins, dolphins, whales, and marlin.
● Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park, North Island- Made up of jaw-dropping vistas with volcanic features. It is also important to the Maori culture. This Maori land was gifted to the people of New Zealand to protect its sacred culture.
● Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, South Island- These are part of the Southern Alps, the highest peak in New Zealand. 40% of this park is actually glaciers. Not only does this place house the highest peak and the longest glacier, but it also has uniquely abundant flora and fauna.
● Auckland, North Island- The city is also known as the City of Sails. This is not only the capital of New Zealand but also the most populous. Apart from being the most important city, it also is the land of beaches which have both white and black sand, rain forest hiking trails, picturesque coves, islands, and volcanoes.Other Popular Countries
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