Make a smart move in your EDUCATION & CAREER
New Zealand is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, just south of Australia. The country is not part of Australia and has never been (many people make that error), but it has been its own country since the late 19th century. Before then, the country was actually considered to be part of the United Kingdom, and was under the laws and jurisdiction of the crown. New Zealand is actually a number of smaller islands, with two main islands (the North Island, also called Te Ika-a-Māui by the natives, and the South Island, also called Te Waipounamu) that comprise most of the land area of the country.
WHY SHOULD YOU STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND ?
New Zealand, although it is the same size as Japan or Great Britain, but there are a lot of reasons that you should consider going there for your studies abroad. Many people will call natives of the country “Kiwis,” after the bird that only resides there and nowhere else in the entire world. There are a number of reasons that you should consider studying in New Zealand instead of considering other countries; that’s what we’re going to look at in this section of our website.
The people: Kiwis are some of the most amazing, loving, and welcoming people that you will ever meet. If you are a stranger, a native New Zealander is going to treat you like you are a friend. They are used to meeting new people, first because they travel a lot themselves, and also because a lot of people come to visit New Zealand as well. The culture on the islands is quite laid back and easy going, as well. So you’re not going to feel tense like you would if you went to a large city like London or New York City to study. There are just over 4 million people who reside on the country, and it is one of the safest places to live in the world. Another cool thing about the people is that there are so many different kinds of people. For being such a small country, the diversity is greater than you see in many European countries.
The stability: Some people say that, because the country is in a small corner of the world that doesn’t really get bothered by anyone that New Zealand seems to be secluded from the rest of the world. This isn’t true at all. As mentioned above, the people are really welcoming to outsiders. But, it can also be a great thing! The economy is actually incredibly stable, the cost of living is low, and the government is more stable (and less argumentative) than the governments that you will see in other countries. This is probably the reason that immigration is embraced, which we will talk about more in some of our later points.
The weather: Nothing can get better than the weather in New Zealand. The winters are mild, with temperatures around 10ºC (50ºF) and slightly wet. In higher altitudes, you will see snow, but it’s not common in lower altitudes. In the summers, the climate is warm and dry with temperatures around 25ºC (77ºF). As you would expect in the southern hemisphere, the summer lasts from December to February; winter lasts from June to August. Spring and fall are similar, with cooler temperatures and little rain.\
The educational system: This is the number one reason to go anywhere for school, but New Zealand is amazing for their educational system. First, the tuition is some of the lowest in the world. You get a British-based education (due to their British influences) for a percentage of the cost. The degrees are recognized around the world as being up-to-date and practical. You will get a high quality, hands on education that you deserve. The New Zealand even goes so far as to checking each and every course, program, and certificate for quality so that they can be recognized around the world as high-quality education. Not only that, but the support services for international students are among the best in the world. They have a lot of expertise and experience in helping international students so that they can succeed in their programs.
Never run out of things to do: This is an amazing opportunity for anyone who looks for adventure. In New Zealand, there are literally thousands of things to do. Do you like to hike? There are plenty of mountains for you to explore. Do you enjoy being a beach bum? Then you get to enjoy the beaches throughout the year. Want some excitement? There are always new things to do. The scenery is different depending on where you go; you could drive an hour and have a completely different geography. We’ll look at this more in our sports and recreation section.
Work opportunities: There are plenty of work opportunities available for international students. On a student visa, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week through the semester; during vacations you can work up to 40 hours. So, instead of having to worry about finances, you get to supplement your education with income. You may even be able to nab internships and other practical work. The international studies office at your university can help you find a job to sustain you during your time in New Zealand. Another great thing is that you can get a permit at the end of your degree program and work for 12 months in the country under a special “work permit” that is alongside your student visa, which is what we’ll look at closer in the last point.
Ease of visa acquisition and residency: The visa acquisition process is incredibly simple, and unlike many other countries, you will not be rejected right away. You get to talk to people and tell them your side of the story if there is something that may prevent you from getting a visa to come into the country. If you can explain why you’ve decided to go down there and your international studies program helps you to create a Statement of Purpose (a statement you give to the visa officer to tell them why you are coming to New Zealand to study), you will usually get a visa. The country is welcome to immigration, more so than almost any other country in the world. The last advantage is that, after you graduate, as mentioned above, you can work in the country for up to a year. If the job you are working at is related to the degree that you received, you can actually apply to get permanent residency, which you will most likely get within 6 months of your application.
NEW ZEALAND’s EDUCATION SYSTEM AT A GLANCE
The educational system in New Zealand is extremely varied and is one of the best in the world. According to scores, it has the highest levels of literacy, mathematics, and sciences in the country. The public educational system is one of the best funded in the world; New Zealand offers the highest percentage of public funding in education in the world. Several indices rate New Zealand as the number one country in the world for education.
So what makes New Zealand so unique? What makes it different than all of the other developed countries that provide education to their children? It is based on several things; first, because New Zealand natives believe in giving everyone the education that they deserve. There are many private schools, but because the country is so great at giving their public schools the monies they need, many parents are just as happy using the public system.
The other reason is because the educational system focuses on both practical and academic achievement. Instead of sticking to a regimen that no one really understands and doesn’t really tell us anything, the New Zealand public education system focuses on being open-minded and letting children explore, thus allowing them to learn in the best way that they can. This gets them ready for college or the workplace upon finishing their secondary education.
Primary and Secondary Schools
Almost all primary and secondary schools have a set schedule, usually from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. They go to school throughout the year, with four different terms spread out evenly. The terms are as follows:
- Term 1: February to mid-April
- Term 2: Late April to early July
- Term 3: Mid July to late September
- Term 4: Mid October to mid-December
There is a two-week break between terms one and two, two and three, and three and four. Between term four and the following term 1, there is a 6 week summer break, lasting part of December and all of January.
There are three types of primary and secondary schools that you will see.
- State-funded, or public, schools. These schools are free, with minor costs for books, school supplies, and uniforms (if they are used; most New Zealand schools have them). The school that a child attends is based on where they live
- State-integrated religious schools. There are a number of schools that are religious in nature (Catholic) which have been integrated into the public school structure. These are, of course, options for those who wish for their children to have a religious education. These schools are free, with minor costs for books, school supplies, and uniforms.
- Private schools cost anywhere from $4,000 to $28,000 a year. These may be religious, but they can also be more academically intense or provide options according to what a parent may want.
There are differences between primary and secondary school, but students must attend school from the age of 6 until they are 16. Here are some of the differences you will see.
- Primary school. From ages 6 to 12, a child attends primary school. Most primary schools have 23 to 29 students per teacher, sometimes less if it is a private or state-integrated school. Primary schools may include preschool, but there are also preschools that work on their own. Preschool is not required.
- Secondary school. Referred to as “high school” or “college,” secondary school has one teacher per 17 to 23 students; sometimes it is as low as 10 if it is a private or state-integrated school. Each secondary school uses a practical curriculum to help students get prepared for either the work world or higher education, and the curriculum is regulated by the Government’s Education Review Office. Some secondary schools will allow their senior students to take the Cambridge International Exam or the International Baccalaureate, which grant those credits and recognition in higher education programs worldwide.
Higher Education
Higher education is incredibly important, and we will explore it more in our sections that focus on the higher education systems. There are eight universities throughout the country, along with 18 technology institutions and over 600 training schools which help with specialized skills. Five of the universities in New Zealand are considered to be in the top 50 of the world’s universities according to the QS World Top 500 rankings. New Zealand is known for its business, technology, engineering, medicine, and biological sciences, and the schools are world class. The higher education program is subsidized by the New Zealand government for permanent residents.
Like you would expect from the Kiwis, New Zealand’s higher education system is also quite laid-back. Even though you have to meet vigorous requirements and have to do particular tasks in order to stay on a student visa, it is nowhere near as intense as going into an Ivy League school in New England or the Group of Eight in Australia. You will get a great education without the cost of your mental health in the process, which is a great advantage no matter who you are.
As you can see, the educational system, from primary school all the way to college, is a big focus for Kiwis. This is why many people decide to allow their children to do exchange programs and why college students will spend their entire academic career in New England. The focus on education plays a very large role in the overall attitudes about education. It is considered to be important, and that attitude rubs off in every aspect of Kiwi life. You can achieve your goals, no matter what education you happen to pursue.
BASIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
Undergraduate Admission: HSC or GCE “A” Level (a minimum of three principal passes in the appropriate subjects), the Australian matriculation or International Baccalaureate, Canadian Pre-University for Matriculation (OSSD). Minimum requirements of marks (CGPA) differ based on institutions and study programs.
Graduate Admission: A four/three-year undergraduate (Hons) degree programs (or equivalent) which is recognized in credential issuing country as well as in New Zealand. Student with pre-master’s program from recognized institution is also eligible for admission in master’s program. Minimum requirements of marks (CGPA) differ based on institutions and study programs. Student who has completed master’s program with required results and other supporting academic achievements can apply for admission in doctoral admission.
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS:
Acceptable proof of proficiency in English such as TOEFL or IELTS. The required English proficiency test scores vary from one institution to another based on students admission level. Students, who’s medium of instructions is in English at Previous institutions can be exempted from language proficiency test results requirements.
TEST SCORE REQUIREMENTS:
Generally no test score required for study in New Zealand. But scores are advantages if you have any.
SAT is not mandatory but considered as advantage to get admission in some highly ranked institutions for undergraduate programs.
GRE (non-business) / GMAT (for MBA/other business related field) is typically an advantage (not mandatory) for entry into master and doctoral programs in highly ranked institutions.
BASIC DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATION
ADMISSION RELATED REQUIREMENTS:
- A letter of Acceptance (Confirmation of Admission)
- All educational certificates & Transcripts (All documents should be translated to English if required with original and verified by Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
- Confirmation letter of any scholarship, grant, teaching or research assistantship including name of the providing institution or organization, awarded amount per semester or year and duration.
- All other supporting academic & Professional documents that you have provided to your institution for admission/Scholarship/credit transfer.
- Copy of IELTS/TOEFL Examination report.
FINANCING/SPONSOR/OTHER DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS:
- Copy of a valid international passport
- Two duly filled up copies of the visa application form
- Passport size color photographs.
- Birth Registration Certificate.
- Updated Resume / Curriculum vitae.
- Proof of financial capability: If applicant intends to personally finance his/her education, applicant should submit: Applicant’s bank statement of last six months/fixed deposits/shanchay patras & Signed letter from applicant acknowledging that he/she will finance his/her educational and related costs. If the applicant’s education will be financed by a sponsor, applicant should submit: Sponsor’s personal bank statement of last six months (in case of sole proprietorship sponsors, business bank statement may be considered), Sponsor’s affidavit of financial support to the student & Passport size color photographs of the sponsor (02 copies)
- Student verification fee
- Birth Registration Certificate.
- Updated Resume / Curriculum vitae.
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