New Zealand is a cost-effective alternative to the United Kingdom or Australia. It is a good option for students seeking outdoor adventure in an English speaking country. New Zealand is a welcoming nation offering a warm student friendly environment.

Studying in New Zealand can be a life-changing experience for you. Educational institutions in New Zealand offer a wide variety of courses and New Zealand welcomes international students at all of its institutions and It is gradually drawing itself towards the centre stage of international education. The education model adopted by New Zealand has fundamental principles taken from the United Kingdom’s educational model and hence it is more research and practical oriented.

Accomodation in New Zealand

Multiple accommodation options are available to students that include on-campus stay, homestay with a local family or off-campus accommodation in a rented flat usually shared by friends or acquaintances. Halls of Residence are generally located a short walk away from the campus where the rooms are single or twin-share, with communal laundry, lounge room and dining hall. Meals are usually provided, and all dietary needs can be catered for. Rental accommodation is generally clustered around colleges and universities, but flats can be found in most city suburbs.

Like any other country including India, the cost of living in metro cities is higher as compared to the regional areas of New Zealand. For example, the cost of living in Auckland will be higher than that in Hamilton. The average costs of living in New Zealand would range between $15000- $20000

Cost of Studying in New Zealand

Costs of studying abroad are an important factor in choosing your study destination. This section familiarizes you with the cost of higher education in New Zealand. When you compare the education costs in New Zealand to those of the United States of America or the United Kingdom, it is quite affordable.

The fees at the universities are calculated on a per course/paper or per point basis and may vary according to selection.

• Polytechnic Courses: These courses range from NZ$10,000 – NZ$15,000 per year depending on the course or degree
• University Degrees: These courses range from NZ$18,000 – NZ$25,000 per year for most of the under-graduation courses.
• Post-graduation courses in New Zealand start from NZ$ 40,000.
• The cost for courses in fields of Medicine and Engineering may be more depending on the university and city in which the university is based.

Admission in the universities of New Zealand.

To be eligible to study in New Zealand as a student your course must meet the New Zealand requirements for international students. Universities prefer applicants with a very good academic background and decent scores in TOEFL or IELTS. The main intake every year commences in Jun-July, Dec-Jan. June and July to Nov.

Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics have two semesters – February to – with holidays similar to secondary schools. Some half-year courses start in July.

Each university has its own timetable but generally, the year is split into 2 semesters of about 12 weeks each, with a 2-week break during the semester and a 6-week break in the middle of the year. The breaks are not necessarily holidays – you may need the time for research and study.

Top Universities & Colleges in New Zealand

New Zealand University and colleges are growing in the following areas of study:

Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine, Applied & Pure Sciences, Architecture & Construction, Engineering, Creative Arts & Design, Education & Training, Health & Medicine, Fitness & Personal Care and Travel & Hospitality.

1. University of Auckland

Ranked joint 82nd this year, the University of Auckland is consistently the highest-ranked of these top universities in New Zealand. It’s also the largest and most comprehensive university in the country, with more than 40,000 students enrolled at six campuses and eight faculties. Five of its campuses are in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland and the sixth is located in the country’s northernmost city, Whangarei.

2. University of Otago

The University of Otago climbs 18 places this year to now rank 151st in the world. The country’s oldest university (established in 1869), Otago is based in the city of Dunedin on the South Island. It has around 20,800 students enrolled and is noted for its attractive architecture and gardens, earning it regular inclusion on lists of the world’s most beautiful universities.

3. University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury is ranked 214th in the world this year and is another of the oldest universities in New Zealand, founded in 1873 as Canterbury College. Located in Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, the university hosts around 14,900 students, 1,100 of which are international.

4. Victoria University of Wellington

Located in New Zealand’s capital city Wellington, Victoria University of Wellington is up nine places this year to now rank 219th in the world. Founded in 1897, the university offers a broad range of programs and is considered particularly strong for the law, humanities and social sciences.

5. University of Waikato

Another university on the rise this year is the University of Waikato, climbing an impressive 32 places to now rank 292nd in the world. Mainly located in the city of Hamilton on the North Island, the university was established in 1964 as the first New Zealand university to be designed from a blank canvas.

6.Massey University

Massey University climbs 24 spots in this year’s ranking and is now joint 316th in the world alongside China’s Tongji University. Massey is known for the applied nature of its programs and close links to the community and is the only university in New Zealand to offer programs in aviation, dispute resolution, veterinary medicine, and nanoscience.

7. Lincoln University

Lincoln University continues to improve its position in this year’s ranking, climbing 24 spots to rank joint 319th in the world, sharing this position with two other universities. Lincoln specializes in improving New Zealand’s land-based knowledge, wealth and productivity, and is ranked among the global top 50 for agriculture & forestry.

8. Auckland University of Technology

Ranked 441-450 in the world, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is the final of these top universities in New Zealand. Originally founded in 1895 as Auckland Technical School, AUT was granted university status in 2000. AUT receives the highest rank of any New Zealand university (29th) for its international student ratio.

Student visa requirements

You can see a full list of student visa requirements and apply for your visa online at the Immigration New Zealand website. As a guide, you’ll usually need to provide the following documents with your student visa application:

• An offer of a place from an approved education provider
• Evidence that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees
• Your passport and acceptable passport-style photo(s)
• Proof of funds – $15,000 per year, to cover your living expenses
• A copy of your air ticket home, or proof that you have enough money to buy one
• An accommodation guarantee, if you’re under 18
• Your visa application fee
• You may also be asked to provide a medical certificate and chest x-ray, and a police certificate.

Most visitor, student and work visas take 20-25 working days to process but can take longer if more information is needed.