NEW ZEALAND

WHY STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND?

New Zealand is a very developed and one of the most peaceful countries in the world. The people are friendly and the country welcomes around 50,000 international students each year. The quality of education is great and recognized all over the world.

World Class Education

New Zealand provides world class education that is recognized all over the world. Universities in New Zealand offer variety of high quality courses in all major disciplines. New Zealand is fast becoming a hub of research and innovation. New Zealand Universities are among the best ranked Universities of the world.

Quality Assurance

New Zealand has a centrally managed quality assurance system. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) oversees and monitors each student enrollment at higher study institutes and ensures compliance with higher education standard. The Ministry of Education and the Universities themselves also have their quality monitoring mechanism.

Beautiful Country

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The country has stunning landscape with beautiful beaches, mountains and lakes. No part in new Zealand is more than 128 km far from the sea so there are a plenty of beaches. New Zealand is also the sea bird capital of the world. Whale and dolphin watching is another favorite pastime.

Excellent Infrastructure

New Zealand has a highly modern infrastructure in all areas. Rail tracks, roads and airstrips connect most of the country. Travel is cheaper for students in New Zealand compared to other people. Health facilities, communication system and educational institutes are world class. WiFi is free in places like Central Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.

Wide Range of Opportunities

International students in New Zealand can easily find jobs after graduation. New Zealand degree is accepted worldwide and you can find jobs in any job market of the world. New Zealand also provides option of visa extension for work and Permanent Residency (PR) for international students meeting certain criteria.

Stable Government

New Zealand is a parliamentary democracy and has one of the most stable government in the world. It is also the second most peaceful country in the world after Iceland. It is the least corrupt nation in the world according to a report from Transparency International. There are zero disturbances to study from things like riots, strikes and civil commotion.

Affordable Tuition Fees

There are five types of education institutions in New Zealand: Universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, specialist colleges, and Wānangas owned by the government. These institutes provide varying and flexible cost of study to suit every budgetary needs. Number of scholarships are available for international students in New Zealand.

Eco Friendly and Spacious

New Zealand is a very Eco friendly and sustainability oriented country. It protects its pristine ecosystem with great efforts. There is a strong go-green sentiment in the country. It is also a very spacious country with plenty of space to spread yourself. It is comparable in size to the UK but has a population of only 4.6 million.

Easy Visa Procedure

New Zealand’s Government has been providing high priority for international students coming to New Zealand. The visa requirement is not stringent and students meeting certain standards are easily awarded visa. The government has invested heavily in education so most Universities in New Zealand have more intake capacity than students.

STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND FAQ

What is the cost of studying in New Zealand?

There are many types of educational institutes in New Zealand for higher studies – Universities, colleges, polytechnics, private schools, government owned institutions etc. Therefore the cost of study varies greatly. However, students can expect an average cost of NZ $ 22,000 to NZ $ 32,000 per course for Bachelor’s level. The total cost for graduate level course in New Zealand ranges from NZ $ 10,000 to NZ $ 30,000. Cost of diploma courses in New Zealand ranges from NZ $12,000 to NZ $ 18,000 per course.

What is the cost of living in New Zealand for international students?

The cost of living in New Zealand depends upon the type of lifestyle you pursue and the place you choose to stay. If you are staying in New Zealand for more than a year then you must show at least NZ $ 15,000 per year as living support fund. This is based on NZ $1,250 per month of expenses.

Different Universities in New Zealand have their own recommended amount for student living cost. The Victoria University of Wellington recommends NZ $ 18,000 to NZ $ 27,000 per year. The University of Auckland recommends NZ $20,000 to NZ $ 25,000 per year. More information can be found at this study in New Zealand information center.

What about part time jobs while studying in New Zealand?

You can work part time while studying in New Zealand. Diploma and Bachelor’s level students can work up to 20 hours per week during academic year and up to 40 hours per week during session breaks. Master’s and PhD students can work up to 40 hours per week all year round.

Your Universities and colleges will help you in finding jobs so talk to their Student Help Desks. An organization named Student Job Service helps students find part time jobs. Contact them and visit job portals like Trade Me and Seek.

What type of part time work will I find in New Zealand?

You will find work as sales person in supermarkets, malls and groceries, waitress/waitresses at restaurants, orchards and farm workers, bar tenders etc.

What is the minimum wage in New Zealand?

The minimum wage in New Zealand is NZ $ 15.25 per hour.

Do I have to pay tax?

You have to. You need to register yourself with the Inland Revenue Department and get an IRD number before working. The tax rate for earnings less than NZ $ 14,000 per year is 10.5 %.

Can I work after my study in New Zealand is complete?

You can. You can apply for a one year visa to search jobs after completing your education. If you are successful in finding jobs, you can then apply for a two year work visa.

What are the provisons of scholarship in New Zealand for International students?

There are many scholarships and research grants available in New Zealand for international students. They are awarded by the Government of New Zealand, colleges and Universities, and various private and public institutions. Some popular scholarships in New Zealand for international students are New Zealand Development Scholarships, New Zealand Pacific Scholarships, New Zealand ASEAN Scholar Award, ADB Scholarship at University of Auckland, Victoria Masters Scholarship etc.

What are the accommodation option for international students in New Zealand?

You can stay in University hostels, private hostels and residence halls, apartments, home-stays, guesthouses or private rentals in New Zealand. Cost varies according to location and if or not you would like to rent the place in a shared basis.

Do I need to take tests like TOEFL/IELTS to get admitted to Universities in New Zealand?

You will normally need to take at least one English language proficiency test. The most commonly accepted tests are TOEFL and IELTS. Contact your college and University for the test they accept.

Do I need to take medical test before applying for New Zealand student visa?

You need to prove you are healthy before travelling to New Zealand. The type of proof you need to show depends upon where you are from and the duration of your stay. Nepali students will generally need to submit an X-Ray report and a medical test certificate before application.

Do I need insurance cover?

International students coming to New Zealand will need a travel and health insurance that covers their entire duration of stay in New Zealand. You need to submit the proof of policy at the time of visa application.

What is the weather in New Zealand like?

New Zealand is warmer in the northern region compared to the southern one. The northern part of New Zealand has warm and sub-tropical weather while the southern part is temperate and cool.
Because it lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the summer and winter cycle in New Zealand is different from Nepal. Winter lasts around June-August and summer lasts around December-February.

What are the popular recreational activities in New Zealand?

You can go hiking, swimming, boating or sun bathing in the beaches. Remember to wear sunscreen as New Zealand receives more amount of UV rays than other parts of the world. Concerts, food festivals and open air shows are other cheap ways having fun in New Zealand. Sports like Rugby, Cricket and Football are very popular in New Zealand. You can watch International and local teams in action with a small fee.

DOCUMENT CHECKLIST FOR NEW ZEALAND STUDENT VISA

Students about to go for study in New Zealand from Nepal must have the following documents before applying for visa:

Birth Certificate.
Citizenship Certificate.
Passport that is valid until your intended stay duration in New Zealand.
Letter of offer from your University or college.
Academic certificates till date, including character certificate.
A couple of passport sized photographs.
Proof of English Language Proficiency Test like IELTS and TOEFL.
Health and Travel Insurance.

X-ray and complete health checkup report. X-Ray screening is not necessary for pregnant woman and those under the age of 11.
Police Report.
Financial Documents – proof of funds and sponsorship agreements.
Completely filled student visa application form.
Cover Letter.
Visa application fee. Online student visa application fee is NZ $ 298 and paper based student visa application fee is NZ $ 354. This subject to change. Use this New Zealand visa application fee calculator for current charges.

FACTS ABOUT NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is an island country. The country is made up of two big islands – north and south islands – and 600 other smaller ones.
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. Auckland is the most populous city.
The total area of New Zealand in 268,021 square kilometer and its population is 4.6 million.
New Zealand’s per capital nominal GDP is US $ 44,693 – one of the highest in the world.
The currency of New Zealand is New Zealand dollar.
English is the most used language. Official languages are English, Maori and NZ Sign language.
‘Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu’ is the longest place name in the world. It is the name of a hill in New Zealand.
Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the world.
The world’s smallest dolphin species – Maui’s Dolphin or Popoto – are only found in the waters around New Zealand.

The first commercial bungee jumping started in New Zealand.
One among the first two men to climb Mount Everest, Sir Edmund Hilary, was from New Zealand.
New Zealand was the first country to grant women the right to vote.
Auckland, also nicknamed as the ‘City of Sails’, has more boats per capita than any other place in the world. There are 135,000 registered boats in Auckland. That equates to one boat per 11 people.
New Zealand has the world’s steepest road – Baldwin Street in Dunedin.
One third of New Zealand is protected as national parks and reserves.
Rugby is the national sports of New Zealand.
New Zealand is the only country apart from Denmark with two equal standing national anthems. They are ‘God Save the Queen’ and ‘God Defend New Zealand’.